soul of blessed memory Caring For Seniors And Th e Needy ESTHER ALLWEISS INGBER CONTRIBUTING WRITER E xpressions of appreciation contin- ue to pour in for the late Alvin A. Weisberg, a notable philanthropist and businessman who was devoted to his family. Mr. Weisberg, 90, of Bloomfield Hills, died on July 8, 2017. He was a founding partner of the Chatham Supermarket chain in south- east Michigan; then, for 19 years, begin- ning at age 65, he was the controlling shareholder of Pet Supplies Plus stores in four states. Often in tandem with his wife, Henrietta, he uplifted lives with generosity on both a small and large scale. Their legacies include a World War II-era German box car displayed at the Holocaust Memorial Center (HMC) in Farmington Hills. “God made him successful in business so he could care for others,” said Rabbi Aaron Starr, eulogizing Mr. Weisberg, his congregant and friend. The funeral service was held July 10 at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield. Mr. Weisberg was born in 1926, the fourth child of Russian immigrants Clara (Brown) and Peter Weisberg. After their wedding in Pittsburgh, the Weisbergs moved to Mt. Clemens to utilize the city’s therapeutic mineral baths for Clara. The children, however, were all born in Pittsburgh: Bernard, Selma, Harvey, Alvin and Harold. A 1945 graduate of Central High School, Mr. Weisberg was “a grocery guy from the earliest of ages,” Starr said, cut- ting meat and attending to the needs of his father’s White Hill Meat Market on Alvin Weisberg Vernor Highway and Lawndale in Detroit. In 1947, the Weisbergs pooled their money and bought Chatham Village Supermarket. “In the go-go years, they worked up to 70 hours a week to build that business,” said Alvin’s son, Steven Weisberg. Alvin Weisberg was Chatham’s vice president of store construction and property management. When the family sold the chain in 1985, they owned 50 supermarkets and seven health and beauty aid stores. Chatham was a friendly place to work. Details of next month’s annual reunion are on the alumni Facebook page. On a personal level, Mr. Weisberg enjoyed a 63-year marriage to the former Henrietta Gastfrjnd, who often called him “Mr. Wonderful.” They were atten- dants in the same wedding party and married after a five-month engagement. “They made each other laugh, no matter how difficult the situation,” Starr said. “A Yiddish quip here, a touch of sar- casm there.” Steven noted in his eulogy, “His love for her was unshakeable and visible to see.” Mr. Weisberg relished being a father. Steven learned about business from him; they joked and shmoozed. They took long drives together. Julie (Weisberg) Schlafer said her dad taught her about plumbing and using a knife to butcher meat. Lori Weisberg and Steven Schlafer became two more children, not just in-laws, when they married Steven and Julie. The Weisbergs treasured their grandchildren and one great-grandson. When grandson Brad read from the Torah at his bar mitzvah, Starr said, “It meant the world to Alvin when a learned man complimented Brad on his trope.” Speaking about his father, Steven Weisberg called him “a natural-born leader and teacher” and said, “I never met anyone with a greater capacity to forgive than Alvin Weisberg. “My father loved people around him and people loved him back,” Steven said. “When their luck was down, he helped with loans, gifts and pep talks.” Mr. Weisberg believed Jews should take care of their own. Among many worthwhile causes, he and Henrietta generously contributed to the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network. He took satisfaction that several ambu- lances purchased for Mogen David Adom — one as recently as last fall — are helping countless Israelis. The Henrietta and Alvin Weisberg Gallery at the HMC, open since 2011, is dedicated to the memory of Henrietta’s family killed in the Holocaust. The box car on display is of great significance as a reminder of the Shoah. “The Weisberg Gallery impacts each visitor as they enter the museum,” said Cheryl Guyer, director of development. Mr. Weisberg grew up at Shaarey Zedek, joining officially with Henrietta in 1953. Their children received strong Jewish educations. Starr announced that “by the High Holidays, the brand-new Refi ned Resale 32906 Middlebelt Rd (at 14 Mile) Please see our menu at www.johnnypomodoros.com (248) 855- 0007 Johnny Pomodoro’s is your ONE STOP SHOP for all of your needs! Shiva Trays, Deli Nosh Dairy and Deli Trays, Marty’s Cookie Trays, Johnny’s Signature Fruit & Veggie Trays Delivery Available CALL JOHNNY’S FOR TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL SHIVA TRAYS. “Where Women Dress Beautifully for Less” 32923 Woodward Ave one Block North of 14 Mile Rd Royal Oak, Michigan 48073 248-549-7000 HOURS: Mon – Sat 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. We Buy, Sell and Consign Gently Used and New Designer Clothing, Furs, Jewelry and Accessories DAIRY TRAY 46 MEAT TRAY July 20 • 2017 FRUIT TRAY jn MEDITERRANEAN TRAY MARTY'S COOKIES Special Sales Daily We are a DROP-OFF DEPOT for Charities A contribution will be made to your favorite JEWISH Charity PICK UP IS AVAILABLE 2184200