Robert Lester Estrin

Robert Lester Estrin, of Coconut Creek, Florida, formerly of Dunellen and Plainfield, NJ, passed away on August 28, 2018 at home, he was 97. Born in Elmwood Place, Ohio on March 18, 1921. Bob, as he was known, grew up in Dunellen where his parents owned and operated a tailor and dry-cleaning business. He graduated from Dunellen High School where he played baseball. Later he refereed basketball locally, played golf and enjoyed playing tennis until he was 89 years old.

Mr. Estrin was a World War II veteran, enlisting in the Army Air Force where he was assigned to the Ninth Air Force, 397th Bomb Group as a crew chief and flight engineer. He served in Europe and supported the D-Day Invasion of Occupied France.

Mr. Estrin worked for Public Service Electric and Gas, and the US Postal Service before he and his wife, Gertrude, opened their dry-cleaning business, Orbit Cleaners, in Piscataway. While in NJ he was very active in the community including Chairman of the March of Dimes, a member of the Dunellen Recreation Commission and the Board of Health, President of the Piscataway Rotary Club, Chapter and Life-member of the Triboro Post #5479 Veterans of Foreign Wars, member of Foreign Legion Post #199, President of Tri-County B’nai B’rith Lodge #2935 in Plainfield, NJ, and a member of the Jewish Community Center of Plainfield where he served on the Athletic Commission. He was also an active member of Temple Beth El, which at the time was in Plainfield.

Upon moving to Wynmoor Village in Coconut Creek, Florida, Mr. Estrin was director of his building for 25 years and then president of his Portofino 2 Village for several years. He was also president of B’nai B’rith Wynmoor Lodge #3097 and then president of the North Broward Council of B’nai Brith.

Mr. Estrin was pre-deceased by his parents Samuel and Ruth (Freeze) Estrin and his brother, Milton Estrin. Mr. Estrin leaves behind his wife of almost 70 years, Gertrude, his children Barbara Rubin (husband Jeffrey) of Piscataway, Joel Estrin (wife Sharon) of Buckeye, AZ, Sandra Kanitra (husband Edward) of Lawrenceville, Allan Estrin (wife Stephanie) of Mt. Laurel. Grandchildren, Richard Rubin, Michael Rubin, Lindsay Gonzalez, Amanda Kanitra, Jonathan Estrin, Michael Estrin, David Estrin and 6 great-grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are under the supervision of Berheim-Apter Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel in Livingston. Services will be held graveside at the mausoleum on Friday, August 31, 2018 at 11 am at Beth Israel Cemetery, US, US Highway 1 North, Woodbridge. Following the service attendees are welcome to return to the shiva home. Shiva will be held on Sunday from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm; Monday from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. Services on Monday evening will begin at 7:30 pm; Tuesday from 2-4 pm. Please contact [email protected] for details.

Donations may be made in Mr. Estrin’s honor to the Jewish War Veterans.