Biography
WORCESTER - Leon Lonstein, 90, of Worcester, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 21, 2015, at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. Born and raised in Worcester, Leon was the son of Jacob and Dora (Hack) Lonstein, and lived most his life in Worcester and several years in Florida before returning to Worcester in 2012.
He leaves two daughters, Jacalyn Reinberg and her husband, Ralf of Ventnor, NJ and Claire Meakins and her husband, Terry of Mindarie Keys, Australia ; two sons, Keith Lonstein of Worcester and Bill Lonstein and his wife, Sheila of Madbury, New Hampshire; five stepsons, Mark, Dennis, Peter, Gregory and Robert Sahagen a sister , Cynthia Saffer of West Hartford, Connecticut; 11 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Blanche Lonstein of Westborough; nephews, nieces and cousins. His wife, Mary Sahagen Lonstein died in 2011. Besides his parents Leon is predeceased by his former wife, Lorraine (Ascher) Lonstein; two sisters, Marjorie Bell and Anna Baker and two brothers, Sidney and Alfred Lonstein.
Leon attended Worcester schools and graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in business. He enlisted in the U.S Army Air Corps in 1943 and honorably served his country for three years during World War II. Leon's career in the textile industry spanned over 30 years and owned and operated Photolon Corp. in Worcester.
As a humanitarian, Leon was the founder and president of the New England Albanian Relief Organization, Inc. He was a longtime member of Congregation Beth Israel and Irving Yarock Post 32, of the Jewish War Veterans.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the staff at the Jewish Healthcare Center for their care and compassion they provided over the last several years.
FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT 10:30 AM ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22ND , AT CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL, 15 JAMESBURY DRIVE, WORCESTER UNDER THE DIRECTION OF RICHARD PERLMAN OF MILES FUNERAL HOME OF HOLDEN. Burial will be in B'nai Brith Cemetery in Worcester.
Memorial Observance will be held through 6 PM this evening (Thursday, October 22) at the residence of Keith Lonstein, 33 Zenith Dr., Worcester. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be to the Jewish Healthcare Center, 629 Salisbury St., Worcester, MA 01609, or Congregation Beth Israel, 15 Jamesbury Dr., Worcester, MA 01609.
"Family Owned"
Funeral Service
Thursday
October 22, 2015
,
10:30AM
at
Beth Israel Synagogue
Click for Map and Directions
Interment
Thursday
October 22, 2015
,
12:00PM
at
B'Nai Brith Cemetery
Click for Map and Directions