Leon ‘Red’ Darefsky, 86 years of age, of Bloomfield, formerly of West Hartford, died peacefully on Tuesday (January 25, 2011), at home surrounded by his family. Born in Hartford, he was the son of the late Irving and Alice (Weisman) Darefsky. A proud Weaver High School, class of ’43 alumnus, for 65 years Leon was the driving force behind all of his class reunions. He was an Army veteran of World War II and following his tour of duty in Panama, attended Hillyer College (now University of Hartford). There he held the distinction of being the first graduate of the school’s first 4-year class. In 1954, Leon opened Sherman’s Men’s Wear clothing store in East Hartford. He was a fixture on Main Street for 49 years and literally clothed generations of families. In 1970, Leon began making signature ties and soon entered the tie logo business. He eventually converted his men’s clothing store into Sherman’s Cravats which became the definitive place to shop for neckties. During his lifetime, Leon was active in the Lion’s Club, Hillyer College Alumni Association, West Hartford Regents and the Emanuel Synagogue, having served on its Executive Board for several years. He leaves his wife of 57 years, Rosalyn (Sherman) Darefsky; three children: Marla Darefsky Bergman of New Rochelle, NY, Elyse Darefsky of Bloomfield, and Robert Darefsky and his wife Amy of Westport; three beloved grandchildren: Kayla Bergman; Jordan and Carlie Darefsky; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Estelle and Myron Freed, his sister-in-law, Selma Kaplan, and many devoted nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his sister Mildred Becker, his special mother-in-law, Lena Sherman, his brother-in-law Jack Kaplan and his cherished grandson, Jared Bergman.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 28, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary of the Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford with Rabbi David J. Small officiating. Interment will follow in the Emanuel Synagogue Cemetery, 1361 Berlin Turnpike, Wethersfield. A memorial period will be observed at his home, 164 Thistle Pond Drive, Bloomfield immediately following the interment, Saturday evening with Minyan at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday afternoon and evening with Minyan at 4:45 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Make A Wish Foundation Metro NY, Attn: Friends of Jared Bergman, 1111 Marcus Avenue #LL22, Lake Success, NY 11042, attention Jared ’; or to The Emanuel Synagogue. Arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Leon, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm.
