Obituary of Lester Gold

Lester Malcolm Gold, a philanthropist, well-known businessman and major behind-the-scenes consensus builder in Denver's Jewish community, passed away Feb. 28, 2011, in Denver. Rabbis Selwyn Franklin and Yaakov Meyer and Cantor Joel Lichterman officiated at the March 1 service at BMH-BJ. Interment followed at Rose Hill Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements. "Lester was a fighter until the end," his family said. "His joys in life were family, Judaism and working hard. "He was a teacher; a Jewish cowboy who loved and lived by the Talmud," they said. "Dedicated to a life of discipline and commitment, he cared most about doing the right thing." Mr. Gold was born July 15, 1922, on Denver's West Side. His father Joe was an orphan from Poland, and his mother Chana came from a religious family in Austria. He worked from the age of 12 and throughout his adolescence to help the family. His mother died when he was 13. Mr. Gold graduated West High in 1939, attended DU for one semester and entered the business world. He was 18 when he met Shirley "Cookie" Turner, who was 14. Mr. Gold entered the US Army at age 20 and told Cookie "not to consider marrying anyone else" while he was away. He was stationed in Germany from 1943-1946. The couple got engaged shortly after he returned. They were married on June 23, 1946. Read the IJN's eulogy Initially in the used car business, Mr. Gold was a banker, stockbroker, in real estate acquisitions and investments, and the oil business. Mr. Gold, who was an executive member of the Rose Hospital charity board for 30 years, was one of the founders of Shalom Park and supported it throughout his life. He was active in the Allied Jewish Federation, Beth Israel, the Industrial Bankers Society, and several other organizations. Mr. Gold is survived by his wife Cookie Gold of Greenwood Village; children Cheri Michaelson, Ricki (David) Rest and Debbi (Lee) Alpert; grandchildren Monica (Saul) Manley, Nina (Jacobo) Kassin, Brett (Casey) Perry, Brandon (Jackie) Perry, Mia Berlin, Risa (Ari) Silverman and Alissa (Matt) Joblon; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son-in-law Ken Perry. Contributions may be made to Global Down Syndrome, 3300 East First Ave., #390, Denver, CO 80206; or The Jewish Experience. Copyright © 2011 by the Intermountain Jewish News