obituaries
World War II Veteran Eli Fatow
Dies at 97
HEATHER M. ROSS | STAFF WRITER
involving aerial flight. Fatow even met
Pope Pius XII when he and his fellow
soldiers arrived in Rome and went to
Vatican City.

Fatow was a member of the Jewish
War Veterans, an organization that
defends the rights and benefits for all
service members and veterans, fights
antisemitism and supports Israel,
according to its website.

E li Fatow, a Jewish World War II
veteran who earned five Bronze
Stars, died on Aug. 2. He was 97.

He was born in Philadelphia in 1924.

The timing meant that as he was grad-
uating from high school he wasn’t just
receiving his diploma: He was receiv-
ing his draft notice. In 1943, at just
18 years old, Fatow began 3½ years of
service in the Army Air Corps during
World War II. He was deployed in
North Africa, Sicily and Italy.

He served as a troop carrier, which
meant dropping food and supplies
from planes and helping to transport
wounded soldiers.

In 2015, Fatow spoke with the Jewish
Exponent about his experience in
World War II.

While Fatow was proud of his ser-
vice, he was humble, saying that he
“just did his job” in the Exponent arti-
cle. What Fatow was most proud of was
his family and the relationships he had
with each member.

“He just wanted to make sure we were
happy and healthy. He was not a guy
to worry about details. He was a very
optimistic guy; if we had a problem, he’d
A RESOLUTION OF ABRAMSON SENIOR CARE
Eli Fatow
Photos courtesy of Suzanne Pollak
“I was pretty much the only Jew in
my division,” Fatow said.

The Bronze Stars he received are
awarded for heroism, outstanding
achievement or meritorious service not
The Board of Trustees of Abramson Senior Care record with sorrow the
passing of their esteemed colleague and friend
Richard B. Pearl, z”l
whose commitment to Jewish causes and philanthropy benefited the
seniors served by Abramson Senior Care, and who served as an example
to the entire community.

Richard joined the Board of Trustees in 1976 and has been a steadfast
supporter of Abramson Senior Care’s mission to ensure that needy and
frail seniors throughout the community receive the crucial high-quality
services they deserve. He tirelessly gave of his time and expertise,
serving as Board Chair from 1990-1993 and on the By-Laws, Audit,
Conflict of Interest, Building for Life and Cabinet Committees. As Board
Chair, Richard oversaw the funding of an Alzheimer’s Clinical Research
Center at Philadelphia Geriatric Center, Abramson Senior Care’s
predecessor organization, and the first fundraising gala, the Rainbow
Ball. His guidance and dedication knew no bounds and we are deeply
indebted to all that he contributed to help make Abramson Senior Care a
first-class provider of healthcare for seniors.

A long-time supporter of the Annual Fund, Richard was also a patron of the
Rainbow Ball, gave generously to the Tribute and Resident Programs, New
Campus Fund and the Lisa Pearl Brewer and Stephen D. Pearl Endowment
Fund. Abramson Senior Care and our entire Jewish community were truly
fortunate to have been the beneficiary of Richard’s time, leadership, and
enduring tzedakah.

To his wife, Myna; daughter, Karen (Mitch); his grandchildren, Lucy and
Sophie; and all who mourn his passing, the Board of Trustees of Abramson
Senior Care offer this expression of profound sympathy. May they find
solace in the knowledge that his dedication, generosity and good works
will serve as a living tribute to him and will benefit future generations.

Lorraine Drobny
Board Chair
Sean Gregson
President and CEO
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