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Arthur

Gittleman

Obituary

Arthur Gittleman, the consummate perfect gentleman, husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday morning (October 6, 2010.) Arthur was 88 years of age and resided in West Hartford. Widely beloved and respected as a role model of the “greatest generation,” Arthur was born in New York City on September 25, 1922. His commitment to faith, family, and friends endeared him to all who knew and loved him. Arthur was the son of the late Anna Rosenthal Gittleman and Samuel Gittleman, and the last survivor of four siblings. He overcame an early life riddled with sorrow. His mother was too sick to take care of the children, due to diabetic complications, and so as a child, he, along with his eldest brother were placed in an orphanage and foster home for a short time. He spent summers with his uncle and aunt in New Britain and eventually lived with them where he attended grade school, junior high and high school where he was placed in the “RA” or rapid advanced classes. During that time, Arthur worked in his uncle’s company, New Britain Coal and Wood, with the rest of the Gittleman family delivering coal and wood and later drove an oil truck throughout his high school years. Known as “Pat” to his friends, he excelled in business courses and was a very competent typist and favorite of the girls (especially nurses). After graduating from high school at the age of 16 (the youngest in his class), he enlisted in the Marines in 1944 where his business skills were put to good use as an office administrator. After completing basic training at Paris Island, North Carolina, he was put in charge of tracking the troops that were sent to the Pacific warfronts. As part of the Rear Echelon, he traveled to various islands in the Pacific and served in Okinawa in 1945. His division was ready to ship to Japan when the war ended. He was then redirected to Tientsin in North China for one year where he became the staff sergeant for the US Marine Salvage Company and Shoe Repair for all the Marines in that area. He was honorably discharged from the service in 1947. In 1947, he married Edith Kriwitsky and lived in the upstairs apartment of Edith’s family’s home in Hartford. Shortly, thereafter the newlyweds moved to a newly-built housing project for veterans where their first child, Ann Louise, was born. Four years later, their second child, Stephen Paul, was born but died four days after childbirth. A year later, Edith and Arthur were blessed with another son, Stuart. Arthur, by this time, was in the liquor business and owned his own package store – Colt’s Package Store on Wethersfield Avenue in Hartford (1949- 59). In 1957, Arthur and Edith moved to their home in West Hartford where their children were raised and was the center for many family celebrations and events. After selling his package store throughout the next decades, Arthur became a liquor representative and worked for Mother Goldstein Wines and then for David Masnik Distributors and Crown Distributors. Ever the tireless worker, he also was a bookkeeper for Em’s Bakery in Hartford, bartended on weekends, and operated a home-based shuttle service for friends and associates. Through his service to the community, he was honored by the Hartford Hadassah Associates as “Man of the Year” in 1999 for his work in the Hadassah Thrift Shop. He was also a member of many local and national organizations. Arthur was affiliated with the Lone Star Battalion, Knights of Pythias, Jewish War Veterans, the Regents of West Hartford, the Masons, and served as the President of two credit unions – the North West Credit Union and the Walnut Credit Union. Even during his post retirement, Arthur maintained the books for First Lady of Nutrition, Inc., his daughter’s company. A nephew once joked that “retirement for Arthur meant two jobs, not three!”

Arthur is survived by his devoted wife of sixty three years, Edith, his daughter Ann Louise Gittleman and James Templeton of Post Falls, Idaho and his son and daughter-in-law Stuart and Sandra Gittleman of Cornelius, North Carolina. . He was the proud grandfather of Shira Beth Gittleman, Isaac Aaron Gittleman, and Daniel Ryan Gittleman and the “favorite” uncle of many nieces and nephews from coast to coast. Arthur loved people. He was a man of great character, empathy, wit, and charm. He had an incredibly beautiful heart and will be sorely missed.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, October 10, 2010 at 10:00 AM in the Chapel of the Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Ave., Hartford with interment following in the Emanuel Synagogue Cemetery, Berlin Turnpike, Wethersfield.

A memorial lunch gathering will be observed at the Hebrew Home and Hospital after the burial. Arthur’s widow, Edith, may be visited at the Hebrew Home and Hospital during the shiva week.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Arthur’s memory may be made to The Hartford Chapter of Hadassah in care of Faith Helene, 43 Carlyle Rd., West Hartford 06117.

For further information, directions, or to sign the guestbook for Arthur, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm

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Arthur Gittleman

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From: Kay Lavitt

From West Hartford, Ct`06105

Posted On: October 7, 2010

Edith: Please accept my deep sympathy- I always enjoyed meeting you and Arthur
usually at the Crown and he always had a few cute remarks to say- usually funny ones
and always relative to the times.

Kay Lavitt

From: Carol (Gittleman) & Michael Emerson

From Naples, FL

Posted On: October 7, 2010

Our family has lost a great member. I am so thankful I got to re-connect with Arthur and his family this past summer. I will cherish that afternoon forever. He was always so kind and with a great smile.

From: cheryl schulz upton

From jamestown, ri

Posted On: October 10, 2010

hi my name is cheryl upton. cheryl levy when art knew me at suburban pharmacy. he was a very sweet man. i didnt realize that marcia lovitz knew you anne louise. barry was my cousin.

i knew your family from plainville before i met art. arline and marvin gittleman and lisa, david and helene. i used to tutor lisa for hebrew school.

the last time i saw art, he was at the hebrew home. his room was next door to my mom's.

art will be sorely missed. my thoughts and condolences are with you and your family.

From: Cheryl (Gittleman) Fuelleman

From San Jose, CA

Posted On: October 10, 2010

Oh, how I loved Uncle Arthur! It was always so much fun to visit with him and his family. He was definitely my favorite Uncle. I regret that as we grew older and moved away from the area, we lost contact for some time. But he was always in my heart. I am grateful to have such fond memories of him and I know that his family has many, many more of them to see them through. Say hello to Dad (your brother Eddie) for us! All my best from our family to yours!
Your niece and family,
Cheryl (Gittleman) Fuelleman

From: Bennett N Zinkerman

From Newington, CT

Posted On: October 8, 2010

I knew your father, when I was in my teens, as the nicest person who helped my father so much with his knowledge and expertise in the liquor business. I will always be grateful for the help he gave our family. I did not know until today how distinguished a person he really was but I am not surprised. He will be deeply missed.
Ben Zinkerman

From: Daniel Gittleman

From Cornelius, NC

Posted On: October 15, 2010

Arthur Gittleman was, and still is one of the greatest men I will ever know. I will never forget him. He had a wonderful sense of humor, was generous, and took great interest in my life. He always made me feel so special. He served both his country and his family well. When he was with me I felt his warmth and it made me feel good to be alive! I loved my grandfather and he loved me, of that there is no doubt. I will see you again, Zadie. Love, Daniel

From: Isaac Gittleman

From Cornelius, NC

Posted On: October 15, 2010

I loved my grandfather very much. Every time I saw him, he was smiling, and he was so happy to see me! He took great care of my grandmother, and he was a good father. He was very devoted to his family. He loved taking trips, and eating at restaurants with our family. He served our nation as a Marine in World War II, and every time I hear of WWII I think of Zadie, and am proud of him and what he did for our nation. I would hope to be like my grandfather when I grow up.

We all loved you, Zadie. Rest in peace.

Isaac

From: Sandra Cushman Gittleman

From Cornelius, NC

Posted On: October 14, 2010

Dear Arthur, my beloved father-in-law, was one of the finest men I have ever known. To carry his good name is a great honor, and to pass on the legacy of his good name and life into the next generations is the greatest gift one can give.

I have many fond and cherished memories of Arthur. He was such a fine gentleman of good wit and cheer. I held him in high regard for good reason. Arthur was an excellent husband with unfailing devotion to his beloved wife, Edith. He never failed to honor her, to provide for her and esteem her above himself to his very last breath. He was also selflessly devoted to his children, Ann Louise and Stuart, always validating their multifaceted interests, talents and friends. He was readily available in the best fatherly ways with his time, wise counsel and support. He adored his grandchildren, Shira, Isaac and Daniel, and deposited such affection and affirmation as beloved Zadie. He took interest in whatever they did, big or small.

The world was a better place because of Arthur. He consistently valued and invested in people above things. Everyone knew him to be a man of valor, integrity, uprightness, kindness and humor. He was an intelligent man, yet reserved and humble; a keen realist, yet lived optimistically. To know him was to have a friend. He always left a good impression.

Arthur and I shared an endearing affection for each other, and I knew that he loved me as a beloved daughter. With a big smile, I have many memories of him loving my cooking, our home and family, including our dog, Jackson. How blessed am I to know him even through his son, Stuart, my beloved husband, who is in many ways like his Dad. I will always be grateful for Art, and will always remember him with great love and respect. He is already dearly missed.

From: Ann Cohan

From Atlanta, GA

Posted On: October 8, 2010

My Mother, Natalie Cohan, was dear friends with Edith and Arthur Gittleman. Arthur would pick Mom up many-a-Sunday and take Natalie and Edith out for breakfast. My mother always had said that Arthur was "one in a million" - next to our Dad, Jack, of course! My heartfelt sympathies to the family. Ann Cohan

From: Paula and Herb

From Mendham, NJ

Posted On: October 12, 2010

Ann Louise. We were so very fond of your father. We have been remembering the times we spent with him and Edith--meeting them in Lenox in 1991, being with them when they drove you to speaking engagements in the northeast, visiting you in their home in W. Hartford, having them as guests in our home, attending their 50th wedding anniversary. We remember visiting him in the hospital with you and James. He was the ideal father and friend. We had always thought we'd see him again. We send our love and deepest sympathy to Edith, Stuart and his family, and to you, dear Ann Louise and James. And we are very saddened not to have been able to be with you. Paula and Herb

From: Shira Gittleman

From Charlotte, NC

Posted On: October 8, 2010

Words cannot express how much I will miss my Zadie.I will miss his jokes,his big kisses and his big heart.I am truly grateful to have had him in my life.He was a wonderful man.

From: Linda Feldhouse

From Middletown, CT

Posted On: October 8, 2010

Uncle Arthur was always a favorite uncle of mine. To Ann Louise and Stuart and Aunt Edith, my thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Remember the good times and he will live on within your hearts.

From: Dan Kriwitsky

From Osprey, FL

Posted On: October 8, 2010

I have so many great memories of Uncle Art and the great family parties and holidays at Seminole Circle. Uncle Art was the most down to earth and decent man you could ever hope to meet.

From: Tami Oliver

From Rathdrum, ID

Posted On: October 7, 2010

ALG....My heart hurts for the pain you are feeling since Arthur passed....He will be missed dearly....Know in your heart that you made him proud and that you will always be his "daddy's girl".......May peace be with you always...

From: Elliott Donn, Post Historian

From Windsor, CT

Posted On: October 7, 2010

Dear Friends,

It was with great sadness that I just learned of Art's passing. Please accept the heartfelt condolences of all of his comrades in Hartford-Laurel Post 45 of the Jewish War Veterans. He will be missed.

We are grateful for his many years of support of JWV, and especially for his courageous service to this country.

May his memory be for a blessing, and may he rest in peace.

From: Ann Louise Gittleman

From Post Falls, ID

Posted On: October 7, 2010

My heart is overwhelmed with the outpouring of personal e-mails, telephone calls, and notes upon the passing of my beloved father, Arthur. I am a "Daddy's Girl" and will miss my father more than words can express. He was the gentleman's "gentle man" and I am sure that the angels are rejoicing because one of their own has returned home.

From: DIANE & ROY SPEISER

From JUPITER, FL

Posted On: October 7, 2010

Our fondest memory of Arthur was when he and Edith and AnnLouise visted my home for lunch in Glen Gove 7-8 years ago. He reminds me so much of my dad, loving, kind, gentle and very inteligent. Our condolences, love and prayers are with the entire Gittleman family.

Love Diane & Roy

From: Marcia Greenberg Lovitz

From Chesapeake, VA

Posted On: October 7, 2010

Ann Louise - don't know if you remember me but we went to Hebrew School together at Beth Hillel. Sorry to hear about your dad - although I don't remember him. I remember you and your mom. My mom, Jennie Greenberg, was in the Hebrew Home until August 31 when I air ambulanced her down to Virginia Beach so she could be closer to family since my brother,Larry Greenbeg, died in June. Please send my condolences to your mom as well, if you think she will remember me.

My husband (Barry Lovitz) who died in 1996 went to school and graduated with your cousin at Pulaski High School in 1962.

Again sorry for your loss.

Marcia (Greenberg) Lovitz

From: Stuart Gittleman

From Cornelius, NC

Posted On: November 11, 2010

I miss my father greatly. What a rare gift in life to share so many good years with him, but moreover, to thoroughly enjoy such a wonderful relationship with him, like that of a best and cherished friend. We spoke almost every day. He was not only my Dad, he was a man whom I deeply respected…an individual who earned my respect over and over again simply by who he was and by what he did…especially when no one was looking. Dad was a great encourager. He was indeed the quintessential mensch…THE mitzvah man! He always considered people and enjoyed doing acts of kindness. He left a rich and blessed heritage for his three beloved grandchildren by living with such thoughtfulness and integrity. Simply but profoundly put, Dad made others feel good.
Quietly and with dignity, my father passed away as he lived. Toward the end of his days, I listened to him as he wrestled with the paramount question, asking, “What is life all about, really?” With a sweet conclusion, he made his shalom with Almighty God and God’s provision for him. It was an honor to be his son, and to be known and loved by him unconditionally. He was the best.

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