STANLEY TESSEL

TESSEL--Stanley, 86, of Boca Raton, FL, passed away on Monday, December 7th, 2015 at his beloved home in the Catskill Mountains of Sullivan County, NY. He is survived by his two children, Carol and Michael Tessel, their mother, Bonnie Tessel, and his life partner of 23 years, Sharon Kewley. He also has a newborn grandson, Charles. He was entombed in City of Boca Raton Mausoleum on Friday, December 11, 2015 with full military honors by the Air Force Honor Guard. Glick Family Funeral Home of Boca Raton oversaw the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in his memory to The Callicoon Center Volunteer Fire Dept, General Delivery, Callicoon Center, NY 12724. Stanley was born in Brooklyn, NY on November 9, 1929 to Ann Selikoff and Abraham Tessel. Stanley graduated from Brooklyn Law School and was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1952, retiring from the New York State Bar in 2014, 62 years later. He was admitted to argue in front of the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court in October 1952 and the United States Supreme Court in April 1957. Stanley joined the U.S. Air Force as a Judge Advocate and served through the remainder of the Korean War in Pusan. He earned the rank of Major, once state side he was stationed out of Stewart Air Base in Newberg, NY and continued to serve in the reserves until 1972. Throughout his life, he maintained a fierce pride in his military service and his country. Following his service, Stanley entered private law practice in New York City. He established his own firm with Bernard Turkewitz (Turkewitz & Tessel). Stanley later became a named partner at Kramer, Dilloff, Tessel, Duffy & Moore (now Kramer, Dilloff, Livingston & Moore). He specialized in personal injury law, with a focus on obstetrical medical malpractice. Stanley pioneered the successful litigation of medical malpractice suits involving babies born with brain damage due to medical negligence. In partnership with the Law Journal Seminars, a division of American Lawyer Media, Inc. he co-authored several versions of the book Diagnosis and Treatment of Fetal Distress with Stephen H. Mackauf, J.D., of Gair, Gair and Conason, they toured the country giving lectures in the 1990's on the subject. Bernard Nathenson, M.D., also spoke during these popular seminars. Stanley retired from full-time work and moved to South Florida in 1989. He continued to consult for his former firm, flying regularly from Florida to New York to depose witnesses before trial, along with giving the Law Journal Seminars. Notable cases Stanley did the depositions on were: Libby Zion http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/24/AR2006112400985.html. Stanley was a consummate gentleman, treating everyone with respect and dignity. Attorneys were amazed when their doctor clients would get up at the end of a deposition and shake Stanley's hand. It was said around the office that a Stanley Tessel deposition was like money in the bank. He also pursued his passion for travel, exploring all seven continents. He read The New York Times every morning and his Sundays were devoted to the crossword puzzles, the New York Giants and Chinese food. Throughout his life, he fondly collected carved wood art, rare coins and precious ceramics. Stanley will be remembered for his walking at a New York clip, endless generosity and winning smile. He provided all those he loved, particularly his children, with the resources to pursue meaningful educational and personal enrichment. Stanley's mottos on living a fulfilling life: Always have something to look forward to, keep planning and dreaming. And: Don't just live on this earth, go out and make a difference that you were here. Stanley made a difference. He will be sincerely missed.