Sidney Stein

1923 - 2017

Sidney R. Stein, 93

WORCESTER - Sidney R. Stein, 93, of Eisenberg Assisted Living, 631 Salisbury Street, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, March 18, 2017 in St. Vincent Hospital. He lived in Worcester for 50 years.

Sidney was most proud of his family. His loving red-headed freckled wife of 61 years, Sarah (Sandy) (Cogan) Stein died in 2012. Sidney loved her deeply and was a sad puppy dog each day he was without her physical presence. He leaves two sons, Fred Stein and daughter-in-law Pam of Coconut Creek, FL and Alan Stein-Seroussi and daughter-in law Doreen of Carborro, NC; two daughters, Susan Stein and son-in-law Martin Stein of Worcester and Shari Stein of Worcester; a brother Edward Stein and his partner Linda Lavigne of Rochdale; a sister Fay Goldstein, wife of Harold Goldstein, of Milford; six grandchildren, Rick Stein and his fiancée Shauna Lucibello, Andrew Stein, Lindsay Wilk, wife of Saul Wilk, Jillian Stein-Seroussi, Garrett Stein-Seroussi and his fiancée Molly McDonough, and Max Stein-Seroussi; two great grandsons, Levi Wilk and Tobias Wilk; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by daughter Shelley Stein and by sisters Dotty Stein and Alice Krass.

Sidney was born in Milford, MA, son of Harry and Pearl (Gittel) Stein, on June 16, 1923. A child of immigrants who grew up during the Depression and matured as a soldier in the Air Force in WWII, he loved vaudeville humor and always entertained his family and friends with one-liners. Some of them were funny. His family would first describe Sidney as a sweet and loving man. He treated everyone he met with respect and dignity and always gave the benefit of the doubt. In this way he was truly extraordinary.

His greatest contribution to society, other than his family, is his service to this country as part of the Mighty Eighth Air Force during WWII. Sidney flew 30 missions over Germany. On one flight his B-17 bomber was shot down and crashed in the North Sea, near England. His quick-wittedness and doggedness under life-and-death circumstances to call for support as the radio operator saved his crew and the many generations from his crew that followed. He was the last remaining of his crew members to live. He received many awards for his service, including the Distinguished Flying Cross.

He was a member of Temple Emanuel Sinai in Worcester and the Irving Yarock Post #32 of the Jewish War Veterans.

In lieu of flowers, his family requests that you donate to one of the organizations that meant the most to Sidney:

The Seven Hills Foundation provides care and services for his child Shari Stein. The web site to donate in his memory is www.sevenhills.org.

Sidney is incredibly proud of his grandson Dr. Andrew Stein and his work in helping conserve the big cat population in the world, specifically Africa. The web site to donate to Dr. Stein's CLAWS CONSERVANCY is www.clawsconservancy.org.

The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force represents and remembers Sidney and his fellow crewmembers who fought for this country and the freedom of humanity during WWII. The web site to donate in his memory is www.mightyeighth.org.

FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT 12:30PM ON MONDAY, MARCH 20 IN TEMPLE EMANUEL SINAI, 661 SALISBURY STREET, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF RICHARD PERLMAN OF MILES FUNERAL HOME OF HOLDEN. Burial will be in Framingham Natick Hebrew Cemetery in Natick.

Memorial Observance will be held through Tuesday evening, March 21 at the residence of Susan and Martin Stein, 32 Pine Tree Drive, Worcester.

www.milesfuneralhome.com