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He Was Everybody's Best Friend'
DAVID SACHS
Editorial Assistant
Z
est, elan, passion. That's
how friends and family
describe the special spark
that Jascha Gelman
brought into their lives.
Known as Jascha to everyone, he
was passionate about the finer and fun
things in life, be it gourmet food or
downhill skiing. But he saved his
strongest passion for people.
"He lit up the room when he
walked in, and people wanted to be
around him," said his friend, Rabbi
Michael Mellen.
"The first thing you noticed about
him was his good looks. Girls loved
him. His smile, his humor and the way
he connected to and talked with people
made him special."
Jascha Gelman, 26, of West
Bloomfield, was an attorney for a year
when he died in a traffic collision in
Bloomfield Township on Oct. 6. He
was employed by his father, family law
attorney Sandy Gelman, and was on
his way to deliver legal papers to the
Oakland County Courthouse in
Pontiac at the time of his death.
Jascha, a graduate of the University
SOL ALPINER, 73, of Southfield,
died Oct. 4.
He is survived by his wife, Irene
Alpiner; son and daughter-in-law Dr.
Neal and Karen Alpiner of Franklin;
daughters and sons-in-law Tobie and
Thomas Hartman of Farmington
Hills, Pamela and Donald Cohen of
Farmington Hills; sisters Rose
Bogrow, Edith Seignal; grandchildren
Brian Hartman, Steven Hartman,
Marcie Hartman, Emily Cohen, Brett
Alpiner, Sean Alpiner, Kallie Alpiner,
Brendan Alpiner, and Kyra Alpiner.
Contributions may be made to a
charity of one's choice. Interment was
at Machpelah Cemetery. Services and
arrangements by Hebrew Memorial
Chapel.
ALVIN A. DANN, 80, former
Detroiter of New York, died Oct. 6.
He was a public relations executive for
advertising agencies.
Mr. Dann graduated from the
University of Michigan in 1942 and
was editor of the Michigan Daily
newspaper. He was a reporter for the
Detroit News and served in World War
of Michigan and the University of
Detroit Mercy law school, won the
confidence of clients and judges alike,
said his father. "He was really getting
into law. When I went out of town,
),
Jascha took over.
Oakland Circuit Judge Gene
Schnelz said, "I found Jascha to be an
extremely bright and articulate young
man. He would have developed into an
excellent attorney. He was an infec-
tiously friendly person."
Cary Storchan, a law colleague of
Sandy and Jascha Gelman, described
the relationship between father and
son: "It was wonderful to see so much
love, particularly when you're working
in a divorce law atmosphere, where all
you see is conflict," he said.
Jascha's mother, Judy Gelman, said,
"Friends told me that nobody else
made them feel as happy or as special.
They said the happiest times of their
lives have been with Jascha. He was
everybody's best friend."
As well as having a vast array of
friendships, Jascha was "best friends"
with his brother Gabe, Gabe's friends,
his parents' friends and some of his
friends' parents.
Part of Jascha's appeal to people was
the sharing of his passions for enjoying
II as a reporter for Stars and Stripes.
He was later a reporter for Fairchild
Publications, public relations director
at Collier's magazine and communica-
tions director at the Association of
National Advertisers.
He served as vice president for cor-
porate information for Interpublic
Group of Companies, an advertising
group, until 1980. He then opened
Alvin A. Dann Associates, public rela-
tions consultants promoting advertis-
ing agencies.
Mr. Dann is survived by his wife,
Rosalind; brother Mike Dann; sister
Barbara Berry of Bloomfield Hills;
daughters Marlene Dann and Hillary
Dann; stepchildren Steven Cherry and
Betsy Ambrosino; grandchildren
Jeremy, Jake, Gabrielle, Tom and
Derek.
Interment in New York.
PHILIP J. FEALK, 74, of
Huntington Woods, died Oct. 6.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth
Fealk; sons and daughters-in-law
Bruce and Peggy Fealk of Rochester
Hills, Steven and Susan Fealk of
in. Many attor-
life. "He loved being alive
neys and judges
and being with people and
from Oakland
wanted to be perfect in
County also
everything he did," said
attended. Andover
Rabbi Mellen.
High School in
Jascha would often cook
Bloomfield
gourmet meals for people
Township, where
or supply a complete list of
Judy Gelman
favorite restaurants to eat at
teaches Spanish,
and what foods to order.
closed so that
"He should have opened
teachers and stu-
a business giving advice to
dents could
Jascha Gelman
people," said Sandy
attend. "The out-
Gelman. He would always
pouring was amazing," she said.
be on the phone, advising friends.
In addition, a friend is starting a
"He wanted to plan your life so you
Web site to share memories of Jascha:
were happy," said Judy Gelman.
jaschagelman.com
Jascha's love of sports included
Jascha is survived by his parents,
skiing, tennis, backyard football
Sandy
and Judy Gelman of West
and following the Red Wings and
Bloomfield; brother Gabe Gelman
University of Michigan football.
of New York; and grandmother
"He had a need for physical chal-
Lillian Meyers. He was the loving
lenge," said Sandy Gelman. "He
grandson of the late Samuel Meyers
was fearless, but not foolish."
and the late Harold and the late
Once Jascha ran with the bulls in
Elsie Gelman.
Spain. His travels included France
Interment was at Beth El
and Turkey. He fell in love with
Memorial Park. Contributions may
Israel during a B'nai B'rith Youth
be made to the Jascha Gelman
Organization trip.
Memorial Fund, c/o Temple Kol
More than 1,000 people attended
Ami, 5085 Walnut Lake Road,
his funeral at Ira Kaufman Chapel.
West Bloomfield, MI 48323. ❑
Friends from all over the country came
Berkley; grandchildren Jessica and
Laura Fealk.
Mr. Fealk was the beloved father of
the late Joyce Fealk.
Graveside services were at
Machpelah Cemetery. Contributions
may be made to a charity of one's
choice. Arrangements by Dorfman
Funeral Direction.
MILTON E. FELDMAN, 95, of
Miami Beach, died Oct. 7.
Mr. Feldman was the former presi-
dent and chief executive officer of
Schratz Products. He was also a mem-
ber of Temple Israel.
Mr. Feldman is survived by his
wife, Stecia Berenson Feldman;
stepchildren Dr. Alan and Phyllis
Berenson of Ohio, Dr. Joel and Carole
Berenson of Georgia; brother and sis-
ter-in-law Harold and Evelyn
Feldman of New York; sister and
brother-in-law Helen and Howard
Koslow of New Jersey.
He was the beloved husband of the
late Sally Feldman.
Interment was at Beth El Memorial
Park. Contributions may be made to a
charity of one's choice. Arrangements
by Ira Kaufman Chapel.
ANN HACK, 78, of Newbury Park,
Calif., died Oct. 6.
Mrs. Hack is survived by her hus-
band, Leonard Hack; son and
daughter-in-law Gary and Sydney
Hack of California; grandchildren
Jamie, Courtney and Brandon Hack;
sisters and brothers-in-law Evelyn
and Jay Gerber of Farmington Hills,
Laura and Sigmond Kralik of
Florida; brothers and sister-in-law
Norman and Joan Goldin of
Farmington Hills, Jerry Goldin of
Florida.
She was the dear sister of the late
Millie Lipsitz.
Interment was at Machpelah
Cemetery. Contributions may be
made to a charity of one's choice.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
Chapel.
SIDNEY HELPERT, of Southfield,
died Oct. 11. Mr. Helpert was a sales-
man for a woolen store.
He is survived by his sister, Isabel