Nassau Herald — Oct. 1-7 issue

Nina Silverman, co-owner of Morton's Army and Navy store, dies at 72

Nina Silverman, a Lawrence resident for over 30 years, died on Aug. 20 in Long Beach following a battle with breast cancer. She was 72.

Silverman co-owned Morton's Army and Navy store in Cedarhurst with her husband Jerry for over 20 years. The couple recently celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary. She was a member of the National Council of Jewish Women and Women's American ORT and was the granddaughter of the founder of Russ & Daughters, one of New York's premier appetizing food stores.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry; children, Joel, Steven, and his wife Shari, and Beth, and her husband Sam; and six grandchildren, Jordan, Sydney, Sarah, Ryan, Ben and Mackenzie.

Funeral services took place on Aug. 23 at Boulevard-Riverside Chapel in Hewlett, followed by a burial at Beth David Cemetery in Elmont.

Mary Boltz, first woman admitted to Inwood Civic Association, dies at 86

Mary A. Caparelli-Boltz, a Rockville Centre resident, died peacefully in her sleep on Sept. 14. She was 86.

Mary was born in Inwood and was a graduate of Lawrence High School. Later, she worked for the CBS Publicity Department from 1943-48 and wrote extensively for television, radio and the local Gotham Guide Magazine. She was active in the USO during World War II and met her husband, William E. Boltz, on a blind date when he was stationed on Long Island.

Having successfully broken the glass ceiling, Boltz became the first woman admitted into the Inwood Civic and Businessman’s Association, where she served as Secretary (1952-64), President (1965-66) and Chairman of the Board (1967-68). She also instituted scholarships and grants for students in the Five Towns area; she served as President of the Lawrence Public School 2 PTA; became a lifetime member of the Central Council PTA as well as becoming Vice-President of the Economic Opportunity Council in Inwood. For many years, Boltz was an active board member at St. Joachim Church in Cedarhurst, where she worked diligently to raise funds for their annual Diamond Ball.

Boltz started the Lawrence High School Reunion Committee, Class of 1941. She continued this for 30 years until 1971, and became Chairman of Lawrence High School 50th Year Reunion in 1991. She was an active member of the American Business Woman’s Association, Long Island Chapter.

Boltz has been honored with an endless list of achievements. These include: being the Nassau Herald’s Person of the Year; Silver and Gold Medallion Awards for Boy’s Town of Italy; for her outstanding work for young people, Boy’s Town of Italy was proud to present her businesswoman, mother, grandmother and community activist with the 1997 “Woman of the Year” award. She was also an honoree at the St. Joachim Diamond Ball.

She is survived by her three daughters Valerie Boltz Austin, Beverly Boltz and Cindy (Sean) O’Rourke. In addition, she is survived by her seven grandchildren: William and Jonathan Austin, Heather O’Rourke (Anton) Dengler, Cynthia O’Rourke (Nick) Zottoli and Thomas E., Patricia and Breffni O’Rourke. Also, she is survived by her two great-grandchildren, Thomas D. and Nevaeh O’Rourke.
Boltz was laid out at Thomas A. Glynn Funeral Home in Rockville Centre, with a burial mass held at St. Agnes Cathedral on Sept. 18.

Gerald Rubenstein, long-time Cedarhurst resident, dies at 89

Gerald Rubenstein, a resident of Cedarhurst for nearly 50 years, died in his home on Sept. 17. He was 89.

The Brooklyn-born Rubenstein worked in the textile industry for over 40 years, and attended the Philadelphia Textile Institute. He volunteered at St. John's Episcopal Hospital for 15 years and was a member of Temple Beth-El in Cedarhurst.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Harriet; his son, Lee, and his wife Caryn; and two grandchildren, Mara and Adam.

Rubenstein’s funeral, which was presided over by Rabbi Sholom Stern, was held on Sept. 21 at Boulevard-Riverside Chapel in Hewlett. He was laid to rest at Mount Judah Cemetery in Ridgewood.

In remembrance
Dr. Mark Melamed and the staff of South Shore Ophthalmology mourn the passing of Dr. William Bockvar, our friend and colleague for 30 years. We extend our sympathies to his wife Ginger and to his children. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.