Phillip Gladstein

1924 - 2016

Philip Gladstein, DDS, 92 years of age, of West Hartford, died on Tuesday, November 22, 2016. He leaves behind the love of his life, his wife Jean, with whom he shared 61 years of marriage. He was born in Hartford to the late Samuel & Bella (Wachtel) Gladstein on April 1, 1924. He always liked to joke about being born on April Fools' Day. Philip attended Weaver High school and the University of Connecticut, where he was on the soccer and swim teams. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and later graduated from the University of Minnesota Dental School. He practiced dentistry in Hartford, and then was called to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he practiced dentistry as part of the occupation force in Germany. In 1953 he opened a dental office in New Britain where he practiced & treated his patients as family members, and provided the quality of care that he would have wanted for himself. He met Jean in January of 1955 and they were married four month later. They shared many wonderful years together, raised three sons, and travelled throughout the country, and much of the world. In 1983, his son Eric, joined the dental practice, and Philip continued to work part-time until his retirement in 1991. Philip was a President of the New Britain Dental Society, where he helped guide New Britain to become the first city in the country to voluntarily provide fluoride in the water to decrease the rate of decay. He was also a President of B'Nai Brith for the area, and a Boy Scout Head Scoutmaster in Hartford. He was active in the Alpha Omega Dental Society throughout his career. For many years he enjoyed playing golf, swimming, walking; and dancing with Jean. In his later years he was an avid bridge player with his wife, and friends, at the Hartford Bridge Club, and senior centers in West Hartford, Bloomfield, and Simsbury. He was active, and an officer, in the West Hartford Regents for 25 years during his retirement. He enjoyed life, good health and was able to exercise regularly until the end of his life. Philip was a positive thinker, very clever, and a charming man. He was incredibly kind and loved people. His greatest joy was his family. He leaves behind his wife Jean; and their children, Dr. Eric Gladstein & his wife, Dr. Michelle Brisman-Gladstein of Avon; Martin Gladstein & his wife Shelly, of Andover, MA; Neil Gladstein & his wife, Lynn Rhinehart, of Silver Spring, MD. He leaves his grandchildren, Kate, Jaclyn, Scott & his wife Christina, Zeke, Aaron, David, Mark, Benjamin; and a great-granddaughter, Anna. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 25, 2016 at Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Avenue, West Hartford, CT with Rabbi James Rosen officiating. Shiva will be observed on Friday, immediately after the ceremony, resuming on Saturday after 6 p.m., and on Sunday from 3:00 p.m. at the home of Eric & Michelle Gladstein, 88 Carriage Drive, Avon, CT. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.