Sidney J. Israel

A graveside service will be conducted on Friday, December 7th at 12:00 at Montrepose Cemetery. Those attending should meet at the front gate just prior to noon. Sidney J. Israel of Sun Lakes, AZ died November 30, 2012. He was 90. He was born in 1922 and raised in Kingston, NY. While attending college, Sid, a musician, led a swing band that played college dances throughout the Northeast. He also played with Charlie Spivak's Orchestra. Sid graduated from Rider University in 1943 with a degree in Industrial Psychology. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the US Army. He served three years with the 4th Armored Division in the European Sector. After his discharge, he worked in the kitchen and bathroom remodeling business up till his retirement. In 1947 he married Gloria Dubin. They had two sons Marc and Richard. The family lived in Poughkeepsie and then Monsey, NY before retiring to Sun Lakes, AZ in 1988. Sid was a member of the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation and served as its President in 1990. He served on the Congregation's Board of Directors for ten years and was the founder and first President of the Congregation's Men's Club. Sid created the Sun Lakes Jewish Film Festival which later became the East Valley Film Festival and ultimately joined with the Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival. A memorial service will be conducted at 2PM on Sunday at the Sun Lakes Chapel for All Faiths, 9240 E Sun Lakes Blvd N, Sun Lakes, AZ. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Valley Fund Development, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014-5656.