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Jacob Zeldes Obituary

ZELDES, JACOB D. "JACK" Jacob "Jack" D. Zeldes, husband, father, brother, lawyer, colleague, and friend extraordinaire, died peacefully at his home on September 18, 2013. He was 83 years old. The son of Louis Zeldes and Sophie Koren Zeldes, Jack was born and raised in Galesburg, Illinois. He was always immensely proud of his hometown. At the age of 14, he was hired by the local Galesburg newspaper, where he worked as a reporter throughout his high school years. At the age of 18, he hitchhiked from Galesburg to Philadelphia to attend the historic 1948 Democratic convention, where, using his Galesburg press credentials, he managed to get himself seated behind presidential candidate Harry S.Truman as he gave his Democratic nomination acceptance speech. Jack attended and graduated with academic honors from the "Great State" University of Wisconsin, where he was editor of the Daily Cardinal, the school's newspaper. He was forever proud of being a Badger. During his years at Wisconsin, he met the love of his life, Nancy Stein Zeldes, whom he married in 1953. After hitchhiking throughout Europe for 6 months, they lived briefly in New Haven and Bridgeport before settling in Fairfield, where they raised their three children. Upon graduation from Wisconsin, Jack entered the U.S. Navy and fought in the Korean War, serving aboard the USS Missouri. Jack was proud of his military service and had great respect for those who served in the military. Upon the completion of his military service, Jack followed in his big sister Jodie's footsteps and attended The Yale Law School. While he was a student, he became the head of the Public Defenders Program and began representing Harold Rogers, a convicted felon scheduled to be executed. Jack appealed the case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, and in a 5-4 decision written by Judge Felix Frankfurter, won the appeal, saving Roger's life and setting new standards for forced confessions. Throughout his life, Jack had many ties with Yale Law School. He served on the school's Executive Committee, maintained close relationships with many of the school's faculty, and until his death was Secretary of his class, writing periodic updates about his classmates for the The Yale Law School Journal. He was a great supporter of, and worked closely with, the Arthur Liman Public Interest Program at Yale, which funds fellowships for students working to address inequality and to improve access to justice. Upon graduation from Yale, Jack received a clerkship from Federal Judge Robert Anderson, and then joined the Bridgeport law firm of Goldstein and Peck. Jack practiced law there until 1971, when he became the founding senior partner of Zeldes, Needle and Cooper, where he practiced for 42 years, until his death. During his 57 years of legal practice, Jack practiced law with the highest degree of professionalism, representing, with great skill, his many clients. Considered the "Dean" of the criminal bar, he was a brilliant, meticulously prepared, and skillful practitioner with an unblemished record of personal integrity. He was a beloved figure, admired by his colleagues in the legal profession, his adversaries in the courtroom, and judges in front of whom he practiced. He was a mentor to a great number of lawyers at his firm, many of whom became judges, U.S. Attorneys, and law school teachers. Jack was awarded the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Award, the Connecticut Law Tribune Honors for Service to the Profession, the Federal Practice Center Millennium Award, the Connecticut Bar Association Professionalism Award, and the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association Career Service Award. Jack was a gregarious man who showered his love, humor and compassion on his family and his wide circle of friends. He was hugely interested in the world, in history, in politics, in ideas. He loved to tell stories and to hear in detail about the lives of his family, especially his grandchildren, and those he was close with. Jack is survived by his beloved wife Nancy of 60 years, his children, Stephen Zeldes and his wife Judy Roth, Amy Zeldes and her partner Michael Kesten, Kiki Zeldes and her wife Susan Galereave, his four grandchildren Miko Zeldes-Roth, Tema Zeldes-Roth, Jesse Zeldes, and Jasmine Galereave, and his sister, Joan Zeldes Bernstein. His funeral will take place at Congregation B'nai Israel, 2700 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, Connecticut at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 22, 2013 with interment following at the Congregation B'nai Israel Cemetery, 190 Kings Highway East, Fairfield, Connecticut. Donations in his honor can be made to: The Jacob D. Zeldes Fund at the Yale Law School, P.O. Box 208341, New Haven, CT 06520.

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Published by The New Haven Register from Sep. 20 to Sep. 21, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Jacob Zeldes

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Margaret Tucciarone

September 15, 2022

Still think of you often.

Marge Tucciarone

September 15, 2021

Jack, still miss you after all these years. You were the best employer ever.

Marge Tucciarone

June 11, 2014

Sadly,I just learned of Jack's passing a couple of days ago. I was privileged to have been Jack's secretary from 1963 (at Goldstein & Peck) until 1978 (at Zeldes, Needle & Cooper) when I moved to Florida. Leaving my "boss" was one of the hardest things I ever did because he was the ideal employer -- always happy, smiling,caring and compassionate. It was because of Jack that I gave up chewing gum. He was always chewing gum and drinking iced tea, as was I (only I drank coffee), and between the two of us, I found it difficult to hear well enough to take dictation; and since you can't very well ask your boss to give up gum)... My last contact with Jack was December of 2012 when I emailed him to wish him a happy birthday. Jack, I will always miss you and think of you. Love, Margaret

Jen Montgmery

October 13, 2013

I just heard of Jack's passing. Jack was an amazing mentor and a brilliant attorney. He gave me and several other attorneys an amzing opportunity to learn from someone great. Jurists of his caliber are hard to come by. He will be missed.

David Chipman

October 6, 2013

Jack's death, of which I only learned today, is a great loss not only to his family and friends but to our profession at large. In the 55 years since I finished law school I have not known a lawyer I admired more, not only for his skills, integrity and intellectual curiosity, but also for his love of family and friends and his human decency and unending kindness.

Abigail Becker

September 26, 2013

I have just heard of Jack's death, and as the current editor-in-chief of The Daily Cardinal, I can say that Jack contributed much to the Cardinal's legacy, and I am proud to work for the same institution he did.

Mara Jezior

September 26, 2013

My name is Mara Jezior and I am the managing editor at The Daily Cardinal student newspaper where Jack Zeldes worked during college. I am very sorry to hear about his passing. Just last night I found some of his articles about the football coach in our archives. His work at the Cardinal was inspiring and still talked about among our staff today. I never met him but know that my thoughts are with his family and loved ones.

Alex Knopp

September 24, 2013

I'll always remember Jack as a role model of a lawyer seeking justice and great citizen always seeking democracy and civil rights for all. I'm grateful for his friendship and political support. Thank you, Nancy. Regards, Alex Knopp, attorney and former state legislator and Norwalk Mayor.

Bill Roman

September 24, 2013

Condolences to Nancy and the entire Zeldes family. Jack was a good man.

Martin M Rutchik

September 24, 2013

for advice. To Jack's family: I was close to Jack while at Yale, we were Public Defenders and were strong libertarians. He always had a smile and made one feel as if he cared . I didn't see him often but enjoyed the good feelings. Always took my calls for advice. I liked Jack and was proud to be counted as a friend.

Joe Hutchison

September 24, 2013

Jack inspired us through the easy light and warmth he radiated that brought out the best in everyone. Few among us can hope to sustain that same divine spark. He will be deeply missed.

September 23, 2013

During the short period we knew him, we both became extremely fond of Jack. May his memory be for a blessing. June and Daniel Lapidus

September 23, 2013

I am saddened to hear of Jack's passing
Leonard Albert

September 23, 2013

To his family: I was an associate at ZNC from 1999 to 2003. I was sick all weekend and I apologize I could not attend the services. I am saddened for your loss. I am grateful, however, and honored, to have known him and to have met his qualifications to be employed by his firm. Tony Minchella.

September 22, 2013

Sincere condolences to the family of Jack Zeldes. Jack Zeldes was the personification of decensy. A true gentleman. May he rest in peace. Betsy, and, Rick Rathe.

Louise Katherine Karoli Gallagher

September 22, 2013

Dear Zeldes family,
I worked at Goldstein & Peck, P.C. In the Summer of 1968, going into my Sr. Year of H.S., then went back after graduation. Jack was a brilliant Criminal Attorney that I was in awe of. He was so kind and approachable, even to me, the teenage File Clerk. I went on to become a Bridgeport Police Officer for 20 years, a career I loved. I will always hold Jack Zeldes in the highest esteem. My condolences for your loss. May all your wonderful memories be a source of comfort. Life is Eternal.

arthur balbirer

September 22, 2013

I have never known a better lawyer or a better person. I will never forget him.

Lorry & Marty Goorevich

September 21, 2013

Dear Nancy and family,
Our deepest sympathy to all.
Lorry and Marty Goorevich

Jerry Zeldes

September 21, 2013

Cousin Jack was loved by all who knew him, his smile was contagious and when he spoke to you it was on your level and he was always interested in what you had to say. Jack loved his family and friends. He will always be remembered for playing a Nazi youth in a high school play (this was during WWII). RIP cousin.

September 21, 2013

May the hearer of prayer comfort you, Zeldes Family, in your time of sorrow.
PS 65:2

Sincerely, Dee

David Margolis

September 21, 2013

Jack was a Giant in the Law and a valued friend. My condolences to his family.

Chaya and Wally ROTH

September 21, 2013

Jack Zeldes was bubbly, loving, caring and giving man. Brilliant legal mind, and great great fun to be with! Unforgettable in every way!We well sorely miss him!

Peter Hirschl

September 21, 2013

A kind and gentle man with a big heart and a big brain. RIP

September 20, 2013

Dearest Nancy,--
Jack was a truly special in every way, always with a twinkle in his eye and alive to everything around him. We feel honored to have known him. Our hearts ache for your family in this loss.
We send you love and deepest sympathy.
Helen and Jack Cooper

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