Lt. Col. Merrill R. Cohn. U.S. Army, Ret. — Entered into rest, San Mateo, Calif., July 20, 2005. Beloved husband of Mildred Cohn; dear stepfather of Andrea (Lindell) Blair and Douglas (Patty) Shemock; loving grandfather of Brian, Danae, Robert, Heather, Emily, Vanessa, Madeleine and Gwen and great-grandfather of Luclus and Ava; devoted brother of Roberta Kapkin and Harriet (Larry) Max. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. He was the son of the late Nathan and Dora Cohn. A native of San Francisco, CA. age 78 years. Retired from the U.S. Army after serving during WWII, Korean Conflict and Vietnam War and from the City and County of San Francisco after 25 years of service. Merrill was on the Board of Directors for the East West Shrine Football Game, San Francisco Scottish Rite Bodies, Cable Car Museum (where he judged the Bell Ringing Contest on July 14th). A member of Pacific Starr King Masonic Lodge No. 136, F.&A.M., Asiya Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. of San Mateo, Bay City Lodge No. 71, I.O.O.F., Society of Civil Engineers and the Board of Appeals for SamTrans. Funeral services were held at the Fireside Chapel of Skylawn Memorial Park, San Mateo, with Rabbi Alan Berg officiating and under the auspices of Pacific Starr King Masonic Lodge No. 136, F.&A.M. The family prefers donations to Shriners Hospital, 2425 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817 or the charity of your choice.
Daniel Fischer (Ben Hayim) in San Francisco on Aug. 16, 2005. Beloved father of Benjamin, Aaron and Batya Fischer; loving grandfather of Bridget Fischer-Linkogle; dear brother of Marian Dolgoff and Joan Avigur; dear uncle to four nieces and nephews. A lover of music, he was a member of the Jewish Home chorus and he loved to play classical music on the piano. Graveside services were held at Eternal Home Cemetery, Colma. Contributions to the Jewish Home preferred.
George I. Hoffman passed away peacefully in his San Francisco home on August 12, 2005, surrounded by his adoring wife and children. He was 92 years old. He was born in S.F. to Samuel and Clara Hoffman. Soon after passing the California Bar in 1935, George Hoffman entered the U.S. Army in 1941 to serve under General George Patton, and was recognized with the Bronze Star and eight other awards and decorations for service in the England, France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Germany campaigns, including the Battle of the Bulge. Upon returning to S.F. at the end of the war, George Hoffman went on to build a highly successful law practice as a renowned litigator and general practice attorney for 68 years. During that timeframe he also served as pro tem Judge, was commended for his service by the U.S. Court of Appeals, and was appointed by President Nixon and Governor Reagan to five years on the U.S. Selective Service Board, among many other distinctions. Throughout his career George Hoffman was very active in making significant monetary contributions to a large number and diverse range of worthwhile nonprofit organizations through the Hendry Foundation, of which he was President, and as trustee or executor of client estates. Additionally, he served the California Pacific Medical Center for over 35 years, serving on the CPMC Foundation’s Board of Director’s Planned Giving Committee for over 10 years, and receiving the CPMC Foundation’s Raymond Hanson Memorial Award in 2005. He was also an active, long-time member of the Board of Directors of the CPMC Community Health Resource Center. George Hoffman was a devoted leader of major organizations within the S.F. Jewish community, having served as President of Congregation Sherith Israel, the Hebrew Free Loan Association, and Sinai Memorial Chapel. He was an active founding member of the Jewish Vocational and Career Counseling Service. He was widely recognized as a highly enthusiastic, innovative, deeply committed and involved leader, creating numerous initiatives that enabled the organizations to grow and better serve their constituents. George Hoffman’s greatest joy was his family. Sophie Hoffman, to whom he was married and in love for 66 years and with whom he shared everything, knew no limitation or boundary in her unfaltering love and loyalty to her husband. She was by his side as a devoted, supportive wife, for every hour of his long term illness. His son Ted Hoffman, married to Wendy Strickman Hoffman, was his father’s loving caregiver seven days a week. Ted’s lifelong respect and devotion for his father recognized no sacrifice as too great in caring for him. His daughter Carol DeCanio, and grandsons, Jonathan, Samuel, and Aaron, lovingly hold him in the highest esteem. He showed them the importance of following God’s commandments. His exemplary life was always loving, principled, compassionate, generous and honorable. George Hoffman was an extraordinary human being. He had a profound influence on each member of his family and the beliefs and values they learned for the conduct of their daily lives. Even though he was a dynamic community leader and attorney, his core was one of gentleness, kindness and caring. He taught by his example, not by lecture.
George Hoffman’s compassion was for all people, and he abruptly stopped whatever he was doing to welcome any opportunity to help his family and people from all walks of life that were in need of counsel or assistance — regardless of their economic means. He was a man of modesty, and demonstrated the highest form of integrity throughout his life. He always thought of himself last. It’s as though his purpose on earth, all of his life, was to serve others. George Hoffman’s love for his family, and all those he touched, will never be forgotten. He lives within us. He was so very special to us all. Private services were held. A public Tribute to George I. Hoffman will be held on Sunday, August 28, 2005, at 2:30 p.m., at Sinai Memorial Chapel, 1501 Divisadero Street (at Geary), S.F. Contributions in George Hoffman’s memory may be made to the California Pacific Medical Center Foundation — The Dementia/Memory Clinic at CPMC (attn. Jana Cuneo), P.O. Box 45902, San Francisco, CA 94145-0902.
Anne Levine, Sunnyvale, passed away at the age of 98 years. Wife of the late Leo Levine. Beloved mother of Carol L. Weiss (Dr. Jeffrey M. Weiss) and Dr. Stanley I. Levine (Louise R. Levine). Cherished grandmother of Erika L. Weiss, Theodore E. Weiss, Elizabeth J. Levine, Andrew B. Levine (Cantor Lisa Levine) and the late Howard M. Levine. Proud great-grandmother of Emily Rose, Louis Benjamin and Sarah Faye Levine. A Life member of Hadassah and a member of Congregation Beth David, Saratoga. Funeral services were held in New York.
Eugene Efim Shapiro, MD Born in Ufa, Russia, Jan. 19, 1918. Passed away, Aug. 21, 2005 after a long illness. Survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Mary, son Stephen, daughter Linda Greenberg and her husband Ron, and 2 grandchildren, Nicki and Lauren. Sister-in-law Eleanor Aronovsky and her children Ron, Marsha and Susan. Eugene practiced medicine in S.F. for 50 years and will be missed by his friends and family. He was on the attending staff at Mt. Zion, French Hospital, Marshall Hale and Calif. Pacific Medical Center. He was a member of Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity for many years. At his request, interment was private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the American Heart Association.