Obituary: Benjamin Wertheimer
A native New Yorker and Army veteran of World War II, he moved to Atlanta to be close to family.
Benjamin Wertheimer, formerly of Jericho, N.Y., passed away peacefully in his sleep Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, two weeks shy of his 96th birthday.
Born in the Bronx, N.Y., he attended DeWitt Clinton High School in New York City. As part of the GI Bill, he attended Purdue University and Texas A&M University, studying engineering and accounting. He moved to Atlanta nine years ago to be closer to his children and grandchildren and created lifelong memories that will carry on from generation to generation.
He was the head purchasing agent for a major New York mechanical contracting firm, Raisler Corp., for most of his career before joining H. Sand & Co. and then developer Olympia & York, where he worked on Battery Park City in New York. He was a founding member of the Jericho Jewish Center on Long Island, where he and his wife, Claire, of blessed memory (March 19, 1931-Jan. 18, 1994), raised their two children, Mindy Renee Wertheimer and Howard Seth Wertheimer.
Ben was a great athlete. He excelled at basketball, softball, and, later in life, golf and swimming. An avid sports fan, he was particularly fond of the New York Yankees, New York Giants and New York Knicks. To ensure he would never miss a pitch, hit, shot or pass, he would often be seen watching multiple ball games on multiple TVs.
As an Army veteran of World War II, he only recently began to share stories of his time as a soldier fighting on enemy lines in France and Germany.
He was a morally good person and always possessed the important virtues of honor, kindness, loyalty and courage. He was brave, wise and fair. Brave, because he would get up every morning and wanted to be the best person he could be, no matter the physical pain, moving forward with dignity and perseverance, setting a good example for his children and grandchildren. Wise, because he kept up with current events and reminded us how his past was part of who he was. Fair, because he was honest, knew right from wrong and had high standards for humankind.
Ben loved spending holidays with his family, particularly his five grandchildren. They enjoyed listening to him as he imparted his wisdom and advice. He was excited to become a great-grandfather in just a few months and to know the Wertheimer lineage would continue to another generation.
Passing away during the Jewish holiday of Chanukah gave him the opportunity to bring family and friends together one last time.
Benjamin was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Claire Milefsky Wertheimer, and later by his partner, Adelia Mann. He is survived by his daughter, Dr. Mindy Wertheimer (Ira Katz); his son, Howard Wertheimer (Carla); five loving grandchildren, Jessica Katz Yonatan (Avi), Leanna Katz, Marissa Wertheimer, Alexandra Wertheimer and Cody Wertheimer; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
If so inclined, please make a donation to the charity of your choice. Sign the online guestbook at dresslerjewishfunerals.com. A graveside service was held Sunday, Dec. 17, at New Montefiore Cemetery in New York. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.
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