Irving Melvin Plotkin

Colchester - Irving Melvin Plotkin, 86, of Colchester, passed away Friday, June 13, 2014, at home with his loving wife, Roz, by his side.

Born Nov. 6, 1927, in New London, he was the son of the late Philip and Rebecca (Greenberg) Plotkin. Mr. Plotkin served in the U.S. Army as a staff sergeant during the Korean War.

On Feb. 11, 1951, he wed the former Roselyn Gordon at Beth Jacob Synagogue in Norwich.

In 1952, he and Roz opened Plotkin's Jewelers in Colchester. Over the years, Irv was well known throughout the region as a specialist in watch repair. He was a member of the Connecticut Jewelers Association and the Jewelers of America.

Irv was a member of Congregation Ahavath Achim in Colchester, having served on the board of directors and as chairman of the Ritual Committee for over 15 years.

With a strong sense of concern for the community, Irv was an extremely active member of the Colchester Lions Club for 60 years, serving as president and in many other capacities. He was a recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship, Knight of the Blind and was a distinguished life member of the Colchester Club, for whom he was also Lion of the Year. He loved working local events including the pancake breakfast, carnival on the green, and fishing derby. Irv and Roz attended the Lions International Convention in Minneapolis, where Colchester was recognized as a model club for its efforts to support Campaign Sight First. He was also a member of the Donald A. Bigelow American Legion Post 54, service officer and Colchester representative of the Connecticut Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines Fund for many years, Hadassah Associates, Colchester Historic District Commission and Charter, and very active member of the Colchester Business Association.

Most importantly, he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather and will be greatly missed. May his memory be for a blessing.

In addition to his loving wife of 63 years, survivors include two children, Paul Gordon Plotkin and his fiancée, Deborah Henderson, of Waterford and Hillery Fern Plotkin Bauman and her husband, Daniel, of Stoughton, Mass.; four grandchildren, Betty, Michael, Adam, and Cassandra; caring sister-in-law, Phyllis Plotkin; and numerous extended family members and friends.

Funeral services will be observed at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 15, in the sanctuary of Congregation Ahavath Achim, 84 Lebanon Ave., Colchester, with Rabbi Kenneth Alter, officiating. Interment will follow at Ahavath Achim Memorial Park, Colchester. Shivah will be observed through Friday, June 20, at his residence, 64 Kennedy Drive.

Donations in his memory may be made to the synagogue, PO Box 5, Colchester, CT 06415, the Colchester Lions Club Charities, PO Box 423, Colchester, CT 06415, the Colchester Business Assn., PO Box 453, Colchester, CT 06415, or to Hadassah, c/o Fran Hirschkowitz, 19 Great Plain Road, Norwich, CT 06360.

Care of arrangements has been entrusted to the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home of Colchester. www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com.