Jacob Block

PITTSFIELD -- Jacob Block, 87, of 22 South St., Vernon, Conn., died Tuesday evening at Fox Hill Nursing Home in Vernon.

Born in Pittsfield on Dec. 26, 1916, son of Samuel and Rebecca Kalman Block, he was a 1934 graduate of Pittsfield High School. Following high school, he attended Indiana University. He received an associate's degree from Berkshire Community College in 1986.

He had been employed as a production supervisor at GE, retiring in 1978 after more than 40 years of service.

Mr. Block was a member of Knesset Israel Synagogue, where he was a Gabbi and the chairman of the KI Youth Commission. He also served as assistant scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 13. He was an avid Yankee fan and enjoyed daily physical activities, especially walking.

His wife, the former Rita Kalman, whom he married in 1942, died July 27, 1990.

He leaves two daughters, Barbara Klein of Vernon, Conn., and Susan Ruben of Vero Beach, Fla.; a brother, Benjamin Block of Vero Beach, Fla.; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

FUNERAL NOTICE -- Jacob Block, age 87, died Dec. 30, 2003. Mr. Block is survived by his children, Barbara Klein and her husband, Al, of Vernon, Conn., and Susan Ruben and her husband, Fred, of Vero Beach, Fla.; three grandchildren, Elissa Klein Blanchard, Marc Klein and Meredith Ruben, and two great-grandchildren, Scott and Rachel Blanchard. He also leaves his brother, Benjamin Block of Vero Beach, Fla. The funeral will be Thursday at 1 at Knesset Israel Synagogue with Rabbi Harold Salzmann officiating. Burial will follow in Ahavath Sholom Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association in care of the DEVANNY-CONDRON FUNERAL HOME, 40 Maplewood Ave., Pittsfield, MA 01201. The family will receive friends during shiva at the residence of Barbara Klein.