Lillian Block
Lillian Block died peacefully in her sleep August 25, at age 101. Wife of the late Abe Block and beloved aunt of Alan (Annealisa) Dworkin, Paul Dworkin, Louis Myerson and the late Roger Pollack. Great-aunt to many nieces and nephews. Also survived by granddaughter Jesse James, cherished family member Dorothy Pedrizetti and stepson Calvin Block. Predeceased by siblings Irving and Morris Myerson, Gena Dworkin and Freda Pollack. She will be deeply missed by her wonderful circle of friends at the Rhoda Goldman Plaza. Special thanks to the caring staff of Providence Place in S.F. Private funeral services were held at Eternal Home Cemetery in Colma. Donations may be made to the City of Hope or to the S.F.-based Jewish Family and Children’s Services.
Sinai Memorial Chapel
Libitzky, Martin 1916-2012
“Every day is a beautiful day when you wake up to see it.”
So said Martin Libitzky, who passed away August 22, 2012 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida at age 96.
Born May 26, 1916 in Lodz, Poland, he was a survivor of the Holocaust.
“Prescriptions” for life:
“The sun is always shining above the clouds.”
“You live your life one day at a time.”
Everyone who knew Martin called him a “philosopher.”
Martin had an authentic honesty, warmth, positive attitude and joy of life. He would do anything for his family and friends.
He is survived by Eva, his beloved wife of 66 years, his son Moses and wife Susan of Piedmont, his daughter Anne, and husband Nathan Petrowsky of Danville, and his daughter Ellie Caruso of Del Ray Beach, Florida. He has five grandchildren, Sharon and Stacey Petrowsky, Michelle Caruso Otenberger, Paul Caruso, Michael Libitzky, and two great-grandchildren, Madison and Nolan Otenberger.
Anne called her father “Tata” and recalled him saying, “Eva, have I told you today that I love you?” Drove Eva nuts!!!!
Ellie, the poetess of the family, wrote “From the beginning, he was my father, And he fought till the very end, My daddy forever my hero, And forever my daddy, my friend.”
Community leader, Moses, held up a picture of himself at 18 months old, sitting on his father’s shoulders and said, “Dad, I love you and truly feel that I sit on your shoulders.”
Funeral services were held Friday, August 24 at Home of Eternity in Oakland.
Donations may be made in memory of Martin Libitzky to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., 100 15th St. SW Washington DC 20024, Lehrhaus Judaica, 2736 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94704, or to the Holocaust Documentation and Education Center, 2031 Harrison St., Hollywood, FL 33020.
Gerry Schloss
Gert (“Gerry”) Schloss passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at 90 years of age in his Atherton home on Saturday, Aug. 18. A Jewish native of Hanover, Germany, he and his immediate family fled to the U.S. in 1939. Arriving here with nothing, he was always grateful for the opportunity his new home provided.
Gerry met Joan Gastineau, his wife of 67 years, in San Francisco, and they both served in the Navy during WWII. They later had three sons and built a successful textile business. Gerry loved his wife & family, flying, playing tennis into his 90s, international travel, a great sense of humor, and a close circle of dear friends.
He is survived by his wife, sons Jeff (Melody), Ron and Bob, his grandchildren Nathanael, Micah (Nicole), and Gabriel, his great-granddaughter Grace, his sister Inge Lehman Schloss and her daughters Yvonne & Deborah, and numerous other nieces and nephews. The family will host a celebration of his life at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 15 (his birthday) at the Menlo Circus Club. Contributions in his name can be made to Pathways Hospice Care or another charity.