STANLEY FINEMAN

FINEMAN STANLEY J. FINEMAN Passed away Tuesday, March 15, 2022 after a long battle with kidney disease. His devoted wife Jane was at his side. He died comfortably and peacefully from complications following abdominal surgery. In addition to Jane, Stan is survived by his daughter Eve Fineman; and grandson Eero Dunham of Chicago. Stan studied cultural anthropology and history at the University of Michigan. Throughout his life he was a collector of friends and a student of cultures. He received his law degree at Columbia University. He and Jane traveled the world for 40 years, including two around the world trips. Originally from New York, he spent most of his life in Washington, DC, where he was an attorney with Wilkes Artis for more than 38 years. He was considered by many the dean of commercial real estate in DC when he retired in 2013. Through his foresight, devotion, legal acumen and wisdom he created a firm that supported the spirit of kinship for his partners and co-workers. When he retired his firm was the most successful commercial tax assessment practice in the nation. He was active in many philanthropic and professional organizations in Washington. He was one of the founding members of the American Property Tax Counsel and The Golden Triangle Business District, an organization that has been replicated in many other cities. For all of his successes, he was humble; he often described himself as a "dirt lawyer" from DC. He excelled in whatever endeavor caught his fancy. When he wanted to "up his bridge game" he engaged a teacher, who said, "the pupil often played hands better than the master." His was a restive, curious mind that made the world a more interesting place. He had strong beliefs, and in the final analysis aren't men judged by the sincerity of their beliefs and the rectitude of their actions? While in Washington he was active in the development of Operation Understanding DC (OUDC). His attention and involvement in that fledging operation left an indelible mark on the boards with whom he served and supported for many years and on students in the programs. The goal was development of the next generation's leaders for social justice. He spoke and lived a life that embodied principles that strove to eradicate racism, antisemitism, and all forms of discrimination. tan and Jane summered since 1989 in Kennebunkport, ME, where they had a large coterie of friends, from the town and from the Kennebunk River Club. Stan formed the River Club Foundation to raise money to restore the Boathouse which had been slowly sinking for years into the Kennebunk River. This structure built in 1889 was lifted from its foundation over the course of a year and reenforced with steel pilings. His Foundation had the Boathouse registered with the Maine Historical Society as the oldest, continual boathouse in Maine. This much loved structure is used by authors, First Ladies, Presidents, townspeople and club people. He was very proud of these efforts where he and others had donated generously their time, financial resources, and two auctions, with Stan auctioneer, to fund this monumental undertaking for a small summer club. Stan stepped up to whatever task he thought his efforts could improve, whether it was the BID or OUDC in Washington or the Boathouse in Kennebunkport. If you choose to donate in Stan's memory consider CUNY. His beloved brother-in-law, Paul C. Notari spent the last decades of his career working in renewable resources, particularly solar energy. His family established a small endowment in 2021 called Paul C. Notari Research Grants in Environmental Studies. These grants are competitively awarded to PhD students at the Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY) working in any area relevant to scientific, social, cultural, legal, or policy issues in relation to environmental studies, climate change, renewable energy, pollution control. These small research grants are often the first funding students have ever received to fund their work, their first foray into professional writing, and they are so inspiring. Stan prized education above all else. Stan was also a devotee the last 15 years of his life to Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Florida Atlantic University in Jupiter, FL. Here are courses and lectures in politics, current events, arts, and music primarily for older retirees who want to keep learning. This program is funded entirely through private donations. Either of these two educational entities would be fitting to honor Stan, who had a life -long thirst for knowledge. A Celebration of Life will be held in the Club at Admirals Cove in Jupiter, FL on Monday, May 2 at 1 p.m. If you plan to come, please RSVP to Jane Sanders Fineman at jrs4610@gmail.comA">jrs4610@gmail.comA Celebration of Life will be held in the Club at Admirals Cove in Jupiter, FL on Monday, May 2 at 1 p.m. If you plan to come, please RSVP to Jane Sanders Fineman at jrs4610@gmail.com