Paul Stein 1921-2010, 89, of Devonshire Estates in Lenox, Massachusetts, died on October 11, 2010, at Hillcrest Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Pittsfield. He was born on February 12, 1921, in New York City. The son of immigrants, Paul grew up in Brooklyn, attended Townsend Harris High School and the City College of New York, graduating in 1941. He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces from 1942 to 1946, achieving the rank of Technical Sergeant.
In 1945, while on leave, he met Judith Moskowitz of Far Rockaway, New York, whom he married later that year. They had two sons. Midway through a successful business career in New York and Cleveland, Ohio, he became dissatisfied. He returned to school, attended night classes at Case Western Reserve University, eventually earning a PhD in English Literature. Paul became a Professor of English at the State University at Geneseo where he rose to become Chair of the English Department. He was the author of critical essays on Washington Irving, James Fennimore Cooper, and Jack London. Upon his retirement, Paul and Judy moved to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where they established “A Certain Age”, a business dealing in American art glass and pottery. They were active in community and cultural activities, including as founding members of the Berkshire Institute for Lifelong Learning (now the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at BCC) and as members of Temple Anshe Amunim. Paul was devoted to his family, progressive politics, literature, music and culture, and late in life, to the Boston Red Sox.
Paul is survived by his beloved wife and life companion of almost 65 years, Judy, and his loving sons, Bill and Dan, daughters-in-law, Susan and Marie, grandchildren, Ben and wife JoAnna, Kate, Clare and Alex, and great-grandchildren, Eddie, Anabel, and Lily. He is also survived by his sisters, Peggy Sprung and Barbara Caplin. He was predeceased by his father, Alex Stein, and his mother, Rae Lehman Stein. His wit, wisdom, and warmth inspired us and will live on in his family and friends. Condolences to the family may be made at www.berkshireeagle.com
