Marshall W. Elman (99) years of age, of West Hartford, CT, Boca Raton, FL, and New London, CT, passed away on Sunday, August 15, 2021. He was the beloved husband, for 72 years, of Jeanne (Herrup) Elman. Born in Hartford, CT, he was the son of the late Bernard and Alice (Greenberg) Elman.
He attended Morley Elementary School, Plant Junior High School, and graduated from Hall High School in 1940. He also attended the Tilton School in NH, and Norwich University in VT. He left college to serve in the U.S. Army-Cavalry Division. Upon his return to West Hartford, he joined the family business, The Elman Fuel Company, where he worked until his retirement. He and Jeanne became annual snowbirds, landing in Boca Raton, FL., where they shared their passion for lifelong learning as students at FAU and developed a deep appreciation for opera and current events. While he created numerous memories for his grandchildren during family cruises, his greatest joy was the time that he spent with his family in New London, CT; first, as a child and then in his role as Pop.
Marshall was a founding member of Beth El Temple and a regular at Shabbat services and also attended services at Temple Israel and Congregation Beth El, in New London. He was a 75-year member of Sequin-Level Lodge and the Sphinx Shrine, including his time as the Past Captain of the Shrine Motor Patrol which maintained and drove the little cars in parades, and he was also affiliated with the Boca Raton Shrine Club. He was a member of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, the Jesters, the Nutmeg Forest, the American Legion, the West Hartford Regents, the Jewish War Veterans, B’nai Brith, and served as a Past President of the Lions Club. His and Jeanne’s passion for swimming at the JCC, in West Hartford, led them to become swimming buddies for children with special needs. His affinity for horses led him to serve in the Governor’s Foot Guard and he shared this passion for riding with a number of his grandchildren.
Marshall is survived by his daughter, Harriet Bergman (Brian), of Hawthorne, NJ; his son, Larry Elman (Debbie), of West Hartford, CT; his son-in-law Sidney Melius, of Tarpon Springs, FL; his six grandchildren, Seth (Rachel) Bergman and Allison (Joseph) Ehrlich, of Wyckoff, NJ; Matthew (Leah) Melius, of Ivoryton, CT; Jonathan (Aimee) Melius of Lake Worth, FL: Jennifer (Wes) Cushman and Julie Elman of West Hartford, CT; his beloved ten great-grandchildren, Sophie, Max, Rebecca, Joshua, Annabelle, Abigail, Ryan, Mason, Avery, and Jackson. He also leaves behind, Valerie Akerly, a member of his extended family. Marshall was predeceased by his brother, Lt. Lawrence L. Elman, who was killed in action in France during WWII, and by his daughter Rhea Ann Melius, formerly of West Hartford.
Marshall’s family wishes to acknowledge the caregivers who provided support over last few months. We would also like to express our gratitude to McLean Home and Hospice Care for their support during the last few months.
A military, graveside service will take place on Monday, August 16, 2021, at the Emanuel Synagogue Cemetery, 1361 Berlin Turnpike, Wethersfield, CT., with Rabbi James Rosen, Rabbi Rachel Zerin, and Cantor Joseph Ness officiating. Social distancing and masks are REQUIRED. The funeral will be available on Zoom; for additional information please email: elmanfuneral@gmail.com. The family will also be participating in Shiva through the Beth El Temple’s livestream on Tuesday at 7:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Elman Family Fund for Special Needs, c/o the Jewish Community Foundation, 333 Bloomfield Ave., Suite D, West Hartford, CT 06117; Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Ave., West Hartford, CT 06117; The Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St. Springfield, MA, 01104; or to a charity of the donor’s choice. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Marshall, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm
