obituaries

A Limitless Life

Ronelle Grier
Contributing Writer

Merrill St.
He encouraged his wife and two sons,
Max and Sam, when they decided to cre-
effrey Surnow lived life to
ate their own business, Cooper Street
the fullest, with a
Cookies, based upon an old
family recipe. He took great
boundless optimism
pride in their accomplish-
and an energetic spirit that
touched everyone who knew
ments as the business grew and
him. On March 1, 2015,
became more and more suc-
Jeffrey was killed when his
cessful.
Jeff and his brother, Michael,
bicycle was struck by a police
car during a sunrise ride in
were born in Detroit and later
moved to Oak Park and then
Waikoloa, on the big island of
to Lexington, Mich. The broth-
Hawaii, where he was vaca-
tioning with his wife, Elaine.
ers remained close throughout
their lives, raising their respec-
He was 63.
Jeff's impact on the people Jeffrey Su rnow
tive families on the same West
he loved and the community
Bloomfield street, two houses
apart.
he so generously served was
demonstrated by the more
"They were the model of the
than 1,500 friends, colleagues, cycling
American kibbutz,"' said Rabbi Harold
buddies and family members who filled
Loss of Temple Israel, who officiated at
the sanctuary at Temple Israel in West
the funeral service, describing the fre-
Bloomfield for his funeral on Sunday,
quent group dinners and joint gatherings
March 8. In an unprecedented tribute,
the two families enjoyed.
100 cyclists rode part way in the funeral
Michael described his brother as a
procession as a special tribute to their
"63-year-old adolescent who never took
friend and the sport he loved so dearly.
his foot off the throttle for a moment"
"You passed away doing what you loved — a companion who was always there
in the place you loved best," said his son
to offer support, unconditional love and
Max, speaking at the funeral service.
acceptance.
Jeff was a founder and owner of the
Jeff and Elaine, who lived on the same
Birmingham-based real estate develop-
Oak Park block as children, met again
ment and management firm, the Surnow
while both were in California; and they
Company, where he spearheaded such
quickly formed a bond of love, respect
projects as the restoration of the his-
and friendship that lasted 30 years.
toric Birmingham Post Office and the
Carrying a white rose as she spoke dur-
30,000-square-foot office complex at 550
ing the funeral service, Elaine referred

j

RALPH ABRAMOWITZ,
90, of West Bloomfield,
died March 7, 2015.
He was founding direc-
tor of Orchards Children's
Services, which grew into
an extensive social service
agency in Michigan. He
Abramowitz
later became an associate
professor at the Wayne
State University School of
Social Work, where he taught for 22 years.
Known for developing innovative courses
while at Wayne, he earned the deep respect
and admiration of both students and col-
leagues.
Mr. Abramowitz was a devoted husband
and loving father.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years,
Harriet; son, Mordecai; daughter and son-
in-law, Corrinne and Howard Sharp; son
and daughter-in-law, David Abramowitz
and Linda Staheli; grandchildren, Simon
Sharp, Jacqueline Abramowitz and Joshua
Abramowitz.

60

March 12 • 2015

JN

A memorial service is planned for 2 p.m.
Friday, March 20, at the Jewish Community
Center in West Bloomfield. Contributions
may be made to Orchards Children's
Services, 24901 Northwestern Hwy.,
Suite 500, Southfield, MI 48075; Wayne
State University School of Social Work,
Wayne State University Fund Office, 5475
Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48202; or a
charity of one's choice.

MARTIN BAUM, 75, of
Southfield, died March 6,
2015.
An Army veteran of
the Vietnam War, he
had been a member of
the Zussman Chapter of
AZA B'nai B'rith Youth
Baum
Organization.
He is survived by his
wife of 30 years, Bernice
Baum; sons and daughter-in-law, Mark
Baum of Southfield, Adam and Kristi Magy
of Troy; brother and sister-in-law, Barry

ir

Obituaries

to Jeff as her "Prince Charming," a best
friend, soul mate and mentor who cared
for his family with wisdom, kindness and
generosity.
Family was Jeff's foremost priority.
Despite the demands of his career and his
numerous friends and athletic endeavors,
he always made time for Elaine and the
kids. Speaking at the funeral service, his
daughter, Lisa, described their annual
"extreme adventure" father-daughter trips
to places such as Machu Picchu in Peru,
where they enjoyed each other's company
as much as the exotic setting.
Jeff was always up for a physical chal-
lenge, whether it was climbing Mount
McKinley, the highest peak in North
America, or riding with Team Alex in the
three-day, 300-mile Wish-A-Mile bike
tour to benefit Make-A-Wish of Michigan.
His passion was contagious to those
around him, whom he inspired to achieve
more than they thought possible.
Jeff was a founder of the annual
Birmingham Bike Festival, a community-
wide event that has attracted cyclists and
participants of all ages for the past four
years. The festival, which includes team
events, amateur races, music, children's
activities and fundraising for various
charitable causes, has become a popular
addition to the Birmingham summer
scene.
As a boss, he set himself apart; he was
always fair, and everything he did was
near perfection," said Greg Leshman, who
worked with Jeff in his business and on
the annual bike festival. "He had an infec-
tious personality, and he made such a
contribution to the real estate and biking
communities and the charity world."
Jeff, who was an accomplished pilot,

and Pat Baum of West Bloomfield; sister,
Ruth Hall; brother-in-law, Louis Storbinsky;
grandson, Henry Isaac Magy.
Mr. Baum was the dear son of the late
Mary and the late Herman Baum; brother-
in-law of the late Annette Storbinsky.
Contributions may be made to American
Cancer Society, 20450 Civic Center Drive,
Southfield, MI 48076. Interment was held at
Clover Hill Park Cemetery in Birmingham.
Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel.

BERNICE "SIS"
BIRNKRANT, 85, of
Pontiac, died March 5,
2015.
Mrs. Birnkrant was a
past president of Temple
Beth Jacob Sisterhood and
a member of ORT.
Birnkrant
She is survived by her
c. 1990
sons and daughters-in-
law, Stephen and Frann
Birnkrant, Jon and Carol Birnkrant; grand-
children, Michael, Jaclyn, Allison and Jeffrey

often acted behind the scenes as a "silent
angel," using his plane to fly sick children
and their families to obtain medical treat-
ment not available locally. He brought
groups of children with autism and other
disabilities to spend time at his lakefront
home and helped numerous other people
without seeking credit or recognition. As
a baseball coach, he made all of the kids
feel comfortable and valuable, regardless
of their respective skill levels.
"If I had to pick a song to symbolize my
brother's life, it would be 'Take it to the
Limit,"' said Michael. "He feasted on the
bounty of life; he lived with passion and
purpose:'
Jeffrey Surnow is survived by his wife,
Elaine; sons, Sam (Lauren Elkus) and Max;
daughter, Lisa; brother, Michael (Sherry);
nieces and nephew, Katie Surnow,
Hannah Surnow and Adam Surnow;
mother-in-law, Blanche Brant; brother-in-
law, Norman Brant. He is also survived by
his nephews and nieces, Scott and Megan
Brant, Ronnie and Lindsey Brant, and
Noah Brant, and a world of friends.
He was the devoted son of the late Jack
Surnow and the late Pearl Surnow; loving
son-in-law of the late Benjamin Brant; the
dear brother-in-law of the late Jacqueline
Brant.
Interment was at Machpelah Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to Wish-A-
Mile Bicycle Tour — Jeff Surnow, 7600
Grand River Ave., Suite 175, Brighton,
MI, 48114, 2015wishamile.kintera.org/
Jeffsurnow; or Temple Israel, Jeffrey
Surnow Memorial Fund (being estab-
lished), 5725 Walnut Lake Road, West
Bloomfield, MI, 48323, www.temple-
israel.org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
Chapel.

❑

Birnkrant; sister, Joan Zolot.
Mrs. Birnkrant was the beloved wife of the
late Sherwin Birnkrant; the dear sister of the
late Robert Levy.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park
Cemetery. Contributions may be made to
Cranbrook Schools, P.O. Box 801, Bloomfield
Hills, MI 48303. Arrangements by Ira
Kaufman Chapel.

BERTHA BRAND, 94, of Southfield and
Lauderhill, Fla., died March 4, 2015.
She is survived by her sons and daughters-
in-law, Ronald and Barbara Brand, Steven
Brand, Gregory and Gina Brand; grandchil-
dren, Erik Brand, Marla and Kevin Hoffman,
Jeffrey Brand, Jessica Brand, Ryan Brand,
and Dayna Brand; great-grandchildren, Evy,
Benny and Jenna Hoffman; brothers and
sisters-in-law, Maynard and Gloria Stone,
Jerry and Zelda Stone.
Mrs. Brand was the beloved wife of the
late Allen R. Brand; the loving grandmother
of the late Jennifer Brand; the dear sister of
the late Bell Rickart, the late Seena Rubin