Frederick Neusner, whose father Samuel Neusner founded the Connecticut Jewish Ledger in 1929, died in Tampa, Fla. on Wednesday, Feb. 5. He was 89.
An attorney, he spent part of his professional career in private practice, and also served as an assistant attorney general for the State of Connecticut before moving to Washington, D.C., where he served as an administrative law judge with the Department of Labor. He retired to Tampa in 1998, where he was a member of Congregation Rodeph Sholom and Congregation Schaarai Zedek.
Born in Springfield, Mass. in 1924 to Samuel and Lillian (Green) Neusner, the family soon moved to the North End and then to West Hartford in 1937. Samuel Neusner co-founded the Jewish Ledger with Rabbi Abraham Feldman z”l of Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford. While Feldman limited his role to writing editorials, Sam Neusner was charged with the day-to-day operation of the paper. He retired in 1954.
Like his father, Neusner was also committed to Jewish life.
“Fred always was in pursuit of knowledge and availed himself of every opportunity for the scholarly study of Judaism and Jewish Law,” read his obituary.
Fred Neusner was predeceased by his wife, Lillian Osiason Neusner. He is survived by his son David Neusner and his wife Linda Mariani of New London; his daughter, JoAnn Neusner of Cambridge, Mass.; and his grandchildren, Peter Neusner, Alexander Neusner, Julia Neusner and Gabriella Neusner. He is also survived by his brother, Dr. Jacob Neuser, a professor of the history and theology of Judaism at Bard College in New York, and his wife Suzanne, who live in Rhinebeck, N.Y.