Benjamin B. Finkelstein

Benjamin B. Finkelstein, 72, a Ridgefield resident for the past 32 years, died February 23 at Danbury Hospital following a massive stroke.

He was married to Eleanor “Elie” (Singer) Finkelstein for 48 years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Mardi Smith, and her husband, David, of Newtown, and Amy Joyce, and her husband, Edward, of Reston, Va.; a son, Everett Finkelstein and his wife, Tara Demyan, of Providence, R.I.; two sisters, Marion Weinstein of New York and Florida, and Louise Gross, of Long Island, N.Y.; seven grandchildren: Zoe and twins Hannah and Jacob Finkelstein, Kuyra and Brandon Smith, and Sarah and Samantha Joyce; a sister-in-law, Barbara Zucker of New York City; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins survive.

Mr Finkelstein was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., the youngest child of Morris and Ida (Applebaum) Finkelstein. He attended New York Schools, was a US Army Korean War veteran and a graduate of Brooklyn College of Pharmacy.

He had owned the Westfair Pharmacy in Westport from 1960 to 1976. He then was a pharmacist at Wilton Pharmacy and in later years, Rite-Aid Pharmacy, Main Street, Danbury, and most recently the Rite-Aid Pharmacy, Main Street, Bridgeport, until his sudden illness.

He was well known in area theater groups for his expertise and hard work in designing and building of sets, stage managing, and doing anything that was needed. He was currently serving on the board of the Pound Ridge Theatre Company. Previously, he had been a board member at Ridgefield Workshop for the Performing Arts and was the first recipient of is Lifetime Achievement Award.

He belonged to various pharmaceutical associations in the area and was an active participant in Jewish Marriage Encounter along with his wife. He was a member of Temple B’Nai Chaim of Georgetown.

Funeral services will take place on February 25, at 10 am, in Temple B’Nai Chaim, 82 Portland Avenue, Georgetown, with Rabbi Leah Cohen officiating.

Burial will follow in Old Montefiore Cemetery, Springfield Gardens, Queens, N.Y.

The family will be observing Shiva at the Finkelstein residence, 504 Barrack Hill Road, Ridgefield, on Saturday, February 26, after 6 pm, Sunday, February 27, from noon to 4 pm, and Monday, February 28, from 2 to 9 pm, and at the Smith residence, Newtown (364-1788), on Sunday, February 27, after 6 pm.

Friends are asked to kindly omit flowers.

Memorial contributions to the Stroke Center at Danbury Hospital, Danbury Hospital Development Fund, 24 Hospital Avenue, Danbury CT 06810 would be greatly appreciated.

The Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield is in charge of arrangements.

The Newtown Bee      February 25, 2005