The Milwaukee native graduated from North Division High School in 1931 and owned Gratch Iron & Metal in Milwaukee. He was a member of B’nai B’rith and a Masonic lodge.
His favorite pastime was golf and, though he didn’t begin playing until he was close to retirement, he won club championships at Ville du Parc Country Club.
He “gave generously to many Jewish charities and, after his retirement, spent countless hours volunteering,” his family said.
He was the first resident to move into the Sarah Chudnow Campus, when the facility opened in 2005. While living there, he set up a library for the residents. “He knew everyone there and they all knew him,” said his daughter Jayne (Larry) Libman of Madison.
“Max always had a positive and forward-looking attitude,” she said. “He did not dwell on the past, but tried to make the present and future better for his family and for everyone he knew.”
“He loved to dance and was a great dancer and always the center of attention on the dance floor,” she said. Last summer, at age 95, he danced with most of the women at his daughter in-law’s wedding.
He was predeceased by his daughter Robin Gratch, who died in 1948 from polio; his son Paul Gratch in 1997; and his wife, Bernice Gratch, nee Elkind, in 1989.
In addition to his daughter, he is survived by daughter-in-law Janice Gratch of Madison.
Blane Goodman Funeral Serivce handled the funeral arrangements. Rabbi Ronald Shapiro officiated. Burial was in Spring Hill Cemetery.
The family would appreciate memorial contributions to Congregation Shalom’s Bernice Gratch Educational Library, 7630 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53217.
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