obituaries
Entrepreneur, Shark
Expert Paul Weintraub
Dies at 86
BY HEATHER M. ROSS | STAFF WRITER
E ntrepreneur and shark expert
Paul Weintraub died on May 1 at
VITAS Inpatient Hospice Unit in
Delray Beach, Florida. He was 86.

Weintraub owned and co-founded
Martin’s Aquarium in Jenkintown. He
also founded and maintained several
successful businesses such as a bike shop,
kerosene heaters and a cactus business.

He and his brother, Robert, who died in
2014, also were two of the four partners at
Caring. Committed. Compassionate.

Leave behind a gift that your family could never repay
But will appreciate forever
Providing funeral counseling and pre-need arrangements
Pre-planning a funeral is a gift. Anyone who has ever lost a loved
one knows how hard it is to make decisions at a time of grief. Let
your family know your wishes, don’t burden them with the costs of a
funeral, and allow them to celebrate the life you lived. Our
experienced funeral directors can guide you through the process,
and assist you in making tough decisions.

PHILADELPHIA CHAPEL
Carl Goldstein, Supervisor
6410 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19126
SUBURBAN NORTH CHAPEL
Bruce Goldstein, Supervisor
310 2nd Street Pike
Southampton, PA 18966
ROTH-GOLDSTEINS’ MEMORIAL CHAPEL
Stephen T. Collins • Mgr. Lic. No. 3355
Pacific & New Hampshire Avenues
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Southern NJ Chapels Available
www.GoldsteinsFuneral.com 215-927-5800 • 800-622-6410
For deaf and hard of hearing: 267-331-4243 (Sorenson VP)
24 MAY 26, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals.

Martin’s Aquarium began in
the basement of the Weintraub
brothers’ childhood home. Th e
business went from being a small
operation to a fi sh and reptile
Paul Weintraub
store and eventually to the aquar-
Photos courtesy of Greg Pitkoff and the Weintraub family
ium it is today.

Weintraub was born in
Philadelphia on Dec. 29, 1935, to Martin
Ross Weintraub believes the interest in
and Rose Weintraub. He was bar mitz- people was inspired by his grandmother,
vahed at the Germantown Jewish Centre Rose Weintraub.

and was a founding member of Temple
“My grandmother was a very warm
Sinai in Dresher. He later attended Old person as well, for everyone in the family,
York Road Temple-Beth Am in Abington. who was part of my dad’s generation and
Weintraub graduated from Temple older, she was the heart of the family. [My
University and was a member of Class father] passed away on the same day she
200 at Central High School.

did, 51 years apart,” Ross Weintraub said.

Weintraub met his wife, Marilyn, at
Paul Weintraub’s curiosity was a family
a Jewish singles weekend at Tamiment trait, shared by his father and brother, as
Resort in the Poconos. She was from well as his children. He was interested in
Brooklyn, and he was from Philadelphia, fi sh, fossils and science. Ross Weintraub
but Paul Weintraub was determined credits his father with inspiring his deci-
to see her again. To court her, he fol- sion to become a science teacher.

lowed her back to New York and slept on
“One time, he made me hold a snake,
friend’s couches while they got to know and I had never been so scared in my
each other. Th e couple married on Oct. life,” Ross Weintraub said.

22, 1960, at the Brooklyn Jewish Center.

Paul Weintraub had a unique way of
According to his son, Ross Weintraub, sharing his love of science with his fam-
what made his father most memorable ily. When his children were growing up,
was how he treated people.

he oft en took them on fossil-hunting
“He had a real interest in people. When trips as far away as Utah and Wyoming.

I was young, a teenager, I was watching When Ross Weintraub was 8, they found
him work once, and [I noticed] he had a starfi sh, which was sent to England to
a stack of index cards, and when he be identifi ed. Th is was evidence for the
would talk to people he would take notes continental drift theory since the starfi sh
on what they were interested in,” Ross fossil was highly unusual for the area.

Th e memories from those trips live on
Weintraub said.

“Th e store was a great place to work in his children. Ross Weintraub uses pho-
because of how he treated us. He edu- tos of the fossils found in teaching.

Paul Weintraub also made a repu-
cated us about the diff erent animals and
tation for himself on television, with
taught us how to treat the customers,”
appearances on local programs such
said Steven Weston, who began working
as “Captain
Noah” and “Th e Gene
at the fi sh store in 1970, when he was 13.

London Show,”
as well as the nationally
He worked there for 16 years.

syndicated “Th
e Mike Douglas Show.”
Weston shared a story from when he
Weintraub is survived by his wife,
worked with Paul Weintraub about a
time when a homeless man was caught Marilyn; his children, Ross (Shawn),
trying to steal something from the Daniel (Beth) and Alan Weintraub;
store. Instead of calling the police, Paul and four grandchildren. JE
Weintraub and the other partners agreed
hross@midatlanticmedia.com to give the man a job.




ABRAMS
There is a little less laughter in
the world.

Raymond Leonard
Abrams (Ray), age 83, passed
away peacefully on Thursday, May
12, 2022 surrounded by his family.

Ray was born on July 17, 1938 in
Philadelphia, PA, to parents, Sam-
uel and Ethel Abrams. He gradu-
ated from Central High School in
1956. He continued his education
at Penn State University, where he
was a member of ZBT Fraternity.

After college, Ray moved to St.

Thomas, Virgin Islands, where he
had a career in pharmaceutical
sales. Ray returned to Philadel-
phia after meeting the love of his
life, Joan, and finished out his ca-
reer in the furniture business. After
he retired, he remained by Joan’s
side helping to run her clothing
business. Ray was an avid golf
player. Growing up in Philadel-
phia, Ray loved all Philly sports
teams, especially the Eagles. But
his greatest accomplishment and
joy was his family. Those who
knew him, knew he could talk end-
lessly about them. Ray is survived
by his loving wife of 53 years, Joan
Abrams. His daughter Jennifer
Abrams Waxler and son-in-law
Todd, son Barry, and daughter
Nancy Abrams Leibovitz and hus-
band Dan. He also leaves behind
five grandchildren who knew him
as Ray-Ray: Teddie Waxler, Billie
Waxler, Kaiya Leibovitz, Noah Lei-
bovitz, and Nash Leibovitz. In lieu
of flowers, donations can made in
Ray’s honor to Reflex Sympathetic
Dystrophy, RSDS.org . WE WILL
MISS YOU RAY-RAY!
LAMB FUNERAL HOME INC.

CHARLESTEIN Ritasue Charlestein-Dedicating her
life to the State of Israel, Charles-
tein spent most of her time singing
for and lifting the spirits of IDF sol-
diers in hospitals across the coun-
try. Beloved by all, she was a com-
passionate friend, a loving mother
and an ever-spoiling “Bubba.” She
is survived by her brothers David
(Melissa) Birnbach and Steven
(Randi) Birnbach; her daughters
Julie (Darryl) Charlestein Benjamin
and Elysa (Nir) Fertig; her son Ari
(Sarah) Charlestein; and her grand-
children Ruby, Maccabi, Mia, Yair,
Eliana and Lior. Donations in her
memory may be made to the Mi-
chael Levine Lone Soldier Center
in Israel.

JOSEPH LEVINE AND SONS
www.levinefuneral.com AXLER
BERNICE AXLER (nee SORKIN)
died on April 29, 2022, of North-
east Philadelphia and long-time
employee of the Naval Publication
and Forms Center. Devoted wife of
the late HERBERT AXLER, loving
mother of NEIL (MARSHA) AXLER
and the late JUDITH GOLDEN-
BERG; mother-in-law of RICHARD
(ADRIENNE) GOLDENBERG;
proud grandmother of BRETT and
MICHAEL AXLER and MATTHEW
and RYAN GOLDENBERG; sister
of DOROTHY (ROBERT) MILLER.

Contributions in her memory may
be made to Mitzvah Circle, 2562
Boulevard of the Generals, Suite
100, Norristown, PA 19403.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
www. jewishexponent.

com COHEN
The Cohen family sadly announces
the death of Daniel Clifford Cohen
on April 28, 2022, aged 94 years
young. Born and raised in Phila-
delphia, he left the area only for
college, law school, military ser-
vice (Navy and JAG Corps), and
travel (six different continents). He
earned his undergraduate and law
degrees in a joint program at Har-
vard University, graduating in 1951,
and serving on the Harvard Law
Review. He spent his entire profes-
sional career at the distinguished
law firm Wolf, Block, Schorr, and
Solis-Cohen, primarily in the field
of labor law. He also did pro bono
legal work on immigration for the
Hebrew Immigration Aid Society
(HIAS). His passion, however, was
for Judaism and Jewish learning.

He was a lifelong member of Ka-
hal Kadosh Mikveh Israel, serving
as Parnas (president), Counsel,
and Chair of the Ritual Committee
for many years. He was a student
at Gratz College beginning at age
five and continuing until age 93,
graduating from the School of Ob-
servation and Practice in 1942,
earning a Bachelor of Hebrew Let-
ters degree in 1956, being awarded
a Doctorate of Hebrew Letters de-
gree (honoris causa) in 1983, and
continuing to take classes right up
until he was no longer able to drive.

As passionate as he was as a stu-
dent, he was equally dedicated as
a teacher, leading adult education
classes for the American Jewish
Committee, for Mikveh Israel, Gratz
College Netsky Institute, and in
many other settings. As a teacher,
he welcomed difficult questions and
enjoyed learning from his students,
since for him being a teacher and
being a student were interchange-
able parts of the same enterprise.

His community work included ser-
vice on the boards of Mikveh Israel
and Gratz College from the 1950’s
right up until 2020. He also served
on the boards of the Jewish Publi-
cation Society (for which he helped
copy edit the Etz Chaim edition of
the Chumash in use today at many
congregations), the Federation
of Jewish Agencies, the National
Museum of American Jewish His-
tory, the American Association for
Jewish Education, the American
Jewish Committee, and many other
organizations. He was never afraid
to challenge groupthink and stand
alone in his opinions, always stick-
ing up for the integrity and mission
of whatever group he was involved
in. He is predeceased by his par-
ents, Hyman H. and Clara Rosen-
feld Cohen, his beloved wife Louise
Cohen (nee Dine), and his brother
Henry B. Cohen. He is survived by
his four children: Jonathan Cohen
and wife Victoria, Eve Pasternak
and husband Steven, Judith Stolnitz
and husband Mark, and Benjamin
Cohen and wife Michal Likhovski,
as well as a “minyan” of grandchil-
dren and three great-grandchildren
(with a fourth on the way). For all
his many accomplishments, his
family remembers him best as a de-
voted husband, father, grandfather,
uncle, cousin, and friend. We knew
we could always turn to him for
his vast knowledge, good-natured
jokes, active support, and steadfast
love. Contributions in his memory
may be made to the Jewish educa-
tion program of your choice.

COOPER Linda Morguelan Cooper died
Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at her
home in Potomac, MD. She was
78 years old. Linda was the wife
of Alan Cooper, who also passed
away recently. She grew up in
Louisville, KY and graduated from
Indiana University. She went on to
teach elementary school and also
became a paralegal. She raised
her family in Yardley, PA before
remarrying and moving to Poto-
mac. Linda loved reading, cooking,
traveling, and experiencing arts
and culture. She was a member
of several book clubs and enjoyed
entertaining at their home. She
especially loved spending a few
weeks each summer at the Berk-
shires, where she and Alan would
see plays, attend concerts and en-
joy the local art museums. Linda is
survived by her sons, Randy and
Stuart Klein, daughter-in-law Ja-
mie, granddaughters Margot and
Ashley, sister Robin Simon, and
brother Dr. Barry Morguelan. Lin-
da was a devoted mother, wife and
grandmother and will be missed by
all. good looks, he preferred to be in
the audience of a dark theater, with
his family, watching a great film or
taking in a show. He had an abun-
dance of lifelong friends and con-
tinued making new ones up until
the very end. His sweet and gentle
nature was cherished by all who got
to know him. Adele was the love of
his life and he took great pride in
their family. The family respectfully
suggests that contributions in his
memory be made to the American
Friends of Magen David Adom
(afmda.org). JOSEPH LEVINE AND SONS
www.levinefuneral.com ERVAIS
ELKINS ARMIN M ELKINS, DDS-Age
88, of Berwyn, PA, passed away
peacefully on May 18th, 2022,
surrounded by his family. Armin
was the beloved husband of Adele
(neé Berkowitz), devoted father
of Beth Cutler, Wayne Elkins, and
Alexis Elkins, and much adored
grandfather of Aaron Cutler (Mari-
ana), Samantha Cutler, Jacob and
Emma Elkins. He is also survived
by his loving brother and sister-in-
law, Dov Peretz and Maxine Elkins.

He was born on Nov. 11th, 1933 in
Philadelphia to the late Bertha and
Edward Elkins. He graduated from
Central High School, University of
Pennsylvania, and Temple Univer-
sity Dental School. Following den-
tal school, he served as a Captain
in the US Army and was stationed
in Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

He practiced dentistry in Abington
for 45 years until his retirement.

He not only knew how to help his
patients care for their smile, but
he also knew how to make them
smile with his kindness. Despite
his degree and meticulous skill, he
had an insatiable sweet tooth and
legendary candy drawer. Armin
enjoyed the game of tennis, both
as a player and as a spectator. So
much so, that he delighted in tak-
ing his youngest daughter, Alexis,
on annual trips to the US Open. He
shared a love of cars and motorcy-
cles with his only son, Wayne and
frequented Broadway matinees
with his eldest daughter, Beth. He
developed a passion for the opera
later in life, much to the pleasure of
his wife Adele, who is a classically
trained pianist. Better late than nev-
er. Although Armin had movie star
Ronald Ervais - A loving husband,
father, son, brother and grandfather,
Ronald Ervais will be best remem-
bered for his kindness, compassion
and always having a great “dad”
joke ready to share. Ron was the
first member of his family to go to
college - and that was an accident.

He accompanied his good friend to
Temple University to take their en-
trance exam. The counselor sug-
gested Ron take the test as well
since he was waiting for his friend
anyway, and he passed with flying
colors. He entered Temple where
he met the love of his life, Beth Jo-
seph, while both were working in the
library. They married in 1957 and
soon after moved to Germany while
Ron served in the US Army. In 1959,
they welcomed their first son Rich-
ard; Jill, Susan, Debra and Robert
joined the family over the next eight
years. While raising the first three
children and working full time as
an accountant at Curtis Publishing,
Ron studied at Temple Law School,
graduated in 1964, started his ca-
reer as a clerk of court, and soon
after joined the law firm of Becker &
Becker, which was known as Becker,
Fryman & Ervais by the time he left
to become a sole practitioner many
years later. During his 55 years of
practicing law, Ron became known
as a top-rated Philadelphia attorney,
always working to support the disad-
vantaged and those in need. Ron, a
resident of Bala Cynwyd for many
decades, passed away on April
29th. Besides his children Richard
Ervais (Zander), Jill Ervais (Nigel),
Susan Ervais-Bohmiller (Kevin),
Debra Stella (Jeffrey), Robert Er-
vais (Meg), Ron is also survived by
his grandchildren Erin (Hannes),
Adin, Kelvin and Ethan, his sisters
Phyllis Ashcraft and Wilma Ervais,
his brother Chuck Landherr and his
brother-in-law Dr. Jay H. Joseph. He
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 25