Obituary: Seymour “Sy” Sundick

Seymour “Sy” Sundick

Sy Sundick, a resident of Great Neck for over 30 years, died on March 25, 2009 from acute myloid leukemia. He was 87 years old. He was best known as the legendary girl’s head counselor of Tyler Hill Camp from 1960 to 1990. He was also a highly regarded educator with the NYC Board of Education.

Seymour Howard Sundick, born and raised in Brooklyn, oldest of three, was an honor student and an athlete who played for the University of Albany’s varsity baseball team. When WWII broke out he was drafted into the Army at age 20. He became an officer in the 8th Air Force in the Quartermaster Corps. As a neutral leader, he would become the commanding officer of a 35-truck motor pool. His uncanny sense of direction served him well, as England removed all of her road signs, to prevent the Nazis from finding their way around, if they invaded. His battalion went from one secret munitions dump to another, delivering bombs to secret airfields, where warplanes would go on bombing runs against Germany. The continued success of his missions all over England won him several citations of merit. Eventually, he served in a similar capacity in France, where he also served as a translator, because he was a French scholar, and finally, saving the worst for last, he witnessed the horrors of the Holocaust, when he participated in the liberation of the infamous concentration camp at Buchenwald. He was also involved in the ceremonies where German officers surrendered their weapons to him and other commanding officers.

Obituary: Richard Weinmann

Richard Weinmann

Richard Weinmann, 91, of Great Neck, died on Oct. 10, 2009, just shy of his 92nd birthday. He was predeceased by his wife Bert and survived by his wife Ginger Rich; daughter Harriet; son-in-law Steve Slive; and granddaughters, Lauren and Casey Slive; daughter Elaine; son-in-law Peter Lorekas; and granddaughters, Alicia and Simona Lorekas.

Obituary: Norman Dolid

Norman Dolid

Norman “Dick” Dolid, former Great Neck resident for nearly 50 years, worked for peace and died in peace among loved ones at the Quadrangle, his home in Haverford, PA, on Oct. 25, 2009.

Dick and beloved wife Marcelle were vibrant members of the Great Neck community. Their lifelong activism to promote social justice and world peace was highlighted in several Great Neck Record articles over the years. Recently, Dick’s photo appeared in a Philadelphia newspaper as a senior activist in weekly vigils protesting the war in Iraq. After Dick and Marcelle moved to the Quadrangle in 2000, Dick built a new community of supportive friends who shared his vitality and many interests.

In addition to a busy career in financial management, Dick and Marcelle were lifelong learners who participated in many community arts and cultural activities. They devoted themselves to helping raise their grandchildren, Jonathan and Daniel Fichter and Anne and Thomas Howard Dolid. Dick’s children and spouses, Margaret and Andrew Fichter and Peter and Jill Dolid, treasure Dick and Marcelle for embracing the family in a perfect circle of love and delight.

Obituary: Milton L. Mathews

Milton L. Mathews

Milton L. Mathews, 91, of Mt. Airy, formerly of Great Neck, died on Oct. 25, 2009. He was the widower of the late Gloria O’Neill Mathews who died in 1998. Born May 7, 1918 in New York, he was the son of the late William and Germane Longhurst Mathews.

Mr. Mathews served his country in the United States Army Air Corps during WWII. He was a member of the first graduating class of Queens College of Queens, NY. During his working career, Mr. Mathews was a primary school teacher for over 35 years at the Lakeville Elementary School in Long Island. He, along with his late wife, moved to Maryland in 1998. They were former members of Saint John the Evangelist RC Church and currently Mr. Mathews was a member of Saint Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church of Urbana.

Obituary: Richard Weinmann

Richard Weinmann

Richard Weinmann, 91, of Great Neck, died on Oct. 10, 2009, just shy of his 92nd birthday. He was predeceased by his wife Bert and survived by his wife Ginger Rich; daughter Harriet; son-in-law Steve Slive; and granddaughters, Lauren and Casey Slive; daughter Elaine; son-in-law Peter Loreks; and granddaughters, Alicia and Simona Lourekas.

A WWII veteran, he enjoyed a long career as a respected labor attorney, mediator and guest lecturer. An advocate for peace, human rights and equality, he was a founding member of the Great Neck Committee for Human Rights and of an organization which promoted an ethical code for employers of domestic workers. He enjoyed politics, travel and sharing time with his family. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and friend to all.

A memorial service will be held Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. at Temple Emanuel, 150 Hicks Lane, Great Neck, officiated by Rabbi Widom. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to MedPLUSconnect.org.

Obituary: Donald E. Axinn

Donald E. Axinn

Donald Everett Axinn, a resident of Sands Point, died on Tuesday, Oct. 13 following a brave battle with cancer. He was 80 years old.

Mr. Axinn spent 50 years as a developer, writer, philanthropist and filmmaker. His parents emigrated from Russia during the Pogroms. A first-generation American, he built the Axinn name into one of the most respected with regard to building and investing in the New York metropolitan area. He designed and developed several million square feet of award-winning buildings and office parks before merging in 1999 with Brandywine Realty Trust, a NYSE company. He sat on their board of trustees for many years.

Mr. Axinn authored twelve volumes of poetry as well as several articles, and his essays were published in The New York Times and Newsday, among others. He wrote three novels, Allan, Burning, Spin and The Ego Makers. Mr. Axinn’s first novel, Spin, was produced as a full-length feature film. James Redford wrote the screenplay and directed, and Mr. Axinn served as producer. Redford has completed a screenplay based on Allan, Burning, which is currently being presented to production companies and financiers. He will direct this film as well.

Obituary: Nathan Altman

Nathan Altman

Nathan Altman, 90, of Great Neck, died on Oct. 10, 2009. He worked at Albinder, Altman and Block. Son of the late Samuel and Anna Altman. Husband of the late Helene. Father of Susan Altman Feit (Victor) and Wendy Altman Rada (Zion). Grandfather of Ari Rada, Jonathan Rada and Rebecca Feit. Brother of the late Betty Chapkin. Services held at Riverside-Nassau North Chapels, Great Neck. Interment New Montefiore Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Obituary: Laurence Lyons

Laurence Lyons

Laurence Lyons, 98, of Great Neck died on Oct. 8, 2009. He was employed by Allen & Co. Investment Banking, New York City. He was a longtime member of Temple Beth El of Great Neck. Son of the late Joseph and Bessie Lyons. Husband of the late Gertrude. Father of Jon Lyons of Katonah, NY. Father-in-law of Amy Lyons. Arrangements were made by Riverside-Nassau North Chapels, Great Neck. Services held on Oct. 9 with Rabbi Tara Feldman officiating. Interment Beth Moses Cemetery, Pinelawn.

Obituary: Malcolm F. Nielson

Malcolm F. Nielson

Malcolm F. Nielson, 96, of Port Washington, died on Oct. 7, 2009. For more than 75 years he was a volunteer in the Great Neck Alert’s Fire Department, serving at various times as chief and member of the Alert Benevolent Association. He was also a member of The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York and Southern New York Volunteer Firemen’s Association. Father of Janet Capra, Malcolm S. Nielson, Katherine Grace and Patricia Nielson. Grandfather of 11. Great-grandfather of 10. He was reposed at the Alert Fire Department. Arrangements were entrusted to the Fairchild Funeral Home, Manhasset. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Aloysius RC Church. Interment Flushing Cemetery.

Obituary: (Evelyn) Lois Staat

(Evelyn) Lois Staat

(Evelyn) Lois Staat, 93, died on Sept. 30, 2009 in Sarasota, FL. She was born Jan. 23, 1916 in New Brunswick, NJ, and was a graduate of Ithaca College and New York University. She taught physical education and modern dance in Oswego, NY, Wappingers Falls, NY and Great Neck, retiring in 1971 as head of the Girls Physical Education Department at Great Neck South Senior High School.

After moving to Sarasota in 1973, she was an active volunteer for many years at Girls, Inc., and was a member of the Sarasota Garden Club, creating many of the designs and signs for the annual flower shows. An avid golfer, Lois chaired the scoreboard committee during the years of the LPGA Bent Tree Classic.

She is survived by her niece, Marjorie (Douglas) Deline of Midland, MI; a grand-nephew Christopher (Hollie) Deline of Denver; and a grand- niece Andrea Deline of Chicago.

Cremation has taken place and interment will be in the Elmwood Cemetery in New Brunswick, NJ. Weigand Brothers Funeral Home, Sarasota was in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to Girls, Inc. of Sarasota, the Sarasota Garden Club or Tidewell Hospice.