Obituaries are updated regularly and archived on JN Online:
www.detroitjewishnews.corn

He Taught Laughter 101

DAVID SACHS
Editorial Assistant

A

telephone campaign worker
once asked Ben Halpern for a
$25 contribution for
Michigan U.S. Senator Carl
Levin, not knowing that
he was soliciting the sen-
ator's father-in-law. "I
won't give that bum 25
cents," replied Mr.
Halpern. He got my
daughter Barbara preg-
nant three times."
Benjamin Halpern of
Southfield, who honed
his sense of humor over
101 years, died Sept. 28.
Mr. Halpern's family
credited his longevity to
not only good genes, but
also his ability to laugh
and make others laugh.
Rabbi David Nelson,
Ben Halpern
who knew Ben and his
late wife Esther when
they attended Congregation Beth
Shalom, remembered his wonderful
smile and his profound knowledge of
the Jewish tradition, which he loved and
practiced."
Son Irving Halpern said his father
had "a smile that could light up an
entire room. His sense of humor taught
us how to laugh at the world and at our-

Mr. Halpern's early life in Europe was
filled with war and adversity. Born in
1898 in Bialystok, he was drafted into
the czar's army during World War I,
remaining through the Russian
Revolution. He was later captured by
the Germans and, being fluent in seven
languages, put into service as a transla-
tor. He won the confidence of a
German officer who helped him escape.
Serving again in the Russian army,
Mr. Halpern made it to Lithuania,
.where he worked as a bookkeeper until
his immigration to the U.S. in 1928.
Mr. Halpern once wrote, "When I
got to Detroit I was amazed at the free-
dom available to me. I remember asking
my brother if we had to go to the police
station to register. He just laughed... It
seems like a small thing, but after all I
had been through, it was a symbol of
what America had to offer."
In Detroit, Mr. Halpern operated a
wholesale fish business in the Eastern
Market and later in Ypsilanti. Beginning
in the 1940s, he dealt in real estate,

104 3_
1999

.

138 Detroit Jewish News

eventually purchasing the Field Hotel
near Belle Isle, the Oak Motel on
Woodward Avenue in Royal Oak and
the Embassy Motel on Eight Mile Road
in Oak Park.
Mr. Halpern maintained a great love
for America and in his will, left a
bequest to the United
States.
"He paid his taxes all his
life, but he wanted to give
back," said daughter
Barbara Levin. "He felt -
very grateful to be here —
and indebted. I think he
bristled at people who
didn't realize how lucky
they were to be in this
country.
"He certainly was very
proud to be Carl's father-
in-law. He would collect
petitions for Carl when he
ran for the Detroit City
Council and the Senate."
He also advised his
son-in-law on how to
inject humor into his campaigning.
Recalled the senator, "When I first ran
for office, Dad told me to warm up the
audience." Mr. Halpern gave him an old
"Jewish time" joke to tell about calling
the time service in Israel and being told
that it was "8 o'clock — 8:30 at the lat-
est.
At the 1990 state Democratic con-
vention, which had a "family" theme,
Mr. Halpern addressed the delegates,
telling them the story of the telephone
solicitor who wanted $25 for Senator
Levin. "He was really the hit of the con-
vention," remembered Barbara Levin.
It was just a riot."
Mr. Halpern is survived by his sons
and daughter-in-law, Irving and Eleanor
Halpern of Los Angeles, Daniel Halpern
of Belmont, Calif.; daughter and son-in-
law Barbara and Carl Levin of Detroit;
grandchildren Beverly and David
Halberstadter, Sheri Mascoro, Gail
Halpern, Eric Halpern, Kate Levin-
Markel and Dr. Howard Markel, Laura
and Daniel Levin, Erica Levin; and five
great-grandchildren.
Mr. Halpern was the beloved hus-
band of the late Esther Halpern and the
loving grandfather of the late Sara
Halpern.
Contributions may be made to a
charity of one's choice. Interment was at
Hebrew Memorial Park. Services and
arrangements by Hebrew Memorial
Chapel. LI

The Neighborhood Pharmacist

friend Dr. Jules Levey, "who knew my
dad and hung out at the store, hap-
pened to be on duty and basically
saved his life.
lbert Lupiloff, 79, of
"When Dr. Levey, who has since
Southfield, who died Sept.
moved to Massachusetts, recently
28, is remembered as one
heard that my father was dying, he
of the dwindling number
flew in to see him.
of independent neigh-
That's
the kind of
borhood druggists.
respect
people had for
For more than 40
him."
years at Lupi's Super
Mr. Lupiloff was a
Drugs, on Schaefer
boxer at Wayne
south of Eight Mile in
University, winning his
Detroit, Mr. Lupiloff
first 31 bouts, but retir-
shared his sweat, joy,
ing after his first loss.
and once during a rob-
"He was a light
bery, his blood, with
heavyweight
champion,
the store.
Golden Gloves champi-
Lupi's Drugs was in
on," said Steven. Of his
the middle of the
last bout, Mr. Lupiloff
Jewish communities of
used to say, "I remem-
northwest Detroit and
ber not enjoying look-
south Oak Park. Mr.
ing for a soft place to
Lupiloff, known to his
fall on the mat."
patrons as "Lupi” or
Albert
Lupiloff
Mr. Lupiloff was
"Doc," owned and
married to Marian for
operated the store from
56 years. At breakfast every morning
the 1950s through the 1980s. He
he would greet his wife with the
often worked 14 hours a day, seven
line, "Hello pretty girl. Did I tell
days a week.
you
I love you?"
Lupi's was one of the first self-ser-
"He
was a wonderful, wonderful,
vice drug stores in Detroit. It was a
warm
human
being," said Steven.
hub of activity," said his wife,
Mr. Lupiloff was a 1942 graduate of
Marian.
Wayne University, a member of AZO
Son Steven said the store "was a
pharmaceutical fraternity and Gamma
hang-out for all the Jewish elemen-
Kappa Chi. He was a World War II
tary and high school kids in the
veteran, a Shriner, a member of Henry
neighborhood," and a place of
Morgenthau Lodge of B'nai B'rith and
employment for them.
a
member of ROMEO Group (Retired
"My father would often support
Old Men Eating Out).
the kids and help them financially
He is survived by his wife,
through school," said Steven. It was
Marian; sons and daughters-in-law
not only the Jewish community, but
Steven and Cynthia Lupiloff of West
as the neighborhood changed, my
father remained there and helped the Bloomfield, Gary and Stacey Lupiloff
of Birmingham; daughter Marlene
black kids and other children who
Lupiloff of West Bloomfield; grand-
moved in, not only in terms of
children Jennifer and Dana Lupiloff,
advice but financially as well. My
Emily Lupiloff, Molly Brazz, Monica
father was an absolute believer in
Lupiloff, Nicole Lupiloff, Alexandra
education."
Wenson, Alyson Wenson and Ashley
Mr. Lupiloff had a great affinity
Wenson; sister Shirley Silverman of
for other independent druggists. His
Oak Park; brothers-in-law and sis-
wife recalls, "When we traveled
ters-in-law Maury and Shirley
through small towns, he would walk
Gordon,
Charlotte Rosenberg, Dr.
into little drug stores and introduce
Victor and Beverly Gordon, Bess and
himself and browse."
Cal Goldberg.
In 1985, two robbers, in broad
He was the dear brother of the late
daylight, forced him at gunpoint to
Morrie Silverman and the late Jack
open the store's safe. He complied,
Rosenberg.
but was shot in the chest anyway.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park
The police responded in one minute
Cemetery.
Arrangements by Ira
and took him to Mt. Carmel
Kaufman
Chapel.
Hospital. There, Steven said, his

DAVID SACHS
Editorial Assistant

A