Ernest (“Ernie”) Benesch, long-time San Francisco resident, passed away peacefully February 15, 2009 at the age of 95.
He is survived by his wife, Fritzi; his daughters Valli and Connie; his granddaughters, Michelle and Jaclyn; and his son-in-law Bob Tandler.
Ernie was born in Reichenberg, Czechoslovakia on Dec. 23, 1913, and he immigrated to San Francisco in 1938. Although Ernie escaped Nazi-occupied Europe, his parents, younger brother and many cousins perished in the Holocaust.
In World War II, Ernie served as a radio operator in the 1st Cavalry Division of the U.S. Army, fighting in the Pacific. He won a Bronze Star Medal for bravery.
After the war, Ernie worked for his cousin Trudy, a children’s wear manufacturer. There, he met his future wife, Fritzi Lehman, a German refugee. The couple married in 1946, and a year later, they co-founded Fritzi of California, which became a successful women’s apparel company.
Fritzi of California became known for employing many European refugees, and Jewish Family and Children’s Services presented the company with an award for its commitment to the immigrant population.
Ernie was known for his sense of humor and friendliness. He was an active man, who enjoyed opera, skiing, tennis and bridge.
A private memorial service was held Tuesday, Feb. 17 at Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place SW, Washington, DC 20024-2126, or your favorite charity.
C. Roy Calder in San Rafael on March 3, 2009. Beloved husband of the late Alice Calder. Loving father of Michael (Judith) Calder, and Jacky (Peter) Poulsen. Devoted grandfather of Brian (Vanessa) Calder, Deborah (Alan) Yost and Naomi Calder. Adoring great-grandfather of Liam Calder, Josie Calder, and Miles Yost. Dear friend to Inge Rosenthal.
Roy was born in Berlin, Germany and went to England in 1939 to avoid Nazi persecution. He served 6 years as an officer in the British army during WWII. After the Shoah he found himself the sole survivor of his family. He married Alice Baruch in 1942 in East Calder Scotland. In 1953 they immigrated to the U.S., and in 1956 they moved to San Rafael. Roy was actively involved in various civic, Jewish and Israel oriented organizations and spent many years as a professional fundraiser for The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He was a member of Congregation Rodef Sholom since 1956 and a past president. Roy was the founder and first president of the Northern California Society For Humanistic Judaism. Roy also served two terms on the Marin County Civil Grand Jury. He loved tennis and he traveled extensively.
A celebration of Roy’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 6th at Congregation Rodef Sholom, 170 N. San Pedro Rd., San Rafael. The family prefers that donations be made to Kol Hadash (the Community for Humanistic Judaism), P.O. Box 2777, Berkeley, CA 94710; Congregation Rodef Sholom; Jewish Family & Children’s Services; or Hospice By The Bay. Sinai Memorial Chapel.
David Melvin Hillman
December 31, 1919 — February 26, 2009
Son of Samuel and Rose Hillman, brother of Bill (& Ellie) Hillman & Aaron (& Beverly) Hillman. Married to Marian Hillman for 58 years. Father of Allan (& Sharon) Hillman, Don (& Charlene) Hillman, & Richard Hillman. Grandfather of 10; Great-grandfather of 26; beloved uncle & great-uncle to many.
Donations can be made to the Hillman Memorial Scholarship Fund: http://cloverleafbowl.com
Yael D. Kaniel M.D.
We lost our beautiful, brilliant, caring and delightful Yael on March 3, 2009.
Loving wife of Josh Zaretsky; beloved daughter of Batya and Aki Kaniel; cherished sister of Natalie Kaniel. Also survived by her stepmother Sharon Safdie; her stepsister and stepbrother Laura and Daniel Safdie.
Yael was a graduate of UCLA and the Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University, Israel. Upon her graduation Yael completed her residency at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and practiced pediatric medicine at Stanford Medical Center and in the community of Redwood City.
Yael was a longtime resident of Cupertino and a current resident of San Francisco. We were lucky to have Yael in our lives and she will always be with us, in our thoughts and in our hearts.
Gravesite services will be held on Friday, March 6, 2009 at 10 a.m. at Home of Peace Cemetery, 300 Curtner Avenue, San Jose, CA.
Contributions in her memory may be sent to the Dr. Yael Kaniel-Zaretsky Memorial Fund, at Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford, c/o Haya Barzilay, 1554 Arbor Street, Los Altos, CA 94024.