All Obituaries

Rachel Singer passed away on April 11th.  She was born in Springfield, MA to the late Harry and Lillian Smith.  Rachel graduated from Tech High School and went on to UMASS. Rachel began teaching kindergarten in Deep River, CT in 1948. She then went on to teach in East Hartford, CT for over 30 years.  In those days, her AM and PM classes per session without aides could exceed 35 students.  I joked that I had trouble trying to cover 30 minutes and she did 30+years.  I...

Harvey Weiner, 82, of South Windsor, CT, devoted husband, beloved father, and adoring grandfather, passed away on March 28, 2024.   Born in Baltimore, MD, Harvey was the son of the late Sidney and Sophie Weiner.  After graduating from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.  He was a Registered Professional...

Neil Steven Cooper, 64, of Las Vegas, NV, passed away on February 27, 2024. He was born on August 3, 1959, in Miami Beach, FL. Neil was a beloved husband to John “JJ” Jefferson and a devoted dog daddy to Tyler.  Neil had a long career with American Airlines and later as a Realtor at Wardley Real Estate. He was known for his dedication and friendly demeanor in both professions. In his free time, Neil enjoyed going on cruises with JJ, a hobby that brought him much joy...

Beverly Block Halpin, lovingly called “Bibby” by her late parents Miriam and Nathan Block, and “Bibehleh” by her adored Bubbie Block, with whom she shared a room as a child, died Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at home surrounded by her family. Born in Hartford on June 30, 1934, she started her education at Vine St. School, where she met lifelong friends Ursula Ackerman and Bunny Strachman. She was a 1952 graduate of Weaver High School, attended The University of...

Elaine S. (Fruchtman) Kaufmann, 89, of West Hartford, CT, passed away on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at UCONN Medical Center. She was born in Hartford in 1934, the daughter of the late Samuel and Clara Silverstein. Elaine was fortunate to have had two wonderful husbands, the late Wilbert Kaufmann and the late Jacob Fruchtman. She was a graduate of Weaver High School and the Hartford Accounting School. She was a lifelong member of Hadassah and the Sisterhood at Emanuel Synagogue and was an...

Martin Jay Axelrod died on January 28, 2024, at home in the arms of his wife, Natalie. They were married on June 19, 1982, and resided in Enola, Pennsylvania. A lifelong rail fan, Martin shared his encyclopedic knowledge of trains with friends and the Harrisburg Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society.  After graduating from UConn in 1969, he worked in the trucking industry for over 30 years. After retiring, he became a celebrated volunteer at the Enola Public Library....

Linda Bland Sonnenblick, age 89, died peacefully at the home she shared with her beloved, long-term partner, Henry M. Zachs, in Farmington, CT. She is the widow of the late distinguished cardiologist and physician-scientist Edmund H. Sonnenblick, to whom she was married for 53 years. She was born in Hartford to the late Chester and Shirley Bland and spent most of her life in West Hartford, Darien, and Farmington. Linda was a graduate of The Oxford School and Boston University and an active...

Jay M. Cudrin, Ph.D., a resident of West Hartford, CT, peacefully passed away on January 3rd, 2024, at the age of 85. Born on July 16, 1938, in Brooklyn, NY, Jay was the son of Murray and Dorothy Cudrin. He is survived by his devoted wife, Harriet, and his daughters and sons-in-law, Rachel and Michael D'Argenio, Lisa and Scott Sadinsky. Jay is remembered for his three cherished grandchildren, Dara, Abigail Sadinsky, and Devin D'Argenio.  An accomplished psychologist, Jay had a...

Mark Edward Fierberg passed away on November 4, 2023. A resident of West Hartford, Connecticut, for his entire life, Mark was born on August 10, 1957. He lived a vibrant life of 66 years, marked by kindness, humor, and intelligence.    Mark was the cherished son of the late Jed Fierberg and Ruth Rubenstein Fierberg. He was the loving brother to Eliot Fierberg and sister-in-law Randie Fierberg. Mark held a special place in his heart for his nieces and nephews, Ruthie, Joseph, and...

Dr. Paul Stuart Norman passed away peacefully at his Manchester home on October 21, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Born on August 9, 1930, in Springfield, MA, Paul lived a long and fulfilling life marked by love, dedication, and service. Paul is predeceased by his wife of 70 years, Arlene Zarchen Norman; his younger brother, Michael Norman; his nephew, Ben Norman; and his parents, Samuel and Evelyn Cohen Norman. He is survived by his three children, David Norman (Joann) of...