Everyone's 'Big Brother'

Bill Carroll
Contributing Writer

I

rving Laker was "bigger than life as
his two brothers characterized him.
He was big in stature: tall, broad-
shouldered and a talented athlete as a
young man. But he also was big in his
family relationships, the business world,
the Detroit Jewish community and as a
philanthropist.
He was never "too busy" to help, and
never said "no" to anyone or any organiza-
tion needing assistance. He was a take-
charge person who didn't dawdle, but just
got things done.
Mr. Laker, 83, of Bloomfield Hills, the
patriarch of one of local Jewry's most
benevolent families, died at his Bloomfield
Hills home Dec. 17, 2011.
The cause of death was renal failure,
part of complications from lymphoma —
one of three cancers that had afflicted him
in his lifetime.
"His doctors described him as a medical
marvel: said his brother Gerald of Beverly
Hills. "He suffered from prostate cancer,
that spread to seven sites in his body, for
the past 15 years and went through many
rounds of chemotherapy and powerful
radiation treatments that affected other
tissues. He spent about an hour each
morning pumping out fluid from his legs.
"He then took more treatments for
lymphoma. But he had great determina-
tion and a strong will to live, and he had
outstanding medical care. He lived much
longer than all the doctors predicted:'
Mr. Laker was mostly bedridden in
recent months and hadn't gone out since
Gerald pushed him in a wheelchair up
to the bimah to have an aliyah at Yom
Kippur morning services at Congregation
Shaarey Zedek in Southfield. He was a past
president of the synagogue and its men's
club and past chairman of Clover Hill Park
Cemetery, Birmingham.
"Irving had Yiddishkeit in his blood and
he loved Shaarey Zedek," said Rabbi Joseph
Krakoff in his eulogy at the Dec. 19 funeral
at the synagogue. "He was the go-to guy
to solve any problems in the family or in
business. He showed by his actions how
much he cared for everyone. He told me

PROFESSOR ARNOLD
LOUIS GOLDSMITH,
83, died Dec. 17, 2011.
Professor Goldsmith
loved his family, his
profession and the arts.
Above all, he cherished
his wife, Gladys. They
Goldsmith
grew up on the same
block in Boston and were married in 1950.
Professor Goldsmith attended Boys
Latin and Boston University before study-
ing English at the University of Wisconsin.

Business Acumen
Irving Laker was the longtime president of
what is now Ace-Tex Enterprises in Detroit,
a family business started as Ace Wiping
Cloth by his parents, Harry and Sarah Laker
in 1946. The company sells industrial wip-
ing cloths plus paint preparation products
used in auto industry plants worldwide. The
firm has five other North American offices
and 200 employees.
Martin Laker became president when
Irving Laker retired in 2009 to become
honorary board chairman.
"He performed best under pressure, and
he always seemed to turn adversity into
success. He was interested in the business
almost to the end, and he was always a
great idea man': said Martin. "His business
acumen helped make our company grow.
"When I drove him to the office a few
days a week in recent years, we had a
wonderful time reminiscing about our
parents, the minor disagreements we had
in the business and just laughing over the
humorous incidents of the past.
"He was not only a beloved brother to

us, but he was everyone's big brother."
Also speaking at the funeral for the
family were Mr. Laker's daughters, Andrea
Laker of West Bloomfield, Kim Freid of
Boston, and two of his three grandchil-
dren, Josh Laker and Harrison "Harry"
Freid. They referred to him as "the great
warrior,""the father with the smiling face
"the mentor:'"the superstae"the awesome
pa (grandfather) who always asked if we
needed anything, and sent us packages
every Wednesday, and was ready to have a
party any day of the week."
Scott Kaufman, CEO of
' the Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit, which
Mr. Laker supported gener-
ously, said: "Irving had an
indomitable spirit. Although
he was known for many
public acts of charity, he
also did a lot anonymously,
things that no one knew
about. And he cared deeply
for Israel. He will be dearly
missed."
Myron Milgrom of
Southfield was Mr. Laker's
((very good friend" since
their days at Detroit
Central High School and the University of
Michigan, where Laker graduated with a
degree in business administration before
entering the family business.
"The Lakers always have been a dose-knit
family and the brothers were very devoted to
their parents:' Milgrom pointed out.
At Central, Mr. Laker was an All-City
high-jumper on the track team, football
lineman and basketball player. He tried
out for football at U-M, but a knee injury
ended his career early.
Pointing out how the Bible tells everyone
to honor thy mother and father, Rabbi E.B.
"Bunny" Freedman of the Jewish Hospice
and Chaplaincy Network said, "All of Irving's
virtues can be attributed to his parents. He
honored them and got 15 more years of life."
Milgrom was with Mr. Laker at an Ann
Arbor hospital when he was diagnosed
with testicular cancer at the age of 32. "He
thought he was dying; that was the end:'
Milgrom recalls. "But he took treatments
and beat the odds. The experience changed
his life completely. After that, he decided
to live life to the fullest. He gave parties for
the slightest occasion."

There he discovered his love of teaching
and received his Ph.D. in 1953. For 39
years at Wayne State University, he shared
his passion for American literature and
knowledge of writing with countless stu-
dents. Although known to be a demand-
ing teacher, he was widely loved and
respected. Professor Goldsmith published
four books and many articles on writers
such as Melville, James, and Malamud. The
Golem Remembered helped to revive inter-
est in a neglected Jewish legend. Nature
as Interior Structure demonstrated the

persistence of nature imagery in urban
American fiction.
Professor Goldsmith's lifelong interests
included traveling, drawing and the Red
Sox. Every other summer for 30 years, he
and Gladys vacationed with their chil-
dren's families, starting with reunions at
Nantasket, their favorite beach. His gift for
careful listening led to intelligent, caring
conversations that will be missed by all.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years,
Gladys; children, Janet (Steven) Sarratore,
Marsha (Mark) Goldsmith Kamin, Steven

many times,`Don't worry, Rabbi, every-
thing will work its way out' — and it did."
Gerald Laker added: "He had a great gift
of being able to get things done quickly
and properly. He helped family members
and other individuals financially on a daily
basis without recognition or fanfare. He
didn't need a plaque or a testimonial din-
ner. He had tenderness and compassion,
and he just loved to help people."
Brother Martin,
of West Bloomfield
remembered how Mr.
Laker never complained
about the infections
and other complications
and treatments from
his illnesses. "In fact, he
enjoyed watching the
doctors scratch their
heads over his amaz-
ing recoveries': mused
Martin."Despite every-
thing, he had a strong
inner strength, but his
body just broke down at Irving Laker
the end."

Obituaries

Said Rabbi Krakoff: "That was the defin-
ing moment in his life. He was thankful on
a daily basis, enjoying every second and
turning every day into a major event:'

A Life Of Philanthropy
With a new outlook on life and success
in business, Mr. Laker plunged into the
world of philanthropy. Because of his
dedication to Shaarey Zedek, he and his
wife, Beverly, established an educational
and youth center and sponsored many
concerts, much to the delight of congre-
gants. He also opened a JARC home in
honor of his parents.
Laker followed in his father's footsteps by
helping the old Hebrew Benevolent Society
and the Pinsker Progressive Aid Society. He
served on the advisory committee of the
Friendship Circle, supporting the Friendship
House in West Bloomfield. He was a board
member of the Fund for Cancer Research
through the Karmanos Cancer Institute's
Weisberg Cancer Treatment Center in
Farmington Hills.
He also was a board member of the
Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network,
and he endowed numerous funds for the
elderly and to send young people to study
in Israel.
With both Irving and Beverly going
through illnesses, he would receive daily
inquiries about their health. Never the
naysayer, Mr. Laker always would give an
upbeat answer: "We're doin' just fine."
Irving Laker is survived by his wife,
Beverly, of 58 years; daughters, Andrea
Laker and Kim (Gerald) Freid; grandchil-
dren, Jared Freid, Harrison "Harry" Freid
and Josh Laker; brothers, Dr. Gerald (Elaine)
Laker and Martin (Renee) Laker; adminis-
trative assistant, Diane Koenig; caregivers,
Trish Wilson and Peggy Kutley.
Contributions may be made to the Jewish
Hospice and Chaplaincy Network, the Irving
and Beverly Laker Fund, 6555 W. Maple,
West Bloomfield 48322, (248) 592-2687,
www.jewishhospice.org ; Congregation
Shaarey Zedek, the Harry and Sarah Laker
Concert Fund, 27375 Bell Road, Southfield,
48034, (248)357-5544, www.shaareyzedek.
org; or Temple Israel, the Harry and Sarah
Laker Concert Fund, 5725 Walnut Lake
Road, West Bloomfield 48323, (248) 661-
5700, www.temple-israel.org .
Interment at Clover Hill Park Cemetery;
arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. 1-1

(Cathy) Goldsmith; grandchildren, Alana
(Greg) Mulford, Shira (William) Good,
Andrew (Lindsey) Sarratore, Sam and Joel
Goldsmith; great-grandchildren, Sophia
Good and Austin Mulford; Mark's children
and grandchildren, Rochelle (Brad) and
Zoey Minus, Amira (Jeff), Chaya and Sam
Gaynor.
Contributions may be made to Wayne
State University in support of the English
Dept. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.

Obituaries on page 42

December 22 2011

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