Benjamin B. Finkelstein

FINKELSTEIN Benjamin B. Finkelstein, age 72, a Ridgefield resident for the past 32 years, died on Wednesday, February 23, 2005, at Danbury Hospital following a massive stroke. He was loved and missed by many. He was the husband of Eleanor "Elie" (Singer) Finkelstein. Mr. Finkelstein was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., the youngest child of Morris and Ida (Applebaum) Finkelstein. He attended New York Schools and was a U.S. Army Korean War veteran and a graduate of Brooklyn College of Pharmacy. Ben had owned the Westfair Pharmacy in Westport from 1960 to 1976. He then was a pharmacist at Wilton Pharmacy and in later years, Rite-Aid Pharmacy, Main Street, Danbury, and most recently the Rite-Aid Pharmacy, Main Street, Bridgeport, until his sudden illness. Well known in the area theater groups for his expertise and hard work in designing and building of sets, stage managing, serving on the Board and doing anything and everything that was needed. He was currently serving on the board of the Pound Ridge Theatre Co. Previously, he had been a board member at Ridgefield Workshop for the Performing Arts and was the first recipient of their Lifetime Achievement Award. Ben belonged to various Pharmaceutical Associations in the area and was an active participant in Jewish Marriage Encounter along with his wife Elie. He was of Temple B'Nai Chaim of Georgetown. In addition to his wife, Elie of 48 years, he leaves a son, Everett Finkelstein and his wife, Tara Demyan, of Providence, R.I.; two daughters, Mardi Smith and her husband, David, of Newtown, and Amy Joyce and her husband, Ed, of Reston, Va.; two sisters, Marion Weinstein of New York and Florida, and Louise Gross of Long Island, N.Y.; seven grandchildren, Zoe, Hannah, and Jacob Finkelstein, Kyra and Brandon Smith and Sarah and Samantha Joyce; as well as several nieces and nephews and cousins survive. Funeral services will take place on Friday, February 25, 2005, at 10 a.m. at Temple B'Nai Chaim, 82 Portland Avenue, Georgetown, with Rabbi Leah Cohen officiating. Burial will follow in Old Montefiore Cemetery, Springfield Gardens, Queens, N.Y. The family will be observing Shiva at the Finkelstein residence, 504, Barrack Hill Road, Ridgefield, on Saturday, February 26, after 6 p.m., Sunday, February 27, from 12 noon to 4 p.m. and Monday, February 28, from 2 to 9 p.m. and at the Smith residence Newtown (203) 364-1788 on Sunday, February 27, after 6 p.m. Friends are asked to kindly omit flowers. Memorial contributions to the Stroke Center at Danbury Hospital, Danbury Hospital Development Fund, 24 Hospital Avenue, Danbury, CT 06810 would be greatly appreciated. The Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield, is in charge of arrangements.