OBITUARIES
OF BLESSED MEMORY

W

olf Gruca, 101, died 
Feb. 18, 2021. 
During his life, Wolf 
Gruca proudly carried many titles: 
son, brother, husband, father, 
grandfather and great-grandfather. 
The title he carried the longest, 
however, was that of survivor. 
When Germany 
entered Poland in 1939, 
Wolf Gruca was among 
the many Jews forced 
into the ghetto. A tool 
maker by training, he 
then served for several 
years as forced labor in 
the HASAG plant not 
far from his home in 
Czestochowa. Before 
the war came to an 
end, he labored as well at 
Buchenwald, including its 
subcamp Mittelbau-Dora 
and then Osterode am Harz 
in Germany. 
When the Holocaust 
ended, Wolf spent time at the 
displaced persons camp at Bergen-
Belsen and then at Frankfurt-
Mein, where he met and married 
Regina (nee Waldman) and where 
the couple welcomed their first 
child, Joe. 
Wolf, Regina and Joe immigrat-
ed to New York and then came 
to Detroit. In Detroit, the family 
grew, adding Mary (“Margie”) and 
Susane. 
Wolf eventually took a position 
in tool and die with Chrysler, 
where he worked for 30 years 
until his retirement. Especially 
in the first part of his retirement 
and before Regina’s death in 2000, 
Wolf took gentle care night and 
day of his wife, whose physical 
limitations that resulted from the 
Holocaust turned into full disabil-
ities.
Wolf was a regular part of the 
minyan at Congregation Beth 
Achim and then at Congregation 

Shaarey Zedek, where he joyfully 
made breakfast every Sunday for 
the minyan attendees. Then, after 
the passing of his wife, Wolf found 
much joy in spending time with 
his children, grandchildren and 
great-grandchildren; in shepping 
nachas over their accomplish-
ments; in receiving phone 
calls from those closest 
to him; in dancing with 
friends; and especially in 
sitting together with four 
generations of his family 
each Shabbat morning at 
Shaarey Zedek. He was a 
respected member of the 
Congregation Shaarey fam-
ily, where he found lasting 
friendships and commu-
nity. 
Wolf Gruca was the beloved 
father of Joseph (Sandra) 
Gruca, Mary (James) Starr and 
Susane Yesnick. He was the 
honored grandfather of Jeffrey 
Gruca, Terri Gruca, Rabbi Aaron 
(Rebecca) Starr and David (Dr. 
Brittany Lakin-Starr) Starr; the 
cherished zaydie (great-grandfa-
ther) to Ryan Gruca, Jacob Gruca, 
Caleb Starr, Ayal Starr and Eliana 
Starr.
He was predeceased during the 
Holocaust by his parents, Joseph 
and Meryl, as well as five siblings 
and their respective families. Wolf 
was also predeceased by daughter-
in-law, Shelley Gruca and son-in-
law, Aaron Yesnick.
Contributions may be made to 
Rabbi Aaron Starr Discretionary 
Fund at Congregation Shaarey 
Zedek, 27375 Bell Road, 
Southfield, MI 48034; or 
Holocaust Memorial Center, 28123 
Orchard Lake Road, Farmington 
Hills, MI 48334. A family grave-
side service was held at Clover Hill 
Park Cemetery in Birmingham. 
Arrangements by Hebrew 
Memorial Chapel. 

He Found Joy 
In Family

40 | FEBRUARY 25 • 2021 

Wolf Gruca

continued from page 39

BETTY GOLDBERG, 92, of 
Boca Raton, Fla., and 
Bloomfield Hills, died Feb. 14, 
2021. 
She was born in Bayonne, 
N.J., and raised in Detroit. 
She graduated from Kingswood School 
Cranbrook and attended Goucher College 
and the University of Michigan.
Betty was married to Harry Goldberg Jr. 
for 60 wonderful years. She enjoyed a career 
as an interior designer and art dealer. She 
later developed a passion for the game of 
bridge, achieving Life Master status. 
Betty has shared the last 12 years with her 
devoted companion, Stuart R. Reichart, for-
mer general counsel of the Air Force.
As a cherished matriarch, Betty leaves 
behind a legacy of adoring family. She is 
survived by her children, Terry Axelrod 
(Alan), Nancy Edelstein (Donn Hogan), 
William Goldberg (Virginia); grandchil-
dren, Sara La Mela (Tom), David Axelrod 
(Arianne Traurig), Laurel Walters (Bradley), 
Raleigh Edelstein (Alex Perez), Stephen 
Goldberg (Letty), and Sophia Goldberg; her 
great-granddaughter, Ava Betty La Mela; 
and her loving sister, Dr. Sharon Lynn 
Kagan.
Mrs. Goldberg was the daughter of the 
late Louis and Ruth Goldberg. 
The funeral was held in Seattle, Wash., at 
the Butterworth Funeral Home.

SEYMOUR “SY” GOODMAN, 87, of West 
Bloomfield, died Feb. 14, 2021. 
He is survived by his beloved wife, Ruth 
Brownstein; sons, Henry Takouni, Steve 
Goodman, Robert Goodman; daughter 
and son-in-law, Julie and David Schwartz; 
brother and sister-in-law, Barry and Marilyn 
Goodman; grandchildren, Ashley Takouni, 
Aaron (Krystal) Takouni, Annie Goodman, 
Emma Goodman, Samuel Goodman, Eli 
Goodman and Jack Goodman; sister-in-
law, Jo Goodman; many other loving family 
members and friends. 
Mr. Goodman was the beloved husband 
of the late Sara Lillian Goodman; brother of 
the late Norman Goodman. 
Interment took place at Beth Abraham 
Cemetery in Ferndale. Contributions 
may be made to a charity of one’s choice. 
Arrangement by Dorfman Chapel.

