Benjamin Goldstein, 93 of West Hartford passed away on Sunday, March 13, 2016. He was the husband of Kayleen Kagan Goldstein, the highlight of his life for 65 years. The son of Harry and Fannie Goldstein, Ben was born and raised in Hartford. A graduate of Weaver High School class of 1940, he attended Northwestern University and graduated from the University of Hartford with a degree in Public Administration. In 1946, he was appointed to the Hartford Police Department and retired as Deputy Chief in 1968. Mr. Goldstein then served as Deputy Director of the Connecticut Justice Commission and numerous boards and commissions under five governors. He had a distinguished military career for 33 years in the Connecticut National Guard, which included active duty with General Patton’s 3rd Army in World War II and in Korea with the 24th Infantry Division from 1951-1952, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Active in the Jewish War Veterans Post 45 for many years, Ben was an early post commander. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Rocky Hill Veterans Hospital and for over ten years was a probation officer volunteer in the Circuit Court System. Ben was a longtime member of Beth Hillel Synagogue, and served as vice president and a member of the board of directors for many years. Besides his wife Kayleen, he is survived by his wonderful children, Sharon and Alan Budkofsky, Jeffrey and Christine Goldstein, and Amy Goldstein, devoted grandchildren, Alyssa Budkofsky, Marc Budkofsky and his wife Jillian, Adam Goldstein and his fiancée Lauren Greider and Jennifer Goldstein, sister-in-law and brothers-in-law, Tovia and Bert Sillman, David and Barry Kagan, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Lt. Arnold Goldstein of the Hartford Fire Department.
Funeral services will take place at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 in the Chapel of the Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Avenue, Hartford with Rabbi David J. Small officiating. The interment will follow in the Hartford Mutual Society Cemetery, Wolcott Rd., East Granby. Shiva will take place at the home of Sharon and Alan Budkofsky following the funeral on Tuesday, and Wednesday and Thursday from 1:00-4:00pm and 7:00-9:00pm. Donations can be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Ben, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm.