Joseph M. Goloff

Goloff, Joseph, M.
Joseph Marshall Goloff, age 94, of Bridgeport, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 24th, with his family at his side. He was born in Bridgeport, a son of the late Zelig and Elizabeth Cetlin Goloff, and lived locally most of his life. He graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and then volunteered with the Army during World War II, serving as a finance officer in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he completed coursework toward his doctorate at the New York University School of Retailing and Graduate School of Business when he was called in to help operate the family business, Spector's Jewelers. He eventually became president of Spector's, opening several additional stores, and was active in leading business organizations, including Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce (v. president) and Connecticut Retail Jewelers Association (president). Among the business accomplishments he was particularly proud of was serving for many years on the board of trustees of Peoples Bank. More important to him than his success as a businessman was his deep commitment to helping better the world through his active involvement in many civic and Jewish organizations, among them: United Jewish Council (president), United Jewish Appeal (chairman), American Jewish Committee (national executive council), United Way of Fairfield County (board), Bridgeport Interfaith Group, Action for Bridgeport Community Development, Poverty Program (board), Congregation B'nai Israel (president), University of Bridgeport (trustee), Bridgeport Jewish Family Services (board), Park City Hospital (board v. president), Boy Scouts of Bridgeport. After retirement he could not stay still, and involved himself in such pursuits as SCORE (mentoring new businesses), the AAA Driving Course for Seniors, and his very last and perhaps favorite volunteer activity, reading to first graders at Maplewood School! He is survived by his children: Carol Goloff of Portland, Maine, and Marc Goloff and his wife, Susan Feiner, of New York, NY; two grandchildren, Sophie and Benjamin Goloff; nieces Laurie Schecter of Hollywood, FL, Julie Schecter and her husband Will Hapgood of Bolton, MA; and nephew, Jon Nowitz and his wife Marie of Monroe. Finally, we celebrate his marriage of 57 years to Dorothy Spector Goloff who died in 2001, forever the one love of his life. He passed away as he lived his live, with his dignity, sense of humor, and love for his family intact. Services will take place on Friday, December 27, 2013 at 12:00 noon at Congregation B'nai Israel, 2710 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, with interment following at the B'nai Israel Cemetery on Kings Highway in Fairfield. Memorial contributions may be made to The Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition, 2470 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605, or UJA/Federation of Eastern Fairfield County, 431 Post Road East, Suite 17, Westport, CT 06880.