Stanley Israelite

Stanley Israelite, 89, a lifelong Norwich, CT resident, passed away peacefully in his home on December 22, 2014 after a long life of love and service to family, friends and the citizens of Norwich, the State of Connecticut and the United States of America. The family would like to thank the Center for Hospice Care of Southeastern Connecticut for its assistance in making Stanley comfortable during his final weeks of life.

Stanley’s wife, Linda Davis Hershman of Norwich, CT survives him.

In addition to his wife Linda, Stanley is survived by his children Abby Dolliver and her husband Bill of Norwich, CT, Mindy Wilkie and her husband Bill of East Hampton, CT, Jonathan Israelite and his wife Jennipher of Milford, CT, Michael Israelite and his wife Donna of Westerly, RI, his step children Jay Hershman and his wife Tracy Strollo Hershman of Cheshire, CT, Elisabeth Hershman and her husband Raj Patel of Stamford, CT, his grandchildren Adam Dolliver and his wife Jessica of Norwich, Robert Dolliver and his wife Kim of Westport, CT, Rebecca Wilkie and Ben Wilkie of East Hampton, CT, Zachery, Jake and Drew Israelite of Milford, CT, Jeremy Israelite and his wife Rachel of Marlton, NJ, Justin Israelite and his wife Jill of Beverly, MA, his step grandchildren RJ Strollo, Ashley Strollo and Jake Hershman of Cheshire, CT, Alexander and Carolina Patel of Stamford, CT, his great grand children Moran and Lewis Dolliver of Westport, CT, Mia and Morgan Israelite of Marlton, NJ, Olivia and Caleb Israelite of Beverly, MA, his sister in laws Phyllis Barber Plotkin of Norwich, CT, Marsha Barber Gillette and her husband Robert of Lynchburg, VA and Sandy Davis of Pittsburgh, PA.

His parents, William and Dora Israelite, his siblings Norman Israelite and Shirley Singer and his first wife Pauline Barber Israelite, predeceased Stanley.

Stanley was born on April 25, 1925 in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from NFA in 1943. He was a US Army WWII veteran having served from 1943 until his honorable discharge in 1946. He had a long and varied business and community service career beginning as the owner of Modern Jewelers and later as the Executive Director of the Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce. He then served for 23 years as state director and senior advisor to Senator Christopher J Dodd before retiring from this role to become the industrial development specialist for the Norwich Community Development Corporation where he served until 2008. In the early 1960’s Stanley served as a member of the Norwich City Council.

He was also the Chairman of the City of Norwich Department of Public Utilities Commission, a Corporator of the Backus Hospital, the Norwich Savings Society, and the Norwich Free Academy.

During his tenure as Executive Director of the Norwich Chamber of Commerce and as State Director for Senator Dodd, Stanley was a driving force for the creation of educational and employment opportunities for the residents of Connecticut.

Stanley was featured in the November 27, 1995 issue of U.S. News and World Report as one of 12 indispensible Americans for his tireless efforts in fighting government bureaucracy on behalf of the citizens of CT. In 1997 he was presented the Director’s Community Leadership Award by then FBI Director Louis Freeh. Stanley was honored in 2000 when the Norwich Industrial Park, was renamed the Stanley Israelite Business Park.

Stanley’s passion for community service was never based on a desire for personal fortune or fame, but rather always doing what was in the best interests of the residents of Norwich and Connecticut.

The many people who had the opportunity to work with him knew him as a beloved “coach”. He always reminded his fellow state and federal employees, “don’t forget the people”.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 PM on Friday, December 26, 2014 at Beth Jacob Synagogue in Norwich, CT. The family will greet funeral attendees beginning at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in Norwich Hebrew Benevolent Cemetery #4 on Middle Rd. in Preston.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please perform an act of kindness for someone in need, or make a donation in Stanley’s honor to the charity of your choice.

To leave a message of condolence for Stanley’s family, please visit www.churchandallen.com

The Church and Allen Funeral Home, 136 Sachem St. Norwich, is entrusted with arrangements.