Born in New Britain, CT on September 30, 1932, he was the son of the late Rose (Saxe) and Irving I. Rachlin. Joe was the beloved husband, for 60 years, of Rosalind (Roz Friedman) Rachlin. He is survived by his loving children David Rachlin, Aaron Rachlin and Rebecca Berman and her husband, James and by his loving and loved by him grandchildren; Zachary Rachlin, Elijah Rachlin, Sarah Berman and Jessica Berman. He leaves his loving sister Paula Rachlin Gottesman and her four daughters and he was predeceased by his brother Dr. William Rachlin. Joe leaves Bill’s two daughters along with many cousins in the Rachlin-Richman-Milkowitz family.
Joseph graduated from New Britain High School in 1950. He graduated from New York University, the “Heights” campus and was President of the Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT) Fraternity there. He then graduated from the New York University School of Law in 1959: Cum Laude and Order of the Coif (the honor society for law school graduates). He was commissioned an ROTC 2nd Lieutenant Officer and promoted to First Lieutenant in Korea where he served from 1955 to 1957. Joe served his family, his country, his community and his synagogue.
He served on the West Hartford Town Planning and Zoning Commission. He was President of Beth El Temple and served on the Board and on many committees. He was the Incorporating Attorney for the Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Hartford and Pro Bono Attorney of it and a member of the Board of Trustees. In the seventies, Joe masterminded and created a fund raising plan to sustain the existence of Camp Ramah of New England in Palmer, MA.
Joe will be missed by his family, friends and all who knew him. Thank you to his wonderful physician Jack Schmetterling, MD and his entire staff with special thanks to Sherri Goldberg, R.N. Many thanks also go to the amazing practitioners at the VA in Newington and to all who attended Joe’s needs from the Hartford HealthCare at Home Hospice. Our deepest gratitude goes to all of the dedicated Caregivers who attended to Joe to make him comfortable at home.
The family suggests that donations in his honor, in lieu of flowers, be made to Chai Society of Beth El Temple, or to the Alzheimer’s Association or to Hartford HealthCare at Home Hospice, 1290 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 4B, Wethersfield, CT 06109.
A funeral will be held at Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Avenue, West Hartford on Friday, November 17 at 12:00pm with Rabbi Rosen, Rabbi Kessler and Cantor Ness officiating. Interment will follow at Beth El Cemetery in Avon. Following interment, the family will receive friends for a meal of condolence back at Beth El Temple. The family will receive friends in the Rachlin home in West Hartford on Saturday from 7:00pm-9:00pm with a Service at 7:15pm and on Sunday from 2:00pm-4:30pm and from 7:00pm-9:00pm Sunday evening with a Service at 7:15pm. Arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford, CT. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Joseph Rachlin, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm.