Obituaries are supported by a generous grant from Sinai Memorial Chapel.
Sharon Harriet Fomil
Sharon (Wisefield) Fomil passed away March 28, 2025, after a brief battle with stomach cancer. Sharon was born in San Francisco to Samuel and Sarah. She was raised in San Francisco with her brother Howard (z”l), graduating from Lowell High School. She met Eric (z”l), her husband of 55 years, at the Jewish Community Center. Eric and Sharon raised two children, Michael and Jessica, in Burlingame. They joined Peninsula Temple Sholom in 1972 and remained active members for decades.
With Eric’s guidance (and insistence) Sharon led an active life, enjoying water skiing, snow skiing, and tennis and golf regularly. She was a doting mother to her two children and could be counted on to supply junk food for their neighborhood friends. She sent excellent care packages to college.
Sharon’s pastimes expanded when her grandchildren arrived. She drove each of them to Half Moon Bay for swim lessons and hosted swim parties for their friends, parents, and family.
To spend more time with Jessica, her husband Aaron, and their kids, Eric and Sharon joined Peninsula Sinai Congregation. They quickly became valued members of another Jewish community. After Eric passed away in 2021, Sharon moved to the Versailles in San Mateo and remained busier than most teenagers.
Jack Goldsmith
April 18, 1931–April 10, 2025
Jack Goldsmith, a cherished member of the Rossmoor community in Walnut Creek, passed away on April 10, a week before his 94th birthday.
Jack was known for his irrepressible wit, prodigious command of current events, passion for travel and devotion to family.
After a distinguished academic career on the East Coast and in Southern California, Jack returned to his native Bay Area in 1999 with his beloved wife Barbara Goldsmith — a retirement that he often said eclipsed everything that came before.
He was born in San Francisco on April 18, 1931, to Clare and Lawrence Goldsmith, who later ran the Allendale and Hopkins movie theaters in Oakland. Jack drew from those origins a vast knowledge of classic cinema that was as familiar to his family and friends as his waggish sense of humor.
A UC Berkeley grad, Jack completed his political science doctorate at UCLA with a study of police response to the Watts riots. His work continued to focus on criminal justice, but also helped to make the national parks more welcoming to minorities and to document the contributions of Dust Bowl migrants in California. Faculty posts included the State University of New York, Albany; the American University in Washington, D.C.; and California State University, Bakersfield.
Jack, whose marriages to Joan May and Sharon Sweeney ended in divorce, married Barbara Kaufman Green in 1998. Upon his retirement from Cal State Bakersfield the next year, Jack and Barbara moved to Vallejo and then Walnut Creek.
Their travels took Jack and Barbara to Europe’s great museums, to the high seas on 20 cruises, to Australia (where Jack and Barbara both had family roots), and onto a canoe in Italy’s Blue Grotto (where Jack burst out in spontaneous song).
At Rossmoor, a treasured part of their lives was spending time with Jack’s widowed Aunt Ruth Resch, who passed away in 2021. Jack was also predeceased by his older brother Lewis Goldsmith, and by Barbara’s son Danny Lee Green Jr.
In addition to Barbara, Jack is survived by his younger brother Ernest Goldsmith (Tanya); nephews Steven Goldsmith (Kristin) and David Goldsmith and niece Julie Goldsmith (José); cousin Sanford Davis; Barbara’s son John (Carol) and grandchildren Tyler Green, Kayla Green, Elizabeth Gonzales, Danielle Green, Brandon Obar and Daniel Green.
Interment was at Oakmont Cemetery in Lafayette.
Linda Harris
Nov. 29, 1946–April 11, 2025
It is with great sorrow that we inform you of the death of Linda Terese (Kahn) Harris. Linda was a devoted wife, a loving mother, a cherished mother-in-law, a wise grandmother, and a dear and caring friend to all who knew her. Her warmth, generosity, and unwavering kindness left an indelible mark on everyone she touched.
Linda was born in Chicago to Siegmund and Dora Kahn (of blessed memory). From an early age, she exhibited a passion for art and education which continued throughout her life.
Linda’s first love was her family, followed closely by her Judaism, these two loves being closely intertwined. Her weekly Mah Jong games were a special time. The enjoyment of her trips to Hawaii was evidenced by the lovely photos she posted on Facebook. She had a knack for making everyone feel valued and heard. Finally, a description of what defined Linda would not be complete without mentioning her devotion to everything Jane Austen.
Linda is survived by her husband Louis of 57 years, children Michelle Gross (Andrew) and Robin Slipock (Brian), her beloved grandchildren Dina Pawley (Jonah) and Rebecca Gross, her brother Egon Kahn, and her very special nieces and nephews.
The funeral and burial were held April 15 at Hills of Eternity Cemetery in Colma. Donations in Linda’s honor can be made to Peninsula Sinai Congregation in Foster City, CA, peninsulasinai.org.
Don Surath
Jan. 23, 1945–April 10, 2025
Loving husband and proud father, author, university lecturer, former school teacher, radio personality, community activist, sartorial icon, Hash House Harrier, sports maniac, and most of all, consummate salesman, Don Surath was born to Morris and Rose (née Smith) Surath in Detroit, Michigan, on January 23, 1945. Eighty years later, a ruptured aneurysm cut short his lunch with a friend. (Given the number of friends Don had and the number of lunches committed to, the odds that he would go this way were high.) He passed away the next day peacefully in Redwood City, California, on April 10, 2025, with his hospital room and the hallway beyond packed with friends and family.
He leaves behind his wife, Susana, and his daughter by his second marriage, Marlo. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Alice.
Private services held at the family’s request. Memorial donations may be made to Muttville (muttville.org). In honor of his wishes, he will be laid to rest in the same cemetery as Wyatt Earp.
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