Arthur William Feinstein, born February 3, 1920 in Deep River, husband of 66 year to Rhoda (Grodin) Feinstein, and long-time resident of Brainard Road, West Hartford, died at home on Monday, December 29, 2014, a month short of his 95th birthday. The middle son of Sadie (Shapiro) and Jacob Feinstein, he grew up in Chester with his brothers Stanley and Malcolm, both deceased. He attended Wesleyan University, living with members of his mother’s family and then attended New York University and Hartford College of Law, now UCONN, under an accelerated program permitting him to enlist and enter the war in 1942. He rose to the rank of Master Sergeant in the motor pool and landed at Normandy three days after D-Day. He received the Silver Star for his heroism in braving enemy fire to assist the invasion force in crossing the Rhine. As the war was ending, Master Sergeant Feinstein participated in the liberation of the Thereseinstadt concentration camp.
Returning to Hartford, Attorney Feinstein initially practiced with Cole and Cole before going off on his own, in partnership with Milton Krevolin and Samuel Freed. He practiced law in Hartford for almost 50 years.
Mr. Feinstein was active in the community. He was a founding member and then president of Beth El Temple of West Hartford. He served as president of the Greater Hartford Jewish Federation and as president of the Hebrew Home. He was also a generous contributor to numerous causes and charities. A strong supporter of the State of Israel, Mr. Feinstein led numerous missions to Israel to foster American support for the Jewish state.
For Arthur Feinstein, supporting and being with his family was his highest value. He is survived by his wife of 66 years Rhoda Grodin Feinstein; three children Carol (Jon) Plotsky of North Potomac, MD, Andrew (Liz Bochain) Feinstein of Stonington, CT and Nancy Feinstein of Pawcatuck, CT; four grandchildren Katie and Zoe Feinstein and Ben and Deborah Plotsky and two great grandchildren Jacob and Savannah Feinstein.
Funeral services to be held at Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Avenue, West Hartford on Wednesday, December 31 at 11 am. Interment will take place at the Beth El Cemetery in Avon. The family will sit Shiva at his home, 29 Brainard Road, West Hartford on Wednesday, December 31 from 2 to 6 and on Thursday, January 1 from 2 to 6. No flowers, please. Donations in his memory may be made to the Arthur and Rhoda Feinstein Fund at the Hebrew Home of Greater Hartford, to Wesleyan University, or to the Greater Harford Jewish Federation.