REICHLIN, Benjamin ?Ben? Reichlin, 91 years of age, of Manchester and Delray Beach, FL, beloved husband of Hedda (Rashall) Reichlin, passed away Wednesday, November 26, 2008 after a brief illness. He was born in Hartford, July 27, 1917, son of the late Nathan and May (Ellin) Reichlin. Ben attended local schools in Hartford graduating from Weaver High School, Class of 1935, and from Connecticut State College (University of Connecticut) in 1939 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics. Upon graduation, Ben established Reichlin Interiors with his late sister Sylvia before entering military service in 1942. He was a sergeant in the US Army infantry and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge at Leige, Belgium. He received the Purple Heart and the French Croix de Guerre. Before being discharged after four years of military service, Ben was stationed at Supreme Headquarters in Rheims, France. Returning to the States, he joined his father and his brother Saul in the family business, Reichlin Furriers, Trumbull Street, Hartford. He was associated with his brother for 42 years, establishing it as one of Connecticut?s leading furriers. Ben is survived by his loving wife Hedda, whom he married in September 1948, his best friend and companion, who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary September 30, 2008; two sons, Loren Reichlin and his wife Sharon of Manchester, and Alan Reichlin of Manchester; his brother, Saul Reichlin and his wife Frances of West Hartford; his sisters-in-law, Hilda Baron of Albany, NY, and Helen Rashall of Delray Beach, FL; and many wonderful cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son, David A. Reichlin and by his sister, Sylvia Rosenfeld. Ben was a member of Temple Beth Sholom of Manchester since 1950 and a member of the Temple?s Board of Directors for over 30 years. He was also on the Planning Committee for the erection of the present building; and a member of the Board of Directors of the Master Retail Furriers Guild of America, a charter member of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC, the Jewish Heritage Museum in New York City, the American Jewish Congress (past president of the local chapter), B?nai Brith, the Southern Poverty Law Center; and many other charitable organizations. Ben enjoyed traveling, opera, theater, the arts and his family. He also looked forward to reunions with his Canadian brethren and his winters in Florida. He was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and the University of Connecticut men?s and women?s basketball teams. Above all, he was a very devoted husband and father.
Funeral services will be held Friday, November 28, 2008 at 12:00 noon in Temple Beth Sholom, 400 East Middle Turnpike, Manchester with Rabbi Richard Plavin and Cantor Anita Schubert officiating. Interment will follow in Knesseth Israel Synagogue Cemetery, Ellington. The family will receive relatives and friends at his home, 30 Sanford Road, Manchester. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Reichlin Family Fund, c/o Temple Beth Sholom, or to Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, 333 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford 06117, or to a charity of the donor?s choice. Arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford. For further information, directions, or to share memories of Ben with his family, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com.
