obituaries

Stan, The Deli Man

Amazing Grace

Ronelle Grier

She was a loyal and giving friend, a
voracious reader and a renowned cook,
most famous for her inimitable lemon
uring her 101 years, Grace
bars, strudel and brisket.
Naftaly, March 25, 1913-March
When Grace celebrated her 100th
birthday on March 25, 2013, family mem-
3, 2015, was a loving wife, a
proud mother, grandmother and great-
bers came from across the country to a
grandmother, an active community vol-
party in honor of their favorite centenar-
unteer, an avid sports fan, a loyal friend
ian. She also received a special honor that
and a matchless cook.
year in the annual Oak Park Fourth of
Grace was born in Hungary and
July parade.
Her granddaughter Susan Katz, who
brought to the United States as an infant
by her parents, Mary and Emil Kahan.
spoke at the funeral service officiated by
Rabbi A. Irving Schnipper,
She lived in Akron, Ohio,
before coming to Detroit. She
remembers her grandmother
graduated Northern High
as a "strong, smart, quick-
School in 1931, where she was
witted, independent, graceful
woman with lots of spunk and
popular and active in student
fight:'
life, serving as president of
the House Council as well as
Grace was a fighter, accord-
the Student Council, Viking
ing to son Jerry. When she
yearbook, Scribe Club and
suffered a stroke last year
other school groups.
that required her to move to
Her yearbook picture bore
a nursing center, she contin-
the notation "A dear, sweet
ued to enjoy playing bingo,
Grace Naf taly
girl is she. A truer friend
watching television and taking
there couldn't be." This legacy
special rides in a wheelchair-
is attested to by the many
accessible van with Jerry
friends she held dear through-
"down memory lane" to some
out her life.
of her favorite places. Despite a broken
Grace was happily married to her
leg, surgery and a bout with the flu at
beloved husband, Bill, for more than
age 101, she never gave up, maintaining
40 years, until his death in 1978, and
her wit, her unfailing manners, her sense
together they created a loving home filled
of humor and kindness and concern for
with family, Jewish tradition and Grace's
others.
wonderful cooking.
"She touched people's lives with beauty
Family was foremost in her life; she
and simplicity," said Rabbi Schnipper,
took great pride in her three children, and a close family friend for more than 50
later, in her four grandchildren and six
years.
great-grandchildren. When her son, Jerry,
Grace is survived by her children,
was elected mayor of Oak Park, Grace
Robert "Bob" (Anita) Naftaly, Janice (Dr.
proudly enjoyed her status as the "First
Ray) Katz, and Gerald "Jerry" Naftaly;
Mother."
grandchildren, Lisa (Howard) Brown,
She worked at Congregation Beth
Beth Kirshner, Steven (Jami) Katz, and
Moses and its post-merger incarna-
Susan Katz; great-grandchildren, Sam
tion Beth Abraham Hillel Moses and at
Katz, Zack Kirshner, Emily Brown, Benny
Congregation Beth Shalom. She was an
Kirshner, and twins Jacob and David
active and honored volunteer who used
Katz; nephew, Marc (Theresa) Kahan;
her impressive crocheting skills to create
nieces, Cyndi Geller and Michelle (Jim)
afghans and blankets for veterans. Grace
Geller.
donated yarn to the Oak Park Community
Grace was married to the late William
Center so others could join in her chari-
"Bill" Naftaly and was the sister of the late
table efforts. She also enjoyed knitting
Jack (Velma) Kahan and sister-in-law of
sweaters, baby clothes and crocheting
the late Evelyn and Sam Geller.
angels for her many friends.
Interment was at Beth Moses Cemetery.
Always full of life, she enjoyed bingo,
Contributions may be made to Jewish
watching golf, going to Greektown Casino, National Fund, Naftaly Parkland, #353-
trying her hand at the slot machines and
689, 42 E. 69th St., New York, NY, 10021;
playing the lottery. She was an avid fan of
Yad Ezra, 2850 W 11 Mile Road, Berkley,
the Detroit sports teams; a hockey puck
MI, 48072; cards of condolence may be
signed by Red Wings' captain Henrik
sent to Jerry Naftaly, 23621 Kenosha,
Zetterberg was among her prized posses-
Oak Park, MI 48237. Arrangements by
sions.
Hebrew Memorial Chapel.

Contributing Writer

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62

March 12 • 2015

JN

Obituaries

I

Judy Greenwald
Special to the Jewish News

Hard work was something his par-
ents instilled in him; and during his
high school years, he got a job in
tan Snitz spent his career in
the produce department at Farmer
the deli business, working at
Jack, and was eventually promoted to
the Stage Delis in Oak Park
department manager.
and West Bloomfield, Steve's Deli in
Stan took courses at both Oakland
Bloomfield Township and the Star Deli
Community College and Wayne State
in Southfield.
University, concentrating on history, a
"Most people knew my father as Stan subject he loved. He pursued a teach-
the Deli Man — a warm, welcoming
ing degree, but took a different path
into the food business, managing Jakk's
guy with an infectious smile who had
a rugalach or pickle waiting for you
Bar in Oak Park, owned by his father-
in-law.
as you entered the deli," said daughter
Hilary Golden.
Stan later went to work at Scotch
'n' Sirloin in Detroit and in the 1980s
"He was so devoted to his customers
and built such loving rela-
became an owner of the
tionships with all of them."
Stage Deli in Oak Park;
Stanley Snitz, 64, of West
he moved from there to
Bloomfield, died March 4,
work at the Stage in West
2015.
Bloomfield. Afterward, he
"He lived and breathed the
became a customer favorite
business because he loved
at Steve's Deli for 20 years.
people so much," said Rabbi
Family members reflect-
Aaron Bergman of Adat
ed on his great love for his
Shalom Synagogue, who
granddaughters, for whom
spoke at the funeral.
he always purchased unique
"He wanted his customers Stan Snitz
toys. He also loved animals
to be happy. He would come
and music and continued
in early in the morning to
his love of sports by playing
make the trays, even though
softball. He was a collector
he didn't have to, just so it would be
of menus, showcasing his fondness for
done right and his customers would be food.
happy."
Stan Snitz is survived by his son
Rabbi Daniel Syme of Temple Beth
and daughter-in-law, Neal and Ashley
El also spoke at the funeral.
Snitz; daughter and son-in-law, Hilary
"I knew Stan for over 15 years," he
and Seth Golden; granddaughters,
said. "I watched him oversee the din-
Gabriella and Giuliana Golden. He was
ing room at Steve's Deli with a gentle
the beloved longtime companion of
manner that commanded the respect
Susie Boraks. He was the dear brother
and admiration of countless men and
of Flora (Harold) Cherney and Roz
women.
(Aaron) Stern. He is also survived by
"He knew their names. He knew
his former wife and mother of his chil-
their families. He embraced them with
dren, Barbara Snitz, and by many lov-
affection."
ing nieces and nephews.
A year ago, however, Stan became ill
Interment was at Machpelah
with an untreatable cancer.
Cemetery in Ferndale. Contributions
"This community rallied around him may be made to Hospice of Michigan,
with the love and support I have never
400 Mack, Detroit MI 48201, (313)
seen," said Rabbi Syme. "He never gave 578-5000, www.hom.org ; Jewish
up.
Family Service, 6555 W. Maple, West
Son Neal said, "He was such a great
Bloomfield MI 48322, (248) 592-2300,
father. He taught me that all you can
www.ffsdetroit. org ; Karmanos Cancer
do is to do your best at work and do
Institute, 4100 John R, Development-
the best for your family and honor the
NCO6DS; Development Office,
people who love and respect you.
Detroit MI 48201, (800) 527-6266,
"Everywhere I went, everybody
www.karmanos.org ; or Food Allergy
respected him."
Center-University of Michigan, 1000
The youngest of three children, Stan
Oakbrook Drive, Suite 100, Ann Arbor,
was born in Detroit to Norman and
MI, 48104-6815, (734) 763-5134.
Sarah Snitz. He attended elementary
Arrangements were by Ira Kaufman
and middle school there, and gradu-
Chapel.
ated from Southfield High.

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