Herbert Watstein

Herbert Watstein, 86, eminent trial attorney, of Bethany, Conn. and Indian Wells, Calif., died on Nov. 27, 2011, at his Bethany home after a long battle with prostate cancer. Attorney Watstein practiced law in Bristol, Conn. for over 60 years as a member of Watstein & Watstein, P.C. until the time of his death. Born on Sept. 8, 1925, the eldest son of Atty. Harry Watstein and Tema (Brochin) Watstein, Herb followed in his father's footsteps graduating from Yale Law School and establishing his law firm in Bristol in 1950. In 1963, Herb was joined by his brother, the late Julius Watstein, to form Watstein & Watstein, P.C. Herb's practice included a broad spectrum of law, with concentration in the representation of victims of personal injury and Worker's Compensation injuries. Judge John Droney, a long-time friend and mentor, called Herb "The Legend" when Herb appeared before him at the Superior Court of Stamford. Attorney Watstein was a career member of the New Haven County Bar Association, the Conn. Bar Association, Hartford County Bar Association, and the Conn. Trial Lawyers Association. He was admitted to the United States District Court and the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York. Encouraged by his father, Herb began the study of piano when he was in grammar school in New Haven. Ward Davenny, Head of the Piano Department at Yale Music Conservatory, was his first teacher and mentor for fourteen years. At the age of twelve, he was soloist at Woolsey Hall. As an undergraduate at UCONN, he studied with Martin Burton, pupil of Siloti, the most famous pianist of the day. At Herb's graduation from UCONN, he performed the piano concerto Number Two by Rachmaninoff. When Herb was thirteen years of age, he joined the Local 234 New Haven Musician's Union. After each New Haven High School (Hillhouse) day session ended at 5:00 PM, Herb would take the bus to Milford to play with the Worthy Hills Orchestra at the Seven Gables Supper Club. Mr. Hill's first advice to Herb was to play Waterfalls (style). Jazz was a life-long passion and it was usual for him to take the train to New York on the weekends to listen to the great ones--Coleman Hawkins, Lady Day Billie Holiday, Teddy Wilson---at the 52nd Street Beat Club. Herb heard pianists Joe Bush and Mel Powell and took several lessons with their teacher Willie "The Lion" Smith. The New Haven jazz scene produced greats including Artie Shaw and his best friend Sonny Berman, a renown jazz trumpeter later to become a star with Woody Herman. During Herb's senior year in high school, Sonny asked Herb to join the Louis Prima Band in Cincinnati with whom Sonny was playing. Joining the band meant not graduating high school and Herb's father, Harry, left it up to him to determine his own fate. Herb continued with school and became orchestra pianist for the Boogie Woogie Idol, Freddie Slack, and even spent an evening sitting in at a rehearsal at the Nola Studios with Dizzy Gillespie and Peggy Lee with the Benny Goodman band. When Vladimir Feltsman immigrated to the United States from Russia, Herb became a founding member of Mr. Feltsman's master classes at SUNY, New Pawling, N.Y., which he attended for over five years. Herb Watstein recently recorded a second CD, Kreisleriana by Schumann. He was an avid concert supporter of the New York Philharmonic Series and traveled often into the City for shows and theater. Herb was honored with a Fellowship at the Timothy Dwight College at Yale University. His club memberships included Indian Wells Resort Golf Course, Indian Wells Tennis Gardens, Old Lyme Country Club, Woodbridge Country Club, and Yale Golf Course as well as Coleman Courts and The Graduate Club. Herb was a founding member of the Bristol Symphony with whom he performed for over ten years. He was married to his beloved wife, Geraldine Stokes Watstein of Anderson, S.C., for over 20 years. Their passion was their home in which they shared joy in creating structural improvements. As a couple they also loved to travel and enjoyed each and every adventure. In addition to his wife, Jerri; he is survived by his three beloved daughters, Rachel, Miriam, and Sarah Watstein. He is also survived by three beloved grandchildren, Jack, Coco, and Sam. Herb often talked about his love for his family and how proud he was of them all. Herb is also survived by his brother, Dr. George Watstein of North Haven, and his wife, Dr. Ilene Rosenberg, along with their daughter, Tema Watstein, and George's son, David Watstein, David's wife Lauren, and their daughter Molly. Herb Watstein will be missed and remembered by his paralegals who affectionately called him, "The Hurricane." Funeral Services at Robert E. Shure Funeral Home, 543 George St., New Haven, Wednesday morning at 11:00 AM with Interment Services to follow at the North West Burial Grounds, Route 67, Woodbridge. Memorial Contributions may be sent to Masonicare Home Health & Hospice, Masonicare Charity Foundation of Ct., 74 Cheshire Rd., P.O. Box 70, Wallingford, Ct. 06492. www.shurefuneralhome.com