Saul Mindel

August 23, 1917 – August 27, 2010

LEBANON - Saul Mindel, son of the late Celia (Chipkin) Mindel of Poland and Samuel Mindel of Russia, was born in Bozrahville (presently known as Bozrah) August 23, 1917. He graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1936, and began employment with the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) immediately after high school. He married Clara Schwartz June 9, 1946, and lived in Bozrah assisting his widowed mother while raising a family. In 1956 Saul and Clara moved to their current residence, a 30-acre farm in Lebanon, previously known as “The Wall Farm”. In his spare time, Saul raised and fattened veal calves which brought top price at the former Kahn’s Auction in Franklin. He maintained half a dozen milking cows, and only took vacation time to take in hay. He prided himself on his crops and his extensive vegetable garden. He retired from the DOT in 1972 after 36 years of service. He worked briefly at Gilman Brother’s Factory after his retirement.

Saul was one of the early organizers of the Bozrah Volunteer Fire Department and was recently recognized during their 60th anniversary celebration. Saul and Clara were active in the Lebanon Historical Society, the former Jewish Congregation of Lebanon, and Beth Jacob Synagogue in Norwich.

Saul was predeceased by his wife Clara, a sister, Ida Mindel of Hartford, and three brothers, Louis Mindel and Al Mindell of Springfield, Massachusetts, and Michael Mindel of West Palm Beach, Florida.

He is survived by four children; Sylvia Pinhassy (Yosef) of Jerusalem, Israel, Marjorie Mindel of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Howard Mindel (Annamarie) of Decatur, Georgia, Maxine Mindel of Gig Harbor, Washington, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at Beth Jacob Synagogue, 400 New London Turnpike, Norwich, CT 06360, TODAY, Sunday, August 29, 2010 at 12:00 noon. Interment will follow at IOBA in Greenville. Everyone is invited to return to Beth Jacob for a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Beth Jacob Synagogue or your charity of choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Church & Allen Funeral Home.