Obituary of Dr. Michael Blumenthal

WATERBURY - Dr. Michael Blumenthal, who taught history at UCONN Waterbury for fifty years, died June 30, 2017 at Abbott Terrace, under hospice care. He was born May 7, 1939 in New York City, the son of the late Herman and Clara (Michaels) Blumenthal.

He received his B.A. from City College of New York and his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. He began teaching at the UCONN branch in 1965 and remained on the staff for fifty years.

He was active in Republican politics and served as city treasurer. He was president of both B'nai Shalom Synagogue and the Jewish Federation of Western Connecticut. He was a long time member and president of the Kiwanis Club and served on the board of directors at the Ridge Wood Apartments.

His hobbies included a love of reading, collecting antiques, listening to opera music and the cardiac rehab program at Waterbury Hospital.

He is survived by his twin sister, Dr. Carol Ochs and her husband, Dr. Michael Ochs; his sister, Dr. Sherry Autor and her husband, Dr. Sandy Autor; and several nieces and nephews. 

His graveside service, conducted by Rabbi Yosef Sonnenschein, will be held at the Hebrew Benefit Cemetery, 45 Stillson Road, Sunday, July 2, 2017 at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Silas Bronson Library, B'nai Shalom Synagogue, the Jewish Federation, or the Kiwanis Club.

After the burial, a reception will be held in the social hall of B'nai Shalom Synagogue, 135 Roseland Ave. in Waterbury. Messages of condolence can be sent to Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Waterbury at www.fordfh.com.