Obituaries
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Fighting For The Little Guy
Leonard Poger
Copy Editor
B
ernard Davis used the law to fight
for employees in labor relations.
During his lengthy career as a
lawyer, Mr. Davis represented the
Teamsters as well as unions covering bar-
bers, musicians and paint makers.
During his career, he helped unions
develop pensions and fair contracts with
benefits and decent wages.
Outside his law practice, he was an avid
reader, retaining much of What he read
and could spout famous dates in history as
well as provide the entire background of
an issue at a moment's notice.
Mr. Davis, 100, of Southfield,.died Dec.
16,2005; just six weeks short of his101st
birthday.
Last January, Mr. Davis was the subject
of a Jewish News story marking his 100th
birthday. In that story, daughter Judith
Freund said her father's views on labor
unions and social justice came from his •
Jewish values.
She remembers many family dinner
conversations as a youngster, hearing her
father talking about contract negotiations
and "fighting for the little guy."
She described her father as a "man of
grace ... He embraces people with humor
and curiosity. He enjoys learning about
people's backgrounds, where they come
from, what they do and how they live
He was also a lover .of classical music
and the fine arts.
The third youngest of 10 children, he
was the first in his family to graduate high
school. After entering New. York University,
he planned to become a doctor. But he
changed directions after dissecting frogs
and worms in a biology class. He earned
his bachelor's degree in law from St. John's
University.
He worked mostly in the.NewYork city ..,
From War Hero To Surgeon
digging. "Because ifs my Jeep': said Sakwa.
"That's why I like you': Patton replied.
In the closing months of the war, some-
one told Patton that Sakwa wanted to enroll
r. Saul Sakwa was an Army
infantry captain when he saw a
in the Wayne University School of -
Medicine, but his scheduled discharge was
pilot shot down over Germany
two months after the new school year
dangling from his parachute in a tree.
began. The general
Ignoring German gunfire,
arranged for Sakwa to be
Sakwa climbed the tree,
discharged early.
freed the pilot and got him to
Born in Detroit, Dr.
safety.
Sakwa received his bachelor
The rescue was witnessed
degrees in chemistry and
by 3rd Army Gen. George
pharmacy from Wayne.
Patton, who immediately
After medical school, he-
picked Sakwa to join his
served an internship at
staff. Later, Patton named
Saki,va and others to a spe-
Highland Park General
Hospital and a residency at
cial unit, which went into a
the Veterans Administration
combat ahead of the rest of
Dr. Saul Sak wa
the infantry
Hospital in Allen Park and
During the war, Sakwa earned two
Detroit Receiving Hospital before joining
Bronze Stars, a presidential citation . and two the staff at the new Sinai Hospital, starting
as chief resident in surgery and later pro-
Purple Hearts.
moted to chairman of the surgery depart-
He refused to tell his mother about the
medals "because he didn't want her to get
ment. He held that position for 24 years
before retiring in 1998.
frightened': said a son, Marc.
At Sinai, he served as chairman of the
Dr. Sakwa, 87, of.Farmington Hills, died
operating room committee and member of
Dec. 12, 2005, after a lengthy illness.
- the committees on education, medical staff
Marc related several stories about his
relations, and emergency room-ambulatory
father's relationship with Patton.
In one instance, during the Battle of the
care.
Although he held major positions at
Bulge in December 1944, Patton saw Sakwa
Sinai, he shunned recognition, said Marc,
digging a Jeep out of a ditch. Patton ques-
also a doctor. "There was no arrogance
tioned why Sakwa, a captain, was doing the
Leonard Poger
Copy Editor
D
82
December 22 • 2005
area. In the late 1940s or
early`50s, he mentored his
office suite mate, Bella
Abzug, who had just grad-
uated law school. Abzug
later became a U.S.
Congresswoman from New
Bernard Davi
York City.
Besides helping employ-
ees join unions, he helped organize a syna-
gogue in Flushing, N.Y, and was elected its
president.
At the age of 75, he moved to Michigan
to be closer to family members. His
daughter, Judith, is executive director of
Birmingham Temple in Farmington Hills,
where Mr. Davis attended services.
He was admitted to the Michigan Bar
Association and continued to work as an
arbitrator both in Michigan and New York.
Judith said it wasn't unusual for her father,
then in his early 80s, to board a 7 a.m.
plane for 1.\iew York Ci , preside over a
about him. He would talk to the guy mop-
ping the [hospital] floor or the lady serving
lunch."
Dr. Sakwa was a member of numerous
local, state and national medical organiza-
tions, serving as president and treasurer of
the Academy of Surgery of Detroit. He also
published numerous articles in medical
journals.
Dr. Sakwa was a member of Temple
Israel and the Tam O'Shanter Country Club.
"He was very humble, quiet, reserved
and a very loyal friend': said his son.
"My father's life was surgery," Marc said,
but in retirement Dr. Sakwa played golf and
traveled. Yet he refused to return to the war
zones in Europe.
Dr. Sakwa is survived by his wife,
Geraldine Sakwa; daughter and son-in-law,
Sharlee Sakwa Hoberman and Mel
Hoberman of West Bloomfield; sons and
daughters-in-law, Dr. Marc Sakwa and
Meryl of Bloomfield Hills, and Dr. Neal
Sakwa and Linda Taubman of Bloomfield
Hills; grandchildren, Jenna, Connor and
Sydney Sakwa, Tony Hoberman. He was the
dear brother of the late Tillie Sakwa
Nusbaum.
Interment was at Clover Hill-Park
Cemetery. Contributions may be made to
Dr. Saul Sakwa Memorial Fund, William
Beaumont Hospital, in care of Tim
Broderick, Beaumont Foundation, 3711 W.
13 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073.
Arrangements by the Ira Kaufman
Chapel. El
morning arbitration hearing
and return to Detroit the
same day.
Mr. Davis is survived by
his daughters and sons in- -
law, Judith and Allan Freund
of Commerce, Hemline and
Jack Nitzberg of New Jersey;
grandchildren, Ken and
Tanya Gordon, Caryn and
James McDowell, Gregg
Nitzberg, Barry Nitzberg,
Amy Nitzberg; great-grandchildren,
Heather and Felicia Gordon, Nadia and
Emily Nitzberg and Allan Freund's family -
Mr. Davis was the beloved husband of the
late Ruth Davis.
Interment was at Beth El Memorial
Park, Livonia. Contributions may be
'directed to the Birmingham Temple, 28611
W 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI
48334, or Children's Leukemia Foundation,
- 29777 Telegraph Road, Suite 1651, •
Southfield, MI 48034. Arrangements by Ira
Kaufman Chapel.
PAULINE ABRAMS, 88, of Davie, Fla., for-
Merly of Detroit, died Dec. 13, 2005.
She is survived by her brother and sister-
in-law, Jack and Yetta Trustman of Tucson,
Ariz.; grandchildren, James Hetzel, Kelli
Scott, Matt Scott, Brian Scott; 20 great-
grandchildren. She was the beloved wife of
the late Lou Abrams; loving mother of the
late Debbie Scott.
Contributions may be made to Jewish
Federation, 6760 W. Maple Road, West
Bloomfield, MI 48322. Services and inter-
ment at Adat Shalom Memorial Park
Cemetery Arrangements by Hebrew
Memorial Chapel.
MARIA KARDAS BARNA, of Ann Arbor,
died Dec. 10, 2005. A European concert pianist
and teacher in Moscovv, Budapest, Bucharest,
Jerusalem and Michigan, she was a member
of Mu Phi, an international music fraternity,
and Beth Israel Congregation in Ann Arbor.
Mrs. Barna is survived by a daughter and
son-in-law, Orit Cohen and Dr. Dan
Antonescu of Bayside, N.Y.; grandson, Evan
Jonathan Cohen; brother and sister-in-law,
Emeric and Vasilica Kardos of Montreal,
Quebec, Canada. She was the beloved wife of
the late Ion Barna.
Interment at Arborcrest Cemetery .
.
Contributions may be made to a charity of
one's choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
Chapel.