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Memorials
Post to TwitterPaula Polatschek Wiesenfeld: May 11, 1944 - June 5, 1972
Bangkok, Thailand
May 11. 2009
Dearest Family and Friends,
This month and the next was always a difficult time of the year for me and my late parents.
My younger sister Paula Carol was born on May 11, 1944. She passed away on June 5, 1972.
Paula would have been sixty-five today. I am sure that it would have been a joyous birthday for her.
Paula was devoted to our parents, Ruth and Otto who were blessed with a slightly rebellious, yet loving and respectful daughter. Paula was admiring and proud of her older brother. Read more »
Jay Gilsen: September 4, 1940 - March 13, 2009
Bangkok, Thailand
Sunday Morning
March 15, 2009
Dear Friends,
I have some very sad news to report.
After several battles, my friend Jay Gilsen passed away in New York on Friday, March 13. Jay is one of my oldest and dearest friends.
Jay was my Anderson Avenue, Highbridge, Bronx, New York neighborhood buddy and my classmate from Kindergarten through Taft High School. As regular "cut -ups," we often met at "the Principal's bench" at PS 73.
Otto S. Polatschek: February 24, 1916 - July 4, 2007
Nang Rong
Buriram
Thailand
July 5, 2007
My Dear Family and My Dear Friends,
My father, Otto S. Polatschek, passed away peacefully at 8:00 o’clock in the morning on July 4. He was 91. He lived in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
Trudy Dessey, his partner and companion for the last nineteen years, reported to me that Otto had a stroke two days before. He was taken to the hospital. Trudy visited him on Wednesday morning and he just fell asleep.
Otto had a difficult time for the past two years. He was loosing his eyesight and since he loved to read he became frustrated and even depressed. Yet he remained active every day and was usually cheerful and talkative. He could still play a hand of bridge. Except for his eyesight, he was always in good health. He finally stopped driving at 90.
Otto suffered no chronic disease. His gait was weak but he refused to use a cane. He never needed a walker or a wheelchair and thankfully, he never spent one day in an assisted living facility or a nursing home.
My father and I spoke frequently. Most recently I called from his cousin’s home in Israel and again about a week ago when I returned from The Middle East.
Otto left strict instructions that there be no funeral or memorial service. Trudy and I will honor his wishes.
At the moment I feel there is no compelling reason for me to return to Miami . I am confident that my father would understand my decision and even encourage me to stay here at home.
I know my father was happy for me and was proud of my recent travels and my writing. Yet he was disappointed that there are no little “Polatscheks.” Well, who can know the future?
Jan
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In Memoriam
July 12, 2007
Several years ago as I was preparing to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of my Bar Mitzvah, I browsed through my Bar Mitzvah photograph album. There is one shot that is particularly dramatic. I am walking between my father and my mother; they are holding my hands, and we are striding triumphantly into the catering hall. My sister Paula; my grandparents, Rosa and Herman Polacek, and Harry Lifson; Aunt Sue and Uncle Harry Taxier, Aunt Beatrice Lifson, Aunt Ida Lifson, Aunt Ida Kiewe; cousins and friends are all assembled and waiting for the Bar Mitzvah bocher to arrive.
And despite the fact that this affair was costing him a small fortune, my father had a broad smile and a proud smile and a quick step. And why not? My father was only thirty-seven at the time. Read more »
ALICE ROSEMARIE DAWN: June 19, 1940 - August 20, 2002
Memorial Service
September 21, 2002
Beaver Country Day School
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Remembrance by Jan Polatschek
I met Alice Dawn in the spring of the year 1966. We were married in October.
Alice and I parted in 1981 yet I do believe that recently, Alice and I were good friends.
I am grateful that I have the opportunity to tell you about some of my recollections.
Alice was then, thirty-six years ago, as she was until last month, energetic, enthusiastic, articulate, and always smiling. She was also determined, thorough, challenging, relentless and please forgive me, stubborn.
Read more »
Ruth Polatschek: May 31, 1912 - May 31, 1999
Ruth Polatschek 1912 - 1999
Menorah Funeral Chapel
Aventura, Florida
June 3, 1999
Jan Polatschek
I am very happy today. I woke up and remembered to say the prayer: “Thank you G-d for restoring my soul this morning.” Thank you for another sunny day in beautiful South Florida.
I was dressing and began singing my mother’s songs: “What Good is Life without Love,” “I’m A New Woman,” and my favorite, “Come on Down to Aventura Town.”
My name is Jan Polatschek. I am Ruth Polatschek’s son. My purpose in speaking to you this morning is to remind us all of my mother’s contributions and accomplishments and to give those of you who did not know Ruth a sense of this creative and caring woman.
