Obituaries
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B
Always A Joke, Always A 'mile
enjamin Brant always had a
joke and smile for everyone,"
said Blanche, his wife of 62
years. "He was a wonderful and corn-
passionate man with a genuine interest
in everyone he met."
Benjamin Brant, 80, of West
Bloomfield, died of heart failure on
Aug.17, 2007. For 50 years, he owned
American Pipe and Supply in Detroit
and Wayne.
"He was such a magnet to people
— even when he was sick, he made oth-
ers feel good," said daughter Elaine
Surnow. "Everyone called him Uncle
Bennie."
Ben was very active in commu-
nity service. He was a member of
Congregation B'nai David, the B'nai
Frith, the Masons, Perfection Lodge,
Crescent Shrine Club, Scottish Rite and
Oakland Century Club. One of his great-
est pleasures was taking handicapped
children to the Shrine Circus year after
year. He was also active in Israel Bonds.
In the Navy during World War II,
the lake for boaters or swimmers in
Ben served in the Pacific on the USS
distress. On two occasions, he rescued
Indianapolis and the USS Chilton.
others — saving the lives of four people,
Blanche, having just seen Ben in
including a father and son.
Detroit, traveled by train to San
At Ben's funeral, he was honored by
Francisco with her moth-
the presence of a gen-
er to visit him before
eral, an admiral and mem-
he shipped out again,
bers of the Jewish War
wanting to see him "one
Veterans and Masons.
more time." Ben was
Ben loved to golf, bowl,
experienced in plumbing
water-ski and spend time
and heating and cooling
with the joy of his life, his
and was greatly valued
cherished grandchildren.
aboard ship to run the
His family and countless
boilers. A sympathetic
friends will miss his won-
officer let Ben leave on
derful sense of humor and
a later ship so he could
zest for life.
Benjamin Bra nt
spend time with Blanche
Benjamin Brant is
— a move that probably saved his life as survived by his wife, Blanche; son,
the original ship, the Indianapolis, was
Dr. Norman Brant of Bloomfield Hills;
torpedoed, resulting in a horrific loss of
daughter and son-in-law, Elaine and
crewmen.
Jeffrey Surnow of West Bloomfield;
Years later, the Brants had a home
beautiful grandchildren, Scott Brant
on Lake St. Clair in Canada and during
and fiancee Megan Dexter, Ronnie and
inclement weather Ben would scour
Noah Brant, Sam, Max and Lisa Surnow;
beloved sister-in-law Mattie Frederick;
nieces and nephews including Paula
and Mike Ceresnie, Gail and Kenneth
Posner, Roslyn and Dr. Leo Steiman,
Georganne and William Wolf and many
more. He was also survived by many
wonderful friends.
He was the loving father of the late
Jacqueline Myra Brant; the loving son
of the late Lena and the late George
Brant; and the dear brother of the late
Jenny Leonard, the late Josephine
Weinberger, the late Phil Brant, the late
Morris Brant, the late Louis Brant and
the late Jack Brant.
Interment was at Machpelah
Cemetery. Contributions may be made
to Make-A-Wish Foundation, 230 Huron
View Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103-2948
or a charity of one's choice.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
Chapel. II
MIRIAM ALTMAN, 91, of Southfield,
died Aug. 26, 2007.
Prior to retirement in 1973, Miss
Altman was associated with the Mount
Clemens Public Library for 31 years,
first as an assistant librarian and then as
director in 1956. She received both her
bachelor and master's degrees in library
science from the University of Michigan.
She was a member of the American
Library Association, the Michigan
Library Association and Delta Kappa
Gamma Honorary Educational Society.
Miss Altman was also a member of
Women's American ORT, Beth Tephilath
Moses Synagogue and the Macomb
Historical Society.
She is survived by her sisters, Rose
Fleiner of California, Molly Webb of
Florida; nieces, nephews, great-nieces,
great-nephews.
Miss Altman was the devoted daugh-
ter of the late Julius and the late Sadie
Altman; loving sister of the late Morris
Altman.
Interment at Beth Tephilath Moses
Cemetery. Contributions may be made
to Beth Tephilath Moses Synagogue, 146
South Ave., Mount Clemens, MI 48040;
Mount Clemens Public Library, 150 Cass,
Mount Clemens, MI 48043, attn. Donald
Worrell, director; or to a charity of one's
choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
Chapel.
Mr. Goldsmith is survived by his
sons and daughter-in-law, Len and
Denise Goldsmith, Les Goldsmith, Bob
Goldsmith; grandchildren, Zach and
Sarah; sister, Onny Rope and her family.
SEYMOUR A. CHAFETZ, 72, of
Southfield, died Aug. 22, 2007.
He enlisted with Elvis Presley and was
stationed with him in Germany where
he wrote for Stars and Stripes. Upon
his return, he became a manager at Al's
Market in the Cass Corridor and then
worked at Supreme Distributors. He was
also a member of the teamsters.
Mr. Chafetz is survived by his wife
of 47 years, Lois Chafetz of Southfield;
children, Ellen and Michael Shaler of
Oakland, Calif., Mark and Jill Chafetz
of Clawson, Carolyn and David March
of Northampton, Mass.; grandchildren,
Alexandra and Emily Chafetz, Kevin and
Daniel March; brother and sister-in-law,
Allan and Ruth Chafetz of Southfield;
many loving nieces and nephews.
Mr. Chafetz was the beloved son of the
late Ida and the late Joseph Chafetz; lov-
ing brother of the late Natalie "Tommy"
Frumin and the late Florine "Fradel"
Ordin.
Interment at Machpelah Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to a char-
ity of one's choice. Arrangements by Ira
Kaufman Chapel.
VILMOS
CZUCKERMANN,
97, of Oak Park, died
Aug. 20, 2007.
He is survived by
his daughter and son-
in-law, Hedy and Dr.
Warren Tessler of
Ho
UST West Bloomfield;
S
tOR grandchildren, Dr.
Michelle and Dr.
Ben Bassichis, Dr. Goldie
and Dr. Joel Cohen; grand-
children by marriage, Rebbetzin Rachel
and Rabbi Asher Lopatin, Dr. David and
Mary Tessler, Dr. Ruth Tessler and Stuart
Zisholtz; 11 great-grandchildren.
Mr. Czuckermann was the beloved hus-
band of the late Margareta Czuckermann;
dear father-in-law of the late Dr. Joseph
Mantel.
Contributions may be made to a char-
ity of one's choice. Interment at Hebrew
Memorial Park. Arrangements by Hebrew
Memorial Chapel.
RICHARD GOLDSMITH, 86, for-
merly of Detroit of Scottsdale, Ariz., died
Aug. 13, 2007.
He was born in 1921 in Vienna,
Austria, and was a U.S. Army veteran of
World War II.
Senior Copy Editor David Sachs contributed to
this report.
HARRY GREEN, 85, of Stockbridge,
died Aug. 23, 2007.
He is survived by his sons and daugh-
ters-in-law, Paul and Tamra Green of
Stockbridge, David and Yaya Green of
Kalamazoo; daughters and sons-in-law,
Patricia and Rusty Lamont of Grosse
Pointe Woods, Janice and Daniel Hull
of San Diego, Calif.; sisters, Blanche
Foreman of Southfield, Molly Mondroe
of West Bloomfield; grandchildren, Alona
Green, Sonya Green, Michelle Lamont,
Andrew Lamont, Jason Hull, Jennifer
Hull.
Mr. Green was the beloved husband of
the late Ann Green.
Contributions may be made to a
charity of one's choice. Services and
interment at Clover Hill Park Cemetery.
Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial
Chapel.
Obituaries on page 82
August 30 • 2007
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