Mayer Louis Wainstein

Mayer passed away peacefully on March 6th, surrounded by loving family. Mayer, known affectionately as ‘Butch,’ was born on January 4, 1939, to Maurice and Geraldine Wainstein in Miami, Florida. The family later moved to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he spent his childhood.

Butch attended The Ohio State University, where he was affiliated with the Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity. There, he met and eventually married his wife Deanna (Deanie) Saltzman. After graduation, he attended The Ohio State University Medical School.

After graduating from Medical School, Butch completed his internship at Mount Sinai Hospital in Cleveland, and his residency in Urology from Case Western Reserve University, under Dr. Lester Persky. After that, he served as a surgeon in the military at Vandenburg Airforce Base in California.

Butch practiced Urology in Toledo, Ohio for over 40 years, where he was head of a progressive eleven-doctor urology group: Genito Urology Group. He served as the chief of surgery for over ten years at Toledo Hospital.

Butch was a beloved physician, adored by his patients. He was respected as a skilled surgeon by colleagues and staff. Most importantly, he loved his work and patients. His work, however, never ended even after he left the office. Over the years, family and friends would turn to Butch for medical advice and care. Dr. Wainstein would diligently and patiently listen, answering all questions with wisdom and kindness. His passion for medicine, his selflessness, and desire to help others ultimately inspiring his children and grandchildren to pursue careers in medicine.

Beyond his professional life, Butch was committed to serving others as he worked at the University of Toledo Medical School and volunteered at the Friendship Center in Sarasota, Florida. He was also a supporter of the arts and theatre.

After retirement, Butch and Deanie wintered on Long Boat Key where they savored the community. Throughout his life, Butch enjoyed numerous hobbies and interests. He had a love for horses and dogs. As a teenager, he could often be found riding his horse, Buttercup. He was a tennis player, a skier, a fisherman, a photographer, golfer, and duplicate bridge player. He collected fine wine and art glass. Butch and Deanie traveled often, in earlier years with their children; in later years they explored the world together.

Above all, Butch was a loving husband and devoted family man.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 62 years, Deanna; his son, Dr. Mark (Anita) Wainstein; daughters Mindy (Andrew) Sand and Melissa Wainstein (Greg Johnson); His cherished grandchildren, Mayer Jonathan Sand (CRNP), Maddie Avidor (Dr. Ofek Avidor), Alexandra Wainstein, Mathew Wainstein and Danny Wainstein; his adored great grandchild, Drew Avidor; his loving sister, Sally Tater (Alan), and his dog, Coco.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 on March 9th at Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel 1985 S Taylor Rd., Cleveland Hts. Interment Mt. Olive Cemetery. To view the service, please scroll down to the Services Section and click on “JOIN LIVESTREAM”.

The family will be sitting shiva from 3pm-7:30pm on Monday at Landerhaven, 6111 Landerhaven Dr., and on Tuesday at their home, 32150 Pine Tree Rd. from 2pm-4pm and 6pm-8pm.

Donations in Mayer’s memory, may be made to the Sarasota Orchestra, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, or the charity of your choice.