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April 6 • 2017 83 jn soul o f b l e s s e d m e m o r y I t really must speak to the overwhelm- ing impact of a man's life when, in memorializing that life, finding new words to impart who and what he was are difficult because so many tributes over the decades have already been writ- ten. This is the case for Detroit legend Maurice "Bud" Lezell or as he will for- ever be remembered, "Mr. Belvedere," who promised good work and never went back on his word. Mr. Lezell, who had been living in Sarasota, Fla., died on March 26, 2017. "Call Tyler Eight Seven One Oh Oh." "You'll look at it; you'll love it; and you'll take your time paying for it." "We do good work." These signature lines advertising Belvedere Construction, the company Mr. Lezell started in 1948, are part of the Detroit lexicon, but being an accom- plished businessman and a television personality were only part of his life. His daughters, retired art teacher Lisa Lezell Levine of Richmond, Va., Amy Heber, an IT consultant living in Chicago, and Claudia Lezell, a flooring consultant and mediator in San Antonio, Texas, remem- ber the caring and adoring man who was their dad. A man who loved to travel and play tennis, and who took his children to Tigers baseball games. Although he worked very hard, he was always there for his family. "I have such positive memories of hav- ing fun and being a family in our duplex on Ewald Circle in Detroit," Lisa said. "My dad supported us in whatever we did. I left Detroit when I was 18 to go to college in Boston because my dad said, 'You can do anything you want.' One of the best experiences I had with my dad was during a trip to Israel. We were at the ruins of the amphitheater in Caesarea, and I sang the theme from Exodus for him. "My dad was Detroit! He was the icon and the essence of the city, and he believed in our community and in tzeda- kah. Whether it was his working to save the Michigan State Fair or appearing on TV with Danny Thomas to raise money to fight leukemia, he always knew the importance of giving back." Mr. Lezell was born in Kentucky, the son of Russian immigrants, who moved to the Detroit area when he was 3. He served in the Coast Guard during World War II as a signalman on an aircraft carri- er in the Pacific. According to Amy, those military responsibilities helped make him the man he became. "After World War II, my father told me he wanted to serve in the Israeli army, then Palestine, but he was tired of war and wanted to start his life," she said. "He fulfilled part of that dream when he dis- covered that Jacob Lezell, a grand-neph- ew from Brooklyn whom he had never met, was actively serving in the Israeli army. He was so excited that a Lezell was in the Israeli army that he sent Jacob $150 a month during his three years in the service. Later, the two met at a Lezell reunion in Boca Raton. It was a touching moment. "Dad worked very hard," Amy contin- ued. "He wasn't born 'Mr. Belvedere' — he had to get there. And getting there meant working six days a week. I remember my parents made the decision that every Wednesday and Friday night, without fail, my dad would come home for din- ner. We'd sit together in the dining room; the table was set and a special meal was planned. And we always went to the library on Fridays to get new books and return the old ones. I still love libraries, and that love of reading and learning is something I've passed on to my children." During the funeral service, Temple Israel's Rabbi Harold Loss noted Mr. Lezell's success came from his being a likeable man, who, when dealing with his customers, would speak to them like a friend. "He was a real haimish guy. People knew him, and even stopped him on the street for his autograph. He was a celebri- ty, but always took care of his family and supported his daughters," he said. An incredible marketer, an iconic pitchman and a devoted father, Mr. Lezell said about the British character for which his longtime construction business was named, this was someone who did good things for people and made them feel good. Many Detroiters will certainly not forget Mr. Lezell, nor will they forget his most memorable pitch: "You have no fear with Belvedere." Mr. Lezell is survived by loving daugh- ters and sons-in-law, Lisa Lezell Levine and David Levine, Claudia Lezell and Donald Magid, and Amy Heber; adoring grandchildren, Erica Walker, and Sharon, Jennifer and Hillary Levine, Alexandra Magid, and Andrew and Alana Heber; cherished great-grandchildren, Max and Madelyn Walker, Benjamin and Sadie Edlavitch, and Lea Golub-Sass; and dear sisters-in-law, Shirley Lezell and Shirley Lezell. He was the beloved husband of the late Hilda Lezell and the late Alice Lezell; the devoted son of the late Isaac and the late Dora Lisman Lezell; the loving brother of the late Dr. Alvin Lezell, the late Samuel Lezell and the late Hyman "Hy" Lezell; and the dear brother-in-law of the late Sophie Lezell. • He Did Good Work Lezell with his three daughters: Claudia Lezell, Liza Lezell Levine and Amy Heber. soul o f b l e s s e d m e m o r y JUDY GREENWALD CONTRIBUTING WRITER continued on page 84 DAVID ABRAMSON, 63, of Ann Arbor, died March 23, 2017. He was always interested in education and began by enrolling in Washtenaw Community College to study auto mechanics. He then went to University of Michigan, college LS&A and graduated in 1975. He went on to obtain two master's degrees, one in educational leadership and the other in interdisciplinary technology. He began a long career by teaching basic car care for consumers at Washtenaw Community College. Mr. Abramson met his wife, Ellen, and the love affair lasted for more than 32 years. A convert to Judaism, he became a pillar of the Beth Israel community. He helped found the men's club (or, as he called it, "the mentsh club") and he also organized the Organ Donors Drive. As a community organizer, Mr. Abramson became a founder of the Association of Youth Empowerment, where he was an agent for positive change for thousands of people. He also founded Bridging 23, which presents a unique opportunity for neighbors, colleagues and strangers to come together and create an atmo- sphere of community. In addition, he cre- ated Bridging 8 Mile to overcome racial divides. Dedicated to tikun olam, David worked tirelessly to heal divisions and foster meaningful conversations on topics that are unavailable in most places of our fractured and polarized society. Mr. Abramson is survived by his wife of 32 years, Ellen Abramson; children, Sarah and Rabbi Mendy Rimler, Mara Abramson, and Lorna and Joe Servetter; grandchildren, Chayala Rimler, Eli Rimler and Joshua Derby; sisters and broth- ers, Ruth Logan, Jonna McCoon, John McCoon, Darlene Miller, Paula Miller, Elsie Grammer; a world of special friends he deeply loved. He was the dear brother of the late Ronald McCoon and the late Don Hopkins. Interment was at Arborcrest Cemetery. Contributions may be made to David Abramson Fund Association for Youth Empowerment, c/o Roderic Scott, 16615 Five Points St., Redford, MI 48240; or Chabad at Arizona State University, 971 S. Ash Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281, www. jewishasu.com/donate (enter David Abramson Fund in the comments box). Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. Barish BENJAMIN J. BARISH, 91, of Farmington Hills and Israel, died March16, 2017. He was a very well- respected patent attor- ney in Israel and the United States. Mr. Barish was considered by all to be a mentsh and was always willing to help people. He was a kind, generous person, who was loved and respected by all. Mr. Barish is survived by his wife, Bruria; son and daughter-in-law, Dan and Mary Barish; grandchildren, Natali and Gabriel; brothers, Jack (Harriet), Sidney (Rita); many loving nieces and nephews. He was the brother of late Herbert Barish and the late Sylvia (Sol) Smith. The funeral was held in Israel with shi- vah at his home in Tel Aviv. Bernard HELMUT BERNARD, 82, of Farmington Hills, died March 29, 2017. He is survived by his beloved wife, Etta Bernard; sons and daughters-in- law, Michael (Robin) Bernard and David (Mechelle) Bernard; grandchildren, Alexa, Kaela, Carly, Jace, Becky and Naomi; brother and sister- in-law, Henri (Anaruth) Bernard; many loving nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Mr. Bernard was the brother of the late Leo Bernard and the late Jerry Bernard. Interment took place at Beth El Memorial Park Cemetery in Livonia. Contributions may be made to ORT or Yad Ezra. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.