Obituaries are supported by a generous grant from Sinai Memorial Chapel.
Allen P. Abramson
Oct. 16, 1942–April 12, 2024
Allen Paul Abramson, age 81, of Cortlandt Manor, New York, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2024. He was born on Oct. 16, 1942, in Bayonne, New Jersey.
Allen was a cherished man known for his warmth, kindness, and creative spirit, always accompanied by his delightful dry sense of humor. A devoted reader, he found immense joy in the works of Philip Roth, especially those that mirrored the landscapes of his youth near Newark Bay. Alongside his passion for books, Allen cultivated a talent for painting and various creative pursuits, and he was an avid jazz enthusiast. Professionally, he worked as an industrial designer and entrepreneur, forging many enduring friendships along the way.
After graduating from Bayonne High School, Allen continued his studies at Syracuse University, followed by Pratt Institute, where he honed his artistic abilities.
Family and friendships held a special place in Allen’s heart throughout his life. He leaves behind his loving wife, Elaine Paris, son Lorne Abramson (Elana Lieberman), daughter Brett Pels (Alex Pels), grandchildren Alec Abramson, Molly Abramson, Cleo Pels, and Jett Pels, niece Amanda Miller (J. Edie DeNiro), brother-in-law Ron Miller (Jane Meisel) and former wife (and the mother of his children), Marjorie Abramson. He was also blessed to have two loving stepchildren, Benjamin and Jennifer Grossman, and a wonderful step-grandson, Noah Grossman. Allen was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and Pearl Abramson, and his sister, Anita Miller.
In remembrance of Allen’s legacy, contributions can be made to the Bayonne Jewish Community Center, with attention to Dr. Ellen Goldberg (jccbayonne.org).
May Allen’s creative spirit and loving nature continue to inspire all who knew him.
Hon. Charles Gordon
Nov. 13, 1932–April 1, 2024
The Hon. Charles “Chuck” Gordon, longtime Mountain View community leader and the first Jewish mayor of Mountain View, passed away on April 1 at age 91 surrounded by family and his loving wife, Dorothea.
Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, to Patricia and Herman Gordon, Chuck was inseparable from his younger brother, Bobby, despite their dueling allegiances to the Red Sox and Braves. The brothers came of age in New England, surrounded by a close-knit family and over 25 first cousins.
At the Fay School and Phillips Academy Andover, Chuck was a standout student athlete. He graduated Harvard in 1954 and moved west for Stanford Law School, where he met and married his soulmate, social worker Dorothea M. Deutsch of Seattle.
Chuck served in the National Guard and later as a JAG Reserve before starting a private practice in Mountain View. In 1977, Gov. Jerry Brown appointed him to the Santa Clara County Superior Court, where he served with distinction for 19 years. At 30, Chuck became the youngest council member in Mountain View’s then 60-year history. He was re-elected to four terms, including two as mayor. He was also the first Jewish mayor of Mountain View. Known for his integrity, generosity and effortless humor, Chuck advocated for thoughtful urban growth and led development of Cuesta, Shoreline and Rengstorff Parks, as well as Mountain View’s first library.
Although an East Coast expat, Chuck became a loyal NorCal sports fan — even when vehemently disagreeing with the play calling (he insisted the Giants should bunt more often). He also pursued an eclectic range of hobbies, including photography, fishing, tap dancing, the clarinet, ceramics, and gardening.
Besides schooling his progeny at Wizard, Gin Rummy and baseball, Chuck led a robust post-retirement life filled with travel, officiating weddings, time with grandchildren, and philanthropic roles at El Camino Hospital and Los Altos Golf & Country Club. Critically, he made the switch from tennis player to irrepressible golfer and would routinely impress with his soft touch (and witty banter) near the green.
Chuck was blessed with a kind and supportive team of caretakers, family and friends, led by his eternally devoted and selfless Dorothea, who brought comfort and dignity to his final years. Father, grandfather, husband, brother, son and friend, Charles “Chuck” Gordon was deeply devoted to his family, friends and the community he loved. He is survived by his wife, Dorothea M. Gordon; children Lisa, Mark, and David; daughter-in-law Elsie; grandchildren Eve, Aaron and Camille Zelinger, Jake and Max Gordon; brother Robert F. Gordon and Robert’s partner, Marjorie Mann.
Bernard S. Greenfield
Dec. 2, 1947–April 8, 2024
Bernard S. Greenfield, a titan among trial attorneys, concluded his remarkable journey on April 8, 2024. Born on December 2, 1947, he leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, and profound impact. Married for 50 years to Rochelle Greenfield, the love of his life, Bernie cherished his role as a devoted father and father figure to all who had the privilege of being around him. He is survived by his wife, Rochelle, daughters Lisa and Janet, sons-in-law Yaakov Strauss and Tyler Davis, and his beloved granddaughters who brought him immense joy, Lyla and Remy Strauss, Zella and Maisie Davis. A cherished brother to Esther Morris and David Greenfield, brother-in-law to Joseph Burman and Michael Morris, uncle to Andrew Burman, Jeffrey Morris, and Evan Morris and family.
Bernie loved being an attorney. A fearless litigator, a formidable presence in the courtroom, and powerhouse of the profession, he demonstrated daily his reverence for the practice of law by following its dictates of zealous advocacy and abiding an unwavering commitment to his clients. Generous with his partners, young attorneys, and his employees, Bernie was always happy when he was amongst the legal community. A proud member of the Santa Clara County Bar Association, he was honored as Lawyer of the Year in 2019, a testament to his unparalleled dedication and skill in the legal profession. The law firm that he built, and which today bears his good name, is the provenance of innumerable legal careers, countless friendships, and Bernie’s esteemed reputation. He leaves an indelible mark after his 47 years of practice.
Bernard’s impact transcended the courtroom, as he served as a beacon of mentorship. His passion for education extended to leading teams of students through mock trial programs for years, most recently at Willow Glen High School. Additionally, his leadership as one of the core founders of LGCS Fastpitch nurtured young softball players and instilled a love for the game. He loved being in the stands cheering on every single player.
Funeral services were held at Congregation Shir Hadash in Los Gatos on April 11, with burial at Los Gatos Memorial Park in San Jose.
Bernie’s larger-than-life spirit will endure in the hearts of all who knew him, remembered for his unwavering passion, integrity, and love for his family and friends.
Donations may be directed to Yavneh Day School (yavnehdayschool.org), where his granddaughters, Lyla and Remy, attend, and Congregation Shir Hadash (shirhadash.org), where Bernard and Rochelle were cherished members.
Yoram J. Litwin
1942–2024
Yoram Litwin passed away on Feb. 21, 2024.
In 1939, his parents, Sonia and Borek Litwin, fled the Nazi invasion of Poland and Yoram was born in 1942 in Bashkiria, Russia. His family spent the war years in Siberia and then returned to Lodz, Poland, before making aliyah to Israel in 1956. Yoram attended high school in Tel Aviv and served in the Israel Defense Forces. He studied engineering at the Israel Institute of Technology and, eager to further his education, attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, to earn his Ph.D. in civil engineering. While in Wisconsin, he and his former spouse, Ruti, had three children, Yaron, Anat, and Aytan.
Yoram came to Berkeley to accept a faculty position at the university and later established his own consulting firm, Ramlit Associates, with a dedicated focus on addressing the environmental impact of underground water contamination. He completed multiple large-scale collaborative projects across California and beyond.
Yoram was an active, athletic man and enjoyed sailing, camping, skiing, Israeli folk dancing, and hosting vibrant parties. He was an avid reader and learner, always seeking out books and documentaries about WWII, the Holocaust, and historical biographies. Though living in California, he frequently traveled back to Israel, and it was on one such visit that he met his wife, Titi Singer. Together, Titi and Yoram traveled the world, spending five months in the Far East, Central America, and beyond. They had three children, Liat, Shani, and Tal. As a dedicated father of six, Yoram organized camping trips, encouraged the study of Jewish and Holocaust history, and inspired his children to share his love of chess, camping, ping-pong, and hiking.
When Yoram was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD), he faced life with unwavering resilience. He maintained his fitness and managed his business until his physical limitations inevitably took their toll. After retirement, he immersed himself in books, family, travel, took long walks in the Berkeley hills, and participated in the PD classes led by the late John Argue. Because he remained so active, he was able to significantly slow the progress of his disease. When no longer able to walk, he did therapy at home and participated in virtual dance classes. His physical therapists called him “a bright exampleof resilience and inspiration.”
Yoram’s spirit, his love for life and dedication to learning leaves an enduring legacy. He is survived by his loving family, including Titi, his wife of 34 years, sister Ola Singer (Dov), six children, seven grandchildren, and a wealth of memories that represent a life lived to the fullest.