David L. Birnbaum

Our holiday lovelight flickered to dark with the passing of our beloved patriarch. David L. Birnbaum, 88, husband of Fayna (Schwartz) Birnbaum and lifetime resident of New Britain, slipped his mortal chains at home Saturday morning, Dec. 23. David was son of the late Nathan and Dora Birnbaum and brother of the late Milton Birnbaum, Leslie Birnbaum, Robert Birnbaum and Gloria (Birnbaum) Rosenbush. Besides his wife, David leaves his daughter Lisa (Birnbaum) Lipshez and her husband Ken of Unionville, and his son Dr. Neil Birnbaum and his wife Dr. Ruth Barnert of Sharon, Mass. He is also survived by brother Sidney and his partner Tony Pontecorvo of Fairfield, and his five grandchildren: Jason Groob and his wife Kate of New York City, Jason Lipshez of New Britain, Andrea Birnbaum, Aaron Birnbaum and Ricky Birnbaum. David owned and operated the Lincoln Smoke Shop in New Britain for 42 years. He graduated from New Britain High School in 1947 and enlisted in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during the Korean War. He had a passion for golf and spent many happy hours at Stanley Golf Course in New Britain. He joined a very select list on July 14, 2006, when he aced the eighth hole. Fayna wishes to thank the Visiting Angels, Hartford HealthCare at Home-Hospice Care and Jason Lipshez and his girl-friend Brittany Diorio for their compassion and attentiveness during their time of need. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, Dec. 26 at 11 a.m., Beth Alom Cemetery, 48 Allen St., New Britain. A luncheon celebrating David's life will be held at the Back Nine Tavern, Stanley Golf Course, 245 Hartford Ave., New Britain. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the New Britain Chapter of Hadassah, c/o Sandy Silver, 36 Elaine Dr., Bristol, CT 06050. A box of rain will ease the pain and love will see us through.