Louis STEIN

STEIN, Louis Louis Stein of Kirkwood Rd., West Hartford, passed away Friday, (November 13, 2009) at 95 years of age. Born in Hartford, he was the son of the late Harry and Elizabeth (Gendler) Stein. Lou graduated from Weaver High School in 1932, where he won The Oration Prize for his graduation address. In 1936, he graduated from Trinity College. He was elected Phi Beta Kappa in his junior year. Lou also took a fifth year course at Teachers College in New Britain. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. His athletic career began at age 12. At Trinity, he was a member of the tennis team for four years. He was the winner of many singles championships, also serving as captain of his team. In 1948, he earned the city doubles championship and Keney Park singles title. Thirteen years later he took the doubles championship prize at the same park. He has been ranked by the New England Lawn Tennis Association for over 30 years. In 1985, he was ranked 5th in the country in the 70-year old age group. In 1987 he was elected to the Hall of Fame of Hartford Jewish Athletes. Lou competed in the United States verses Europe competition in 1990 winning a singles match. At age 89, he was ranked first in his age group in New England. Lou began his professional career working for the Veteran's Administration. In 1955, he founded his own insurance business in Hartford, The Stein Agency. He operated the business until his retirement in 1976, intending to devote his time to his first love, tennis. While wintering in Florida, he continued his tennis career, at one time attaining a #1 ranking. He was a founding member of Beth El Temple of West Hartford and a former member of the Temple's Board of Trustees. Lou was also a member of Level Lodge No 137 A.F. & A. M., the West Hartford Regents, and the Hartford Tennis Club. Lou is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Rita (Pinkes) Stein; his beloved and devoted son, Gary R. Stein and his wife Linda of Naples, FL; his brother, Sidney Stein and his wife Elaine of Vero Beach, FL; his sister-in-law, Selma Stein of West Hartford; two grandchildren, Traci Kressley and her husband Richard, and Chris Guntz and his wife Anne; two great-grandchildren, Jacob and Aric Kressley; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Milton Stein; his sisters, Florence Kaufman and Selma Cohen, and his brother-in-law, Abraham 'Sonny' Pinkes. Funeral Services will be held Sunday, November 15, 2009 at 12 Noon in the Sanctuary of Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Ave., West Hartford, with Rabbi James Rosen, Rabbi Stanley M. Kessler, and Rabbi Ilana Garber officiating. Interment will follow in Beth El Temple Cemetery, Avon. A memorial period will be observed at his home, Sunday following the funeral through Tuesday evening. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford. For further information, directions, or to share memories of Lou with his family, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com.