RIP Morton Katz
509th Parachute Infantry Regiment veteran was 105
I had the honor of interviewing Morton when he was a young man of 103, talked animatedly for three hours nonstop and I had to come back for two more visits! Here is his obituary:
Morton N. Katz, 105 years and 8 months, beloved husband of Shirley (Dinerstein) Katz, formerly of Avon, passed away Monday, February 3, 2025. Born in Hartford, son of the late Abraham and Ida (Farber) Katz, he was raised in Hartford and graduated from Weaver High School, Class of 1935. He earned his BS from UCONN and MA from Iowa State then joined the US Army as a 1st Lieutenant, S-2 Intelligence Officer, serving in both the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion and the 82nd Airborne Division. Mort participated in campaigns in Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, Naples-Foggia, Anzio, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe. He received the coveted Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit, EAME Campaign Medal with 9 Battle Stars and Arrowhead, Distinguished Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Belgian Fourragere, among others. He served on active duty overseas from 1942-1946, Reserve service for 32 years retiring with the rank of Colonel in 1979. He participated in Memorial Day Observances every year right up through 2024 at the age of 105, dressed in his uniform and standing at attention when appropriate to show respect for the American Flag. He was a proud member of VFW Post 3272 in Avon the past 20 years. After his discharge from the Army at the end of WWII, he earned his Juris Doctorate from UCONN Law School and began his law practice. Morton N. Katz, Esq. advocating for those in need until he was over 103 years old. He served as a Justice of the Peace and Special Public Defender until age 100. Morton was a member and Past Master of St. John’s Lodge AF & AM and Past District Deputy Masonic District 6A and was also Past Worthy Grand Patron of the Order of Eastern Star CT. He was also a member of the Avon/ Canton Chamber of Commerce where he received the Loren Bristol Spirit Award for all his activities, bettering the Chamber and the Small Business of the Year Award. Beside his wife Shirley, he is survived by his two daughters Rachel Anne Brunke and her husband James of Kennett Square, PA and Naomi Katz Cohen and her husband Michael of NYC; grandchildren Diane and Anna Brunke and Tabitha Cohen; nephews David, Pater, and Michael Glass, Marco Katz Montiel and Marc Dinerstein. His funeral Service will be held Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 10 AM at Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford, CT. Graveside Services will begin with Military Honors at 1 PM at the CT State Veterans Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane, Middletown, CT. A meal of condolence will be served at Emanuel Synagogue followed by a period of Shiva until 6 PM at the Emanuel. Shiva will continue Thursday morning from 8:30-10:30 am at the Emanuel with a 9 am Service. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Shriners Children’s New England, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. The Carmon Funeral Home of Avon is caring for the arrangements. For directions or condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.
May his memory be a blessing.