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Obituaries

'Mr. President'

H

arvey Willens was commonly
referred to by his friends
and family as the "President
of Everything."
"Harvey was active in this communi-
ty in a way that transcends the usual,"
said Rabbi David Syme of Temple Beth
El in Bloomfield Township.
Mr. Willens, 87, of Franklin, died Oct.
11, 2007.
Harvey served as president of
Temple Beth El from 1973 to 1974, dur-
ing the period when the current build-
ing was built. He also was president of
the Adcraft Club, the Probus Club of
Detroit, the Advertising Typographers
of America and Franklin Hills Country
Club. He was a trustee of Sinai Hospital
of Detroit and the Boys and Girls
Club of Detroit and a chairman of the
Arts and Crafts division of the United
Jewish Appeal.
A highlight of his communal service
was when he was presented the Medal
of Honor at a State of Israel Bonds
dinner by Israeli foreign minister and

diplomat Abba Eban.
"Harvey was one of the kindest
human beings I have ever known," said
Rabbi Syme. "In his soft-
spoken way, he earned
the loyalty of those who
worked with him and
those who socialized
with him and his wife,
Jean. He created an
atmosphere that was
safe and in which every-
one felt comfortable."
Harvey graduated
from the University of
Michigan and did gradu- Harvey Willen
ate work at New York
University. He served as a meteorolo-
gist in the Navy as a lieutenant junior-
grade officer stationed in Chungking,
China, and in the Pacific during the
World War II. After the war, he took
over his father's typesetting business,
acting as president of George Willens
and Company for 30 years.
Harvey lived life to the fullest and is

remembered for his love of golf, dance,
U-M football and, most importantly,
his dedication to his friends and family
— as evidenced by the more than 700
people who paid their respects at his
funeral.
"But, Harvey's family
lay at the very core of his
being," said Rabbi Syme.
"He met Jean when he
was 17, and she was just
15. They were married for
66 years — an unbelievable
marriage of love, under-
standing, commitment and
loyalty.
"He adored his daugh-
ters, Joan and Amy, and
their children, Geoffrey and
Leslie," added the rabbi.
"Joan said to me, 'My childhood was
like a fairy tale. I was raised in a fam-
ily where my father spent time with us
and talked to us and took us to movies,
Detroit Lions and U-M football games.'
"The love that Harvey demonstrated
was truly beyond compare," said Rabbi
Syme.
Harvey Willens leaves behind his

wife, Jean; daughters, Joan Abraham
and Amy (Ben) Rosenberg; grand-
children, Geoffrey (Jill) Abraham and
Leslie Rosenberg; and great-grand-
daughter, Joey Rose Abraham.
He was the brother-in-law of Sylvia
and Erwin Harvith, who were so dear to
him and a significant part of his life.
He was also loved by many nieces
and nephews, Anita and Donald Baron,
Alan and Freda Harvith, Elloitt and
Marlene Harvith, Arlene and William
Robbins, Richard Sarut, Robert Sarut,
Arlene and David Buckland; and many
grandnieces, grandnephews and a
world of friends.
Mr. Willens was the loving brother of
the late Bernice Allen; dear brother-
in-law of the late John Allen, the late
Dorothy and the late William Sarut.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park
Cemetery. Contributions may be made
to the Sylvia and Erwin Harvith Fund
for the Blind, Detroit Medical Center,
3663 Woodward Ave., Suite 200,
Detroit, MI 48201 or to Temple Beth
El, 7400 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield
Hills, MI 48301. Arrangements by Ira
Kaufman Chapel. Li

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October 18 a 2007