soul

of blessed memory

A Visionary In His Field

RONELLE GRIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A

lbert “Al” Ascher
was a devoted
husband, father
and grandfather, a
visionary in the field of
vocational rehabilita-
tion services and an
inspiration and role
model to the many
people whose lives he
touched. Al, who lived
in West Bloomfield with Ascher
his wife, Faye, passed
away on Feb. 21, 2018.
He was 88.
Al was born in New York in 1929,
the only child of Bertha and Herman
Ascher. A bright and serious student,
he attended high school at the selec-
tive and prestigious Bronx School
of Science and did his undergradu-
ate studies at Columbia University.
Following a stint in the Army during
the Korean War, where he worked
stateside in human resources and won
several awards in marksmanship, he
returned to Columbia to earn a mas-
ter’s degree in rehabilitation services.
He began his career in Jewish com-
munal work as associate director of the
New Jersey branch of Jewish Vocational
Services and was soon invited to take
the helm of JVS in Detroit, where he
served as executive director for 20
years. Under his outstanding leader-
ship, the agency grew from a small and
financially struggling agency to a major
presence in Metro Detroit. Always
ahead of the curve, Al introduced many
innovations that included services for
senior adults and programs to integrate
people with disabilities into the com-
munity through a variety of vocational
programs. He believed in empowering
people to become self-sustaining and
independent.
“His imprint will long be felt in the
Jewish vocational service and the
Jewish communal service fields,” said
Leah Rosenbaum, current CEO of JVS.
“He helped an underserved population
find their way to professional success
and advocated for those who needed a
voice.”
He imbued his children, Adeena
and Daniel, with his commitment to
strengthening the Jewish community
and repairing the world and empha-
sized the importance of finding mean-
ingful work.
After losing three wives to cancer, Al
reconnected with Faye, whom he had

58

March 1 • 2018

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met years before when she
was a social worker at JVS,
through their mutual affili-
ation with the Institute for
Retired Professionals (IRP).
Married in 2011, the two
enjoyed a loving partner-
ship that included a close
bond between Al and Faye’s
children and grandchil-
dren.
“He was just the kind of
man every woman wants
to marry and every mother wants her
sons to grow up to be,” Faye said. “I
was so fortunate for his love and deep
respect.”
Al had an unflagging interest in
Jewish life and learning that he main-
tained throughout his life. He served
on the board of SOAR (Society of
Active Retirees) and was president of
IRP, where he initiated the speakers
program that remains popular today.
After retiring from JVS, he volunteered
for Oakland Mediation Center, where
his exceptional communication skills
made him a valued and effective medi-
ator.
He was a “news junkie,” who enjoyed
watching CNN and reading numer-
ous newspapers every day, as well as a
perpetual student who loved learning
about anything new and intriguing.
Al always maintained a cheerful
countenance and had the ability to
uplift others with his positive attitude
and grounded optimism. Despite his
sharp mind and vast knowledge, he
was humble and compassionate, will-
ing to listen to others and admit when
he was wrong.
Al is survived by his wife, Faye
Menczer Ascher; children, Adeena
Ascher (Danny Gottlieb) and Daniel
Ascher; grandchildren, and the chil-
dren and grandchildren of Faye.
He was the husband of the late
Peninah Ascher, the late Marjorie Katz
and the late Connie Stoller.
Interment was at Beth El Memorial
Park. Contributions may be directed to
JVS, 29699 Southfield Road, Southfield,
MI 48076, (248) 559-5000, www.jvsdet.
org; Institute for Retired Professionals
(IRP), 6600 W. Maple Road, West
Bloomfield, MI, 48322, (248) 432-5406,
www.jccdet.org/adults/irp; or a char-
ity of one’s choice. Arrangements by
Dorfman Chapel. •

A True Public Servant

urton Leland, 69, of
Detroit, died Feb. 25,
2018.
Born and raised in
Detroit, Burton graduated
from Mumford High School,
earned a business degree at
Wayne State University and
a master’s degree in social
Leland
work at the University of
Michigan.
He entered politics in 1980, first
as a state representative, then a
state senator and finally as a Wayne
County commissioner, always serv-
ing residents of Northwest Detroit.
As a statesman, Burton embodied
what a true public servant should be.
He was dedicated to improving the
quality of life of the citizens for whom
he cared so deeply. He developed a
clean-up program that battled the
blight threatening the neighborhoods
in his district. He provided support
to food banks, community gardens,
neighborhood associations and the
Detroit Police precincts. Burton felt a
deep commitment to the Northwest
community, individual residents and
children returning to school each
fall. His firm belief that higher educa-
tion was necessary to adult success
led to his personal contributions to
and creation of the Burton Leland
Scholarship Fund. Renowned for his
dynamism, charisma and irreverent
nature, Burton was a tireless cam-
paigner who loved knocking on doors

B

to meet his constituents.
Notably, in the early 1980s,
Burton passed a bill in the
House that became known
as the Lemon Law, a con-
sumer advocacy law that
gave car buyers a replace-
ment if a defect was found
that could not be fixed.
Burton Leland will be
missed by the thousands
of constituents and the families
he touched over the years, solving
their problems, sharing their con-
cerns and securing the services they
needed.
Mr. Leland is survived by his
beloved wife of 45 years, Rosanne
(Letvin); loving son and daughter-
in-law, Zachary and Nicole; darling
granddaughter, Lilly; loving son,
Detroit City Councilman Gabriel
Leland; brother and sister-in-law, Joel
and Andrea; mother-in-law, Eileen
Letvin; brother-in-law and sister-in-
law, Joel and Dana Letvin; sister-in
law, Jane Letvin; many nieces and
nephews; many wonderful and loving
friends and colleagues.
Interment was at Adat Shalom
Memorial Park. Contributions may be
made to the Isaac Agree Downtown
Synagogue, 1457 Griswold, Detroit,
MI 48226, www.downtownsynagogue.
org; or Congregation Kehillat Israel,
2014 Forest Road, Lansing, MI 48910,
kehillatisrael.net. Arrangements by Ira
Kaufman Chapel. •

HARVEY
DESON, 84, of
Farmington Hills,
died Feb. 19, 2018.
He is survived
by his beloved wife,
Beverley Deson;
son, Sean Deson;
Deson
daughter, Sarah
Deson; brother,
Ronald Deson;
grandchildren,
Leah Fried, Stephanie and Michael,
Rebecca and Jordan, Julie and
Michael, Katie and Ryan; many
other loving family members and
friends.
Mr. Deson was the brother of the
late Gordon Deson and the late
Marianne Deson.
Interment took place at Clover
Hill Park Cemetery in Birmingham.
Contributions may be made to
Karmanos or to a charity of one’s
choice. Arrangements by Dorfman
Chapel.

ARNOLD DISNER,
81, died Feb. 12,
2018.
He was born
May 29, 1936. Mr.
Disner was the
beloved husband
for 60 years of
Disner
Francine Disner;
cherished father
of Niki Disner and
Erika Allen (Bruce);
devoted grandfather of Makenna
Calvert and Miranda Allen; brother
of Dorothy (Allen) Menuck and Paul
(Patty) Disner. He also leaves behind
many loving nieces and nephews.
He was the son of the late Irving
and Edith Disner.
Services were held at Hebrew
Memorial Chapel, with inter-
ment at Hebrew Memorial Park.
Contributions may be made to a
charity of one’s choice.