Rhea (Belle (Pasternack)) Gaer

GAER, RHEA BELLE PASTERNACK, 99, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in hospice care in Naples, Florida. Born in Hartford, daughter of the late Morris and Clara (Brandvein) Pasternack. She was the widow of Meyer Gaer. Rhea lived in Hartford, New Britain, West Hartford, Wethersfield and Beach Park in Clinton as well as Delray Beach and Naples Florida. After the death of her mother when she was 3 years old, she, her sister, Etta, and her father joined the family of her aunt and uncle and children. The two families were blended together and were raised as sisters and brothers. This environment created a loving stable family which shaped Rhea into the strong woman she became. During the first twenty years of her marriage, she was a fulltime homemaker and a part time bookkeeper in her husband’s business, Gaer Brothers wholesale food distributors. After her husband’s passing, she assumed ownership of the business and successfully ran it for the next twenty years. Rhea was an avid Bridge player and loved all sorts of board games. She never missed doing the daily cryptogram and playing Words with Friends on her IPad consumed many hours. She loved to travel and did so extensively. The time she spent and the friends she made at Beach Park in Clinton over thirty-five years were very special to her. She leaves her two daughters and their spouses Carolyn and Victor, and Irene and Michael Brugg of Bonita Springs, Florida and Beach Park, Clinton and her “brother” Saul Pasternack of Bloomfield. She also leaves four grandchildren and their spouses, Marc and Betsy Brugg, Sandra and Mark Schuman, Debra and Reed Newton, and Michael and Jodi. Ten great-grandchildren, Caitlin, Jake, Gabrielle, Samantha, Matthew, Arianna, Kaiden, Braxton, Adelyn and Adrienne. She was predeceased by her siblings Etta Beck, Edith Libbin and Robert Pasternack. She lived a fruitful and fulfilling life both in Connecticut and Florida. Memorial contributions can be made to the Emanuel Synagogue where she was a long time member or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Funeral services will be held at twelve noon Wednesday, November 8 in the Chapel of the Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford followed by interment in the Emanuel Cemetery, Wethersfield. The family will receive visitors at the home of Saul and Joanne Pasternack, 20 Burnwood Drive, Bloomfield on Wednesday following the burial until 9:00pm, Thursday from 1:00 to 9:00pm, and Friday from 11:00 to 3:00pm. Weinstein Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.