Obituaries, December 2023 | Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle

Obituaries, December 2023

 

Allegra Cocos 

Allegra Cocos died Oct. 21, 2022, two days before her 90th birthday. 

She was born Oct. 23, 1932, in Alexandria, Egypt to Clara and Shmuel Israel and passed away at sunset. She is preceded in death by her childhood sweetheart and loving husband, Haim Victor Cocos, whom she married January 15, 1950. She was the devoted mother of Maurice Cocos, Frederick (Betsy) Cocos and David (Diane) Cocos. She was the proud Nona of 10 grandchildren: Daniel (Kelly) Cocos, Rachel Haos, Jared Cocos, Leah (Joe) Hurley, Reuven Cocos, Asher (Laura) Cocos, Sarah Cocos, Josh (Bella) Cocos, Zak Cocos and Noah Cocos. Allegra is blessed to have 4 great-grandchildren: Vera Cocos, Leroy Cocos, Violet Cocos and Max Cocos. She is survived by her sisters: Luna Lasko, Sara Yanni, and her brother Jacques Israel. Allegra was the “favorite aunt” to many nieces, nephews and cousins.  

She is the matriarch of the Cocos family, an amazing woman in so many ways. She was a phenomenal cook, recreating all the traditional family recipes. Allegra worked as a seamstress sewing car seats at American Motors for over 20 years and sewing bridal dresses for Schneidermans. When her family was spread across the globe due to forced migration from Egypt, Allegra was the one who tirelessly maintained the family communication and connections through letters, phone calls and check-ins with each other. Her unwavering positive spirit helped set the foundation for many generations of family that continue to stay connected across the world. 

Funeral service held Oct. 24, at Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home. Rabbi Moishe Rapoport officiated. Burial at Mound Zion Cemetery, Brookfield, followed with Rabbi Gil-Ezer Lerer officiating. Memorial contributions to Milwaukee Jewish Federation or Milwaukee Jewish Day School appreciated. 

Dr. Eugene Eisman 

Dr. Eugene “Gene” Eisman died peacefully in his Milwaukee home on Oct. 15, 2022, at the age of 98.  

Gene’s parents emigrated from Ukraine, sailing past the Statue of Liberty and arriving at Ellis Island before settling in a tenement apartment on NYC’s Lower East Side. Gene enjoyed penny treats at the Orchard Street pushcarts and swimming in the East River off Grand Street, and he regularly shared stories of his idyllic summers at camp in the Catskills. He admired his late brother Sydney (Julie) and sister Grace (Vincent) LaGambina, and made lifelong friendships with the late Donnie and late Doris Shaffer, and late Alan and Rose Marie Baron. 

While Gene was in elementary school, the family’s curtain factory thrived so they moved to a house in Brooklyn. After serving in the South Pacific during World War II, Gene attended Brooklyn College, where he began a lifelong commitment to supporting equality. He earned a Ph.D. in Psychology from UCLA, married Jean Ann Eisman (deceased), and moved to Milwaukee. During his long career as a professor of psychology at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Gene led protests against the Vietnam War and fought for labor and civil rights. He was a founder of the faculty union and strong supporter of the Department of Afro-American Studies and other progressive causes. 

Gene had a second career as vice-president and co-owner with his dear friend Jeannette Tries of the Clinic for Neurophysiological Learning, where he patented the Eisman–Tries probe, a device that assisted in biofeedback and enabled hundreds of women to avoid surgery. In his later years, Gene defended abortion clinics and continued to support organizations and politicians promoting social justice and equality. Gene exercised and socialized daily at Milwaukee’s Jewish Community Center, where he had many friends, and was a regular at the Milwaukee Ballet, Symphony, and Repertory Theater. Gene had a close relationship with his daughter Naomi, son-in-law Scott Soldon and their children Emma and Mira Soldon, and Scott’s children Bradley, Heather and the late Ashley Soldon; and with his son Joe Eisman, daughter-in-law Ali Pivar and their daughter Raea Eisman. 

Gene was the loving uncle of Michael (Phyllis), Billy (Suzanne), and Ira Eisman, and Jo Eisman (Ira) Grushack, and Victor (April) LaGambina, and was close to many cousins and other family. Gene also enjoyed Jean’s family and is survived by Frank Delia (widowed by Jean’s beloved sister Mary Alice), nephew Joe, and nieces Betsy and Jessica; and Jean’s brother David Andrews. Gene also maintained many close friendships, including with Bob Schwartz and Margaret Atherton, Margo Anderson, Martha Bergland, the late Larry Barnett, Bill Burns, Tom Roozen, Jerry Dorf, Stephen Leeds and Ellen Zweibel, James Cronin, Carole Shammas, Darryl Holter and many more. 

A private green burial for Jean and Gene was held at Greenwood Cemetery’s prairie. Rabbi Israel Shmotkin officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. A memorial service for them will be held next spring. Memorials to Planned Parenthood or MATC’s FASTFund appreciated. 

Rosilyn G. Koritzinsky 

Rosilyn Galst Koritzinsky, 92, daughter of Harry and Jeanette Galst, passed away peacefully Oct. 21, 2022.  

Rosilyn was much loved by 11 nieces and nephews, 27 great-nieces and nephews, and 18 great-great-nieces and nephews, as well as beloved cousins and friends. 

Rosilyn graduated from North Division High School, and Unuiversity of Wisconsin-Madison. Before starting a family, Rosilyn worked as a Medical Technologist in Manitowoc. Raising three boys, she was a Cub Scout leader, and BBYO advisor. She also was an active member of Anshe Poale Zedek synagogue, Council of Jewish Women, and Hadassah. After Rosilyn and Syndey moved to Milwaukee, Rosilyn became a frequent baker for Congregation Beth Israel. She loved bringing friends and family together by planning several high school and family reunions. She adored and was adored by her grandchildren and delighted in spending time with them. They will miss her stories and cookies. 

She will be dearly missed. She is survived by her beloved husband, Sydney, of 70 years. Loving mother of Arthur (Cynde), Gary (Ann), and Steven (Ianne). Devoted grandmother of Rissa (Zach), Jeryn (Matthew), Erik, Justin, Alanna, and Jeremy (Aline). She is also survived by sister, Marilyn (Robert) Teper, and sister-in-law, Phyllis Galst.  She was predeceased by her brother, Julian Galst, and nephews, Jay Galst, Rick Teper, Aaron Licthman, and Adam Polisky. 

The family would like to thank Patricia, Jana, Sue, and Emma for their compassionate care.  

Private services held. Rabbi Noah Chertkoff officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. 

Memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice. 

Izrail Kogan 

Izrail Kogan died Nov. 6, 2022, at the age of 95. Beloved husband of the late Ida Kogan (nee Somova). Cherished father of Yevgeniya (the late Vadim) Kogan, Lyudmila (Yuriy) Amelyan and Inessa Kogan. Loving grandfather of Nataliya and Arseniy Nenashev, Boris (Julia), Sergey (Julia) and Leo (Juliana) Amelyan, Ilya, Berta and Yevgeniy Korn and dear great-grandfather of 11 great-grandchildren.  Further survived by other loving relatives and dear friends. Graveside funeral service held Nov. 9 at Greenwood Cemetery, Milwaukee. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions made to the charity of your choice appreciated. 

Suzanne H. Pasch 

Suzanne Pasch died on Oct. 22, 2022, due to complications from dementia.  

Suzanne was born in 1943 and welcomed into a loving family by parents Rose and Nathan Pasch. After a time in Gary, Indiana during World War II, her family returned to Milwaukee, where she was surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Suzie, as she was known then, corralled her sister Barby, friends, and family into imaginary adventures, wrote stories and poetry, and dreamed big. As a high-school student, she and her friends led a successful charge to enable young women to wear pants to Whitefish Bay High School. 

She attended college at the universities of Michigan and then Wisconsin, where she transferred after meeting James Wiviott, who would become her first husband in 1964. They had two children, Lori and Stephen, and settled in their hometown of Milwaukee. Suzanne earned a PhD in educational psychology in 1970, one of very few women to do so in that era. She took the Badger Bus to Madison, baby Lori in tow, to finish her degree. 

Suzanne went on to have a distinguished academic career, rising to full professor of Educational Psychology at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. As a working mother in the 1970s she always reminded her children that they could be anything they wanted. She was founding director of UWM’s Centers for Women’s Studies and for Teaching and Learning. There, she met colleague, Michael Waller, who became her beloved second husband. In the 90s, she moved to Princeton, NJ, as dean of the School of Education at the College of New Jersey and later to Boston as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Wheelock College. Her career passions were to improve the lives of young children through education and by supporting the professional development of teachers. She and her dear friend and colleague, Michael Wolfe, wrote The Lifecycle of the Career Teacher, published in 1999. 

She was passionate about learning in all forms – she had an adult bat mitzvah at the age of 70, cheered on by her grandchildren. Suzanne loved to travel, visiting six continents during her lifetime for work and pleasure; she read voraciously. She always managed to make friends, find treasures, and had an amazing stamina for museums. Cuba, South Africa, and Israel were among her favorites. Her grandchildren were her greatest joy of the past 20 years – she played actively with them from Legos to Sorry!, took them to Hibachi, and created cousin time. 

More than anything, Suzanne made connections. A close friend said, “you were only her friend for about 10 minutes, then you were family.” And she truly loved her family. Her parents, Nathan and Rose Pasch, predeceased her as did her husbands. She leaves her sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Jim Hilb, daughter and son-in-law, Lori and Jordan Tishler, son and daughter-in-law Stephen Wiviott and Caroline Fox. Dear in-laws, Sigi and the late Peter Tishler, Gloria and Irving Fox. She was beloved Grammy to Jack, Ellie, Sam, and Lucy; Aunt Suzie, to Carrie Melam and Jennifer Kahn. She leaves many close cousins, colleagues and dear friends. 

In the care of Stanetsky Memorial Chapel. Services were Oct. 25, at Temple Beth Elohim, Wellesley, Massachusetts. Interment immediately followed at Beit Olam East Cemetery, Wayland, Massachusetts. Shiva was observed following services at the home of Stephen Wiviott and Caroline Fox. 

In lieu of flowers, please take a chance on something meaningful to you and consider a donation in Suzanne’s memory to a preschool program that provides a good start to children who need it. 

Michael David Schuman 

Michael David Schuman, 74, Mequon, died Sept. 21, 2022. 

Beloved husband of Sharon Schuman. Dear father of Aimee (Aaron) Carroll, Daniel Schuman, and Mark (Julie) Schuman. Loving grandfather of Jacob, Noah, and Sydney Carroll; Max and Mia Schuman. Son of Vyvyan and Charles Schuman (deceased) and beloved son-in-law of Phyllis and Sol Greenberg (deceased). Brother of the late Denise (James) Hurley. And cherished brother-in-law to Marty (Beverly) Greenberg and Judy (Jeff) Cohen. 
 
He was a loving, compassionate, and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, son, colleague, and friend. He was a respected attorney and terrific community leader, serving as executive director of Spring Hill Cemetery for over 40 years. And was an active member of B’Nai B’rith, Wisconsin Alliance of Cemeteries, and the State Bar of Wisconsin. 
 
He has touched so many lives both directly and indirectly. Together with Sharon for 60 years, they built an incredible, warm, inclusive, and supportive family. 
 
Funeral services held Sept. 25, at Congregation Shalom, 7630 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Fox Point. Burial at Spring Hill Cemetery, Milwaukee. Memorials to Congregation Shalom or a charity of your choice. Shiva was at the North Shore Country Club. Blane Goodman assisted the family.  

James Myers Shellow 

James Myers Shellow died on Oct. 29, 2022, two days before his 96th birthday.  He is survived by his brother, Robert, of Bethesda, Maryland; his daughter, Jill, of New York; his grandson, Aaron Shellow-Lavine, also of New York; nieces Sarah and Leslie; friends and colleagues.  His wife, Gilda, and daughter, Robin, passed before him. 

A disrupter of the universe, Jim managed to die at peace with it. Private services to be followed by a memorial service on an early winter date to be determined.  Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. 

Please donate time, money, or both to the cause of seeking justice for those who have had none, whomever they may be to you, with Jim in mind and heart. 

Malka Volodarskaya 

Malka Volodarskaya (nee Pevzner) died on Oct. 29, 2022 at the age of 98.   

Beloved wife of the late Josef Volodarskiy. Loving mother of Irina Volodarskaya, Mark (Olga) Volodarskiy, Tamara (Mark) Volodarskaya and the late Yuri Volodarskiy. Proud grandmother of Ilya (Natalia), Ina, Michael (Maria), Anna (Teddy), Mayya (Aaron), and Josef; great-grandmother of Benjamin, Katherine and Isabella; and great-great-grandmother of Sofi. 

Graveside service held Nov. 1 at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Cemetery. Rabbi Yaakov Elman officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to the charity of your choice appreciated. 

Shella Zupnik 

Shella Edith Zupnik (nee Blivas) died on Oct. 18, 2022, at age 89.  

Preceded in death by husband, Jerry; son, Mark Zupnik; grandson, Cameron Kranich; parents, Jack and Rae Blivas; sister, Sandy Weinstein, and brother, Don Blivas. Survived by daughters, Debbie (Mickey) Gensler and Cindy (John) Kranich; grandchildren, Justin Zupnik (Mike Thorn), Elliot (Afton) Gensler, Jessica (Brett) Wallace, Jordan Kranich (Payton Berardi); and daughter-in-law, Barb Jansen. 

Shella was a wonderful wife, mom, friend and a tremendously loving grandma. Shella shared a special relationship with each of her grandchildren. She will be greatly missed for her loving kindness, generosity, and thoughtfulness. She loved traveling, cooking, watching sports, crafts, and spending time with her loving husband for over 65 years. 

Shella’s family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the caring assisted living staff at Newcastle Place, and for the care she received while at Horizon Lawlis Hospice. The family is appreciative of the sincere care given by Dr. Avi Bernstein. 

A private funeral service was held on Oct. 20. Rabbi Taylor Poslosky officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.