85

Landsmanshaft Advocate
Harry Laker Dies At 77

Harry Laker had such a
variety of identifications that he
was viewed in the last decade
among the finalists in holding
high the banner • of the Land-

smanshaften. To the end its ad-
vocate, he defended their right to
exist and therefore was among
their protecting survivors.
While heading and conducting
the affairs of the Pinsker Pro-
gressive Aid Society, Mr. Laker
was among the city's most active
congregational leaders, serving
as president for many years of
Cong. Beth Achim. It was in that
position that he and his family
commenced the task of providing
scholarships for worthy students
desiring to spend a year studying
at an Israeli university.
During his entire lifetime he
was a dedicated Zionist, a com-
mitment that is pursued by his
children.
Born in Poland, Mr. Laker
came to Canada in 1920 and was
educated in Windsor. He came to
the United States in 1926, the
same year he married the former
Sarah Kleiman. He died April 23

at age 77.

He was associated with the
wiping cloth industry for many
years and in 1946 opened his own
company, the Ace Wiping Cloth
Aco. From 1969 to 1973, .Mr.
Laker was a director of the Inter-

national Association of Wiping
Cloth Manufacturers.
His communal affiliations were
legion. He held every office in the
Pinsker Progressive Aid Society
and in 1981 was elected its
president. In 1974, the Pinsker
Society named the Lakers its
couple of the year. He served on
the board of the Jewish National
Fund and in 1982, he and his wife
were tendered a testimonial
dinner by the organization.
State of Israel Bonds named
him its man of the year in 1969
and he was inducted into- the
Prime Minister's Club of Bonds.
In 1979, he and Mrs. Laker re-
ceived the Lien of Judah Award
of Israel Bonds.
Mr. Laker was on the board of
the Hebrew Benevolent Society
and held membership in Blue
Lodge of the Masons, Craftsman
Lodge of the Masons, Scottish
Rite. COnsistory, Moslem Temple,

Crescent and boulevard Shrine
Clubs, Order of the Eastern Star,
Histadrut, Labor Zionist Al-
liance, Detroit Round Table of
the National Conference of
Christians and Jews, the Beth
Achim Men's Club of which he
was president, and Cong.
Shaarey Zedek Men's Club. He
also was a 32nd degree Mason.
Mr. Laker received the com-
munity service award from the
Jewish Welfare Federation, a ci-
tation from the Masonic Temple
Building Fund and in 1968 was
named radio station WWWW-
FM's citizen of the day. He also is
listed in Who's Who in Michigan.
Mr. Laker is survived by his
wife, Sarah; three sons, Irving,
Dr. Gerald and Martin; two
brothers, Benjamin of
Downsview, Ont., and Dr. Harold
of Evanston, Ill.; a sister, Mrs.
Melvin (Etta) Mermell; eight
grandchildren and one great-
grandchild. Services 12 noon
Sunday at Cong Beth Achim.

Betty Chandler

Betty C. Chandler, an active
member of Jewish groups, died
April 20 at age 63.
Born in New York City, Mrs.
Chandler was a member of
Hadassah, National Council of
Jewish Women,' Allied Jewish
Campaign, Women's American
ORT, Sinai Hospital Guild and
Cong.. Beth Shalom and its sis-
terhood.
She leaves her husband, Dr.
Jospeh; two sons, Mitchell and
Elliot; and a daughter Elissa of
Berkeley, Calif.

Hubert Watson

Hubert Patrick Watson, psy-
chology instructor at Wayne
State University and Madonna
College, died April 18 at age 65.
A native Detroiter, Mr. Watson
held bachelor's, master's and
Ed.D. degrees in psychology at
Wayne State University. He was
a member of the Retired Officers
Association, Founders society .of
the .Detroit Institute of Arts and
Temple Beth El.
He leaves his wife, Elsie; a son, •
William Patrick; a daughter,
Pamela Louise; and two
grandchildren.

Bessie Belinson

Bessie "Luba" Belinson, a
member of Jewish communal
organizations, died April 22 at
age 104.
Born in Russia, Mrs. Belinson
lived 52 years in Detroit. She was
a member of Temple Israel and
its sisterhood, Sinai Hospital
Guild and Hadassah.
She leaves a son, Dr. Louis of
Largo, Fla; a daughter, Mrs.
Harry (May) Heiman; three
grandchildren and three great-
grandchildren.

Remember the
1 1 th Commandment:

"And Thou
Shalt be
Informed'

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