Morris Weintraub, 100

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Morris Weintraub, 100, passed away at his home on June 27, 2022. He died the way he lived – in peace and surrounded by loved ones. Earlier that day, several of his great-grandchildren were beside him whispering “we love you, great-grandpa.”

Morris was born in Providence on May 21, 1922, the son of David Weintraub and Leah Melamut Weintraub. He was the eldest of three brothers, surviving the late Albert and Herman Weintraub.

After serving in the military during World War II, Morris married Florence Nadien, of Fall River, Massachusetts. Morris and Florence raised their children in Providence and were together for 55 years until Florence passed away in 2004. Morris worked in a variety of sales positions until 1977, when he launched a successful business, Retail Recruiters, which he ran for 15 years before retiring at age 70. His retirement was short lived. He then served on the RI Parole Board for the next three years and rounded out his career serving as a member and as chair of the Personnel Appeals Board for another 15 years. Morris served the people of Rhode Island until he was 90.

He enjoyed an active social life, attended Temple Beth-El in Providence, loved playing bocce and dining out with friends, worked out with his trainer and, above all, thrived spending time with his family, including his two children, three grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and devoted partner of 17 years, Joan Gelch, and her family. One month before he passed away, he celebrated the Bat Mitzvah of his great-granddaughter Daphne as well as his 100th birthday at a well-attended party in Boston thrown for him by his beloved Joanie.

Morris was a husband, a partner, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather, a pillar of the community and, above all, a mensch.

He is survived by his son and daughter Stuart Weintraub and partner Sue Adelhardt, of San Francisco, California, and Taos New Mexico, and Michael W. Fink and her husband Mike Fink, of Providence; his three grandchildren Emily Fink Spunt (Nathan), of Brookline, Massachusetts, Lily Fink Samin (Nadav), of Silver Spring, Maryland, and Reuben Fink (Laura), of Newton, Massachusetts; and seven great-grandchildren as well as his partner Joan Gelch and her family.

Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to Temple Beth-El, 70 Orchard Ave., Providence, RI 02906.