Lowell Adelson died peacefully at age 89 on January 14, 2007. He lived a full life and was passionate about his family.
Lowell was born and raised in Oakland. He graduated from University High and from Cal Berkeley with a B.S. Degree. At age 19, he was elected the national leader (Grand Aleph Gadol) of AZA, a Jewish youth organization. His first job was as an executive with B’nai B’rith in Philadelphia. After serving in the Army overseas during WW II (in the 102nd Infantry Division) and earning a Bronze Star medal, he succeeded in a number of business positions, including owning a coffee vending company in San Francisco named “Coffee Time” and ending as a representative at Portsmouth Financial Services.
In 1941, Lowell married Ruth Moises of Seattle. Their wonderful union lasted over 50 years before Ruth’s untimely death in 1991. Since then, he has been blessed with the loving companionship of Rosalie Anixter.
Lowell spent most of his free time playing golf, usually at Lake Merced Golf Club, where he served as a president. He also closely followed the activities of his many family members, kept in touch with survivors of his Army unit, and supported Cal athletics and alumni events.
He has uniformly been described as a man of extraordinary warmth and integrity, invariably upbeat, proud of his heritage and progeny, and an eloquent speaker.
He is survived by three children and their spouses: Ken (Karen), Patti (Alan) and Mike (Amy); by five grandchildren (Jen (Kevin), Eliot (Julie), Jeremy, Claire and Tillie); and by four great-grandchildren (Rylan, Brinley, Josh and Nate). Lowell’s beloved mother, Tillie, and his close brother, Vic, predeceased him.
The family is grateful for the medical care and comfort provided since Lowell’s heart attack in December 2005 by James A. Davis, M.D., Fiona L. Dulbecco, M.D., Peter Pollat, M.D., and caregivers from Rhoda Goldman Plaza and Seniors at Home. Time and again it appeared that Lowell would succumb to his weakened heart, but he repeatedly pulled through with help from these fine people.
A memorial service was held at Home of Peace Cemetery located at 1299 El Camino Real in Colma. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lowell’s memory may be made to The Lowell Adelson Family Philanthropic Fund c/o Jewish Community Federation, 121 Steuart Street, San Francisco 94105, or to a favorite charity.
Ronald Joelson S.O.D. in Saratoga, CA, Jan. 15, 2007. Beloved husband of Sarah Joelson. Loving father of Ealon (Michal), Efrem (Allison) and Eddy (Hester) Joelson. Devoted grandfather of Karryn, Talia, Ben, Isaac and Elisheva. Loving son of Anne Joelson. Dear brother of Judy Smukler Joelson. A member and Past President of the Cupertino Host Lions Club; Past President of the South Peninsula Hebrew Day School and a supporter of numerous Jewish, civic and pro-Israel organizations. Dr. Joelson was the first optometrist in Cupertino, practicing over 45 years.
Funeral services Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 11:30 a.m. at Congregation Am Echad, 1504 Meridian Ave., San Jose. Interment, Home of Peace Cemetery, San Jose. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cupertino Host Lions Club, Chabad of San Jose. Heartland Hospice or Hadassah.
George J. Karnal Passed away peacefully in Burlingame on January 20, 2007 at age 92. Beloved husband for 59 years and 10 months of Audrey Shapiro Karnal; loving father of Karen and George Kingston and the late Craig Karnal. Devoted grandfather of Kelsey and Joey Kingston. Loving uncle and cousin to many. A special cousin of Wallace Hirsch. George was born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in New Jersey. After he was married in 1947 in SF, he and Audrey moved to Great Neck, NY and then to Stamford, CT where he attended Harvard Business School. They moved back to SF in 1975 after George retired as National Sales Manager and Director of Sales for Philip Morris Co. (Altria). He was a Shriner and a 32nd Degree Mason. George was an l active volunteer and honorary life member of the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter. He was also an active volunteer for the NY Jewish Federation. George was a very special gentleman and he was well respected by those who knew him. Funeral services were held. Contributions in memory of George may be made to the charity of your choice.
Beatrice Smilovitz in Danville on January 19, 2007 at age 78. Wife of the late Max Smilovitz; loving mother of Besi Lateiner and her husband Emanuel, Andrew Smilovitz and his wife Lori. Grandmother of Joshua, Jonathan, Jeremy and Rachel Lateiner and Aaron and Jessica Smilovitz. Sister of Harry Weglin and the late Helen Ginsberg. A first generation Californian, Bea grew up in San Francisco and raised her family in San Lorenzo. Bea was a long time member of Temple Beth Shalom San Leandro serving on the board and leading youth groups. She served as Nursing Department secretary at Cal State Hayward for 13 years and was a volunteer for many years at the Reutlinger Home for Jewish Parents. An ardent participant in country line dancing for seniors at several Contra Costa locations. Bea brought joy to her family and friends and will be deeply missed. Services were held on January 21 under the direction of Sinai Memorial Chapel. Donations in her memory may be made to Reutlinger Home for Jewish Parents or Mazon.
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