C ommunity / deaths
DEATH NOTICES
DEATH NOTICES
DEATH NOTICES
B A NK S
Howard L. Banks, 80, of Perkasie,
Pennsylvania, passed away on November 23,
2021. Born in Philadelphia on June 27, 1941,
Howard was the son of the late David Banks
and Adele “Ida” Fuller Banks and the brother
of Burton Banks. Howard was a graduate of
Northeast High School in Philadelphia. He
served honorably in the United States Army
during the Vietnam War. He was the sole pro-
prietor of Howard Packaging Industries, Inc.

until his retirement. He was an avid car buff
who loved target shooting, cigars, and talk-
ing politics. Howard is survived by his chil-
dren: Alan (Kimberly) Banks, Jodi Banks and
Jami Towey; and his grandchildren: Cole
Brauer and Logan Brauer. In addition to his
parents, Howard was predeceased by his lov-
ing wife of 52 years, Arlene (Pelta) Banks, his
mother-in-law Frances (Cohen) Pelta, and his
father-in-law, Jacob “Jack” Pelta. A graveside
service was held at King David Memorial Park
in Bensalem, Pennsylvania on November 26,
2021. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations
may be made to the Wounded Warrior
Project. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
B L A US TE I N
Estelle Sandra Blaustein (nee Rosen) on
November 27, 2021. Devoted wife of the late
William M. Blaustein; Loving mother of Eric
(Sonia); Devoted Bubba of Tina and Liam:
Beloved daughter of the late David and Jean
Rosen; Dear sister of the late Marlene Berg-
man. Adoring Aunt of Leonard (Michelle)
Bergman. Service and Interment were
private. Contributions in her memory may be
made to Congregation Beth El of Bucks
County, 375 Stoney Hill Rd, Yardley PA
19067, www.bethelyardley.org/payment.php
GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL- SACKS
www.goldsteinsfuneral.com A Community
Remembers Monthly archives of
Jewish Exponent Death Notices
are available online.

www.JewishExponent.com B E S S E R
David C. Besser, of Washington Heights, New
York City died too soon on November 30,
2021 at the age of 60. He is survived by his
father, Gilbert M. Besser (who shares his
birthday) (Eleanore, deceased), sister Janet
Gail Besser (Daniel Seibert), brother Marcus
P. Besser (Amy), and his beloved nieces and
nephews Rachael Besser (Rafi Spitzer),
Joseph Besser (Bailey), Aaron Besser, Ray-
mond Seibert and Pauline Seibert, and great
niece and nephew Ellie and Jonah Spitzer.

David loved his family and all things about
the theater. David was born in Philadelphia,
PA, attended Haverford High School, where
he launched his theater career onstage as
Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being
Earnest, before taking his talents backstage.

He graduated from Temple University and
worked at John Wanamaker's in Men's Fur-
nishings before moving to southern Califor-
nia in the 1980s. In the 1990s, he left retail to
follow his passion back to the theater, mov-
ing north where he became the dresser for
the Phantom in the San Francisco produc-
tion of Phantom of the Opera, followed by
work on many other shows. He was active in
his union in California, serving as business
manager for a number of years. In 2012, he
made the move back to the east coast to be
near family, working on Broadway, for the
last several years on Wicked. He continued to
be active in the theater workers union, IATSE.

David was of the generation of young men at
the beginning of the AIDS epidemic and be-
came a champion for AIDS and other organ-
izations related to the arts. Donations in his
memory can be made to the Actors Fund (ht-
tps://actorsfund.org/), a national human ser-
vices organization with a unique understand-
ing of the challenges involved in life in the
entertainment industry.

JOSEPH LEVINE and SONS
www.levinefuneral.com G R AY S ON
Shirley Grayson, November 23, 2021, of
Cherry Hill. Wife of the late Harry Grayson.

Mother of Mitchell (Jamie) Grayson, Phyllis
(Kevin) Stockton, and Zachary (Marcia)
Grayson. Grandmother of Amy Beth Grayson,
Ariel (Daniel) Levine, Elizabeth Caitlin Stock-
ton, Avi Tzvi Grayson, and Alexander Shmuel
Yosef Grayson. Grandmother of Liam Chaim
Levine. Contributions may be made to Jew-
ish Family and Children’s Services, jfcsnj.org
PLATT MEMORIAL CHAPELS, Inc.

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DECEMBER 9, 2021
JEWISH EXPONENT
DEATH NOTICES
L E O N A RD
G R AV I TZ
Arthur Gravitz, 99, of Cheltenham,
Pennsylvania, was an IRS agent for more
than 35 years, and had been a principal wit-
ness in several major felony tax trials. Dur-
ing WWII, he served in the Pennsylvania
State Guard stationed in Philadelphia. He was
an active member of the Federation Allied
Jewish Appeal. He was a graduate of the
Wharton School of the University of
Pennsylvania (ev. 1949), and a recipient of
the Pi Delta Epsilon Gold Key Award. He is
survived by 5 children, 9 grandchildren, and
5 great-grandchildren. Graveside services
were held at Montefiore cemetery. Contribu-
tions in his name may be made to the
Alzheimer's Association 399 Market Street,
Suite 250 Philadelphia, PA. 19106, the Phil-
adelphia Jewish Federation, the Jewish Na-
tional Fund for a tree to be planted in Israel in
his name, or to a charity of the donor's
choice. Honor the
memory of your
loved one …
22 DEATH NOTICES
Cylvia Leonard (nee Love) died on November
29, 2021 at the age of 100. Wife of the late
Dr. Leo; mother of Dr. Barry (Roslyn) Le-
onard, Carole Britchkow-Nunberg, Rona
(Barry) Ginsburg and the late Richard Le-
onard; also survived by 9 grandchildren and
13 great grandchildren. Contributions in her
memory may be made to the Philadelphia
Chapter of Hadassah, 1518 Walnut Street,
Suite 402, Philadelphia, PA 19102.

GOLDSTEINS' ROSENBERG'S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
I T Z E N S O N
Edward E. Itzenson, 93, November 30, 2021
of Elkins Park, PA. Beloved husband of the
late Shirley (nee Shechtman). Loving father
of Kathi Cotton & Gary Itzenson (Leslie).

Brother of Murray Itzenson (Linda), Joyce
Berkowitz & the late Nancy D’Allesandro.

Proud grandfather of Gregory (Hallie), Jord-
ana (Scott), Tova, Alison & Jenna and ador-
ing great grandfather of Georgie, Penn, Rex,
Sean, Shayna and Jace. Itzenson added life to
years, not just years to life. A native Phil-
adelphian, Itzenson graduated as Class Pres-
ident from Central High School (184 th Class)
& earned a B.S. in Education and a Masters
in Education Administration from Temple as a
member, president & then newsletter editor
of the Phi Delta Kappa Honors Society. He
served in the Army as a cryptographer with
top secret clearance in Japan with honorable
discharge. He dedicated his life as a leader of
the Philadelphia School System for 40+ years
revamping city wide science curriculums and
teacher in-service courses coupled with long
tenures as principal of George W. Childs Ele-
mentary School and Benjamin Rush Middle
School. Select other accomplishments in-
clude founding of Sesame Day Camp and
WonderKey School, singing in several choirs
& serving as newsletter editor and executive
board member of Philadelphia Public School
Retired Employees Association. While well
known in the community for impacting many
lives, Itzenson’s true pride and joy was his
family who cherished him. Loving, positive
and kind always, he will be missed by all.

Family is holding private funeral and shiva
services. Contributions in his memory may
be made to the Jewish Federation of Phil-
adelphia. JOSEPH LEVINE and SONS
www.levinefuneral.com K A U F F M A N
Honorable Judge Bruce W. Kauffman, 86, of
Bala Cynwyd, PA, died Monday, November
29, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Carol
(nee Jackson); children: Brad (Joan), Margie
Sherr (Tony), Robert (Stacy), Lauri Damrell
(Jim), Christine Tracy (Jeff); grandchildren:
Sara, Stefanie, Joseph, Isabelle, Jack, Lily,
Zoe; and brother, Alan. Memorial contribu-
tions may be made to The Do Gooders, to
help enrich the lives of the under-served in
the Philadelphia area, www.dogoodersdobet-
ter.org or 18 Clwyd Road, Bala Cynwyd, PA
19004. WEST LAUREL HILL FUNERAL HOME
www.westlaurelhill.com L O W E
Rosalyn Shirley Lowe (nee Land) age 100,
passed away on November 25, 2021. Be-
loved matriarch and inspiration to her entire
family. Predeceased by husband Bernard
Lowe and companion Mort Rosenthal. Deeply
devoted mother of Lynne Jacobus (Alvin) and
Judith Garfield (Steven). Adored grandmoth-
er of Joby Gendron (Marshall), Abby Fish-
man (Brian), Jamie Garfield (Mariclare) and
Katy Schansinger (Michael). Cherished great-
grandmother of 8. Loving aunt to June and
Harry. An extraordinary woman of beauty,
strength and intelligence. The legacy of her
warmth, generosity and powerful connection
to family will be with us always. Life was al-
ways better with Roz in it. Service and inter-
ment private. Donations in her memory can
be made to the charity of your choice.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
O L S O N
Sallie D. Olson (nee Dorfman), passed away
on November 23, 2021. Wife of the late Nor-
man Olson. Mother of Sharon (Jerry) Manas
and the late Joseph Olson (daughter-in-law
Heather Olson). Grandmother of Elizabeth
Manas, Alex Olson and Zoe Olson. Contribu-
tions in her memory may be made to Reform
Congregation Keneseth Israel Sacred Music
Fund, www.kenesethisrael.org.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
To place a Memorial Ad
call 215.832.0749
A Community Remembers
Monthly archives of Jewish Exponent
Death Notices are available online.

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