Stuart
Dolnick
Please click here to view the services held for Stuart Dolnick
FUNERAL SERVICE
11:00 am
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
at
Heritage Funeral Home – Suminski / Weiss Chapel
1901 N. Farwell Avenue – Milwaukee, WI 53202
Burial to follow at Spring Hill Cemetery
SHIVA
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Following the burial until 5:00 PM & 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM
A minyan service will be held immediately upon arrival from the cemetery.
Please call the Funeral Home (414-321-7440) for more information.
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
1:00 PM until 5:00 PM & 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM
Memorials to the charity of your choice are preferred in lieu of flowers.
Stuart Dolnick
Of Milwaukee, WI. Recent resident of Middleton, WI and Lafayette, CO. Passed away April 27, 2025, age 77. Preceded in death by his wife Judith Dolnick. Partner of Norma Singer Portnoy. Beloved father of Mindy Dolnick and Rachel Dolnick (Chad Amini). Loving grandfather of Maxine Amini. Son of the late Seymour “Sy” and the late Eve “Bunny” Dolnick and son-in-law of the late Max and the late Mitzi Flom. Loving brother of Debbie (Dick) Alpert and Jed (Ellen) Dolnick. Proud Uncle of Eron Laber, Hannah Sattler, Mara (Matt) Kleiman, Ben (Erin) Dolnick, David Dolnick (Samantha Sumait). Further survived by other relatives and many dear friends.
The family wishes to express its deepest thanks to Dr. Bhatia, Dr. Howard, and Scott Vandenberg of UW Hospital; to Dr. Demak and his care team in Colorado; to Dr. Eunji Yim in the Neuro Oncology unit at Froedert Hospital; to the Novocure scientists and instructors for his Optune device to inhibit tumor growth; to Stu’s devoted aid, Irene Romilo; and to the staff at the Jewish Home of Milwaukee for their kindness, attentiveness, and care during his final months.
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Stu graduated from Nicolet High School in 1966, graduated with a degree in Psychology from the University of Chicago, and earned his teaching certificate at UWM. In 1977, he went on a singles trip to Israel where he met Judy. He and Judy were married for 39 years.
Stu spent the majority of his career as a software engineer, filling his free time with hobbies like biking, photography, spending time with family, and volunteer work. He was thankful for friends in Milwaukee (Congregation Beth Israel), in Appleton (Moses Montefiore Congregation), Humanistic Jews of Madison, Madison Blues Society, and in Boulder, Colorado (Congregation Beth Ami, Jewish Family Services, JCC). Those who knew him will remember his sense of humor, love of puns, his generosity, gratitude, and compassion.
Funeral Services at Heritage Funeral Homes – Suminski/Weiss Chapel, 1901 N. Farwell Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53202 at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday April 29, 2025. Interment to follow at Spring Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
Stuart was in Colorado for a relatively short time, but him impact was felt by many. He will be sorely missed. My condolences to his family and Norma Singer Portnoy.
Dear Norma,
Numerous years ago, it was so delightful to get to know you and Stu as a couple, especially considering you two had been acquainted so many years prior to reconnecting. He was so happy to be with you here in Colorado.
Your knowledge and experience with directing medical decisions was invaluable to Stu. Colorado family and friends were extremely impressed and inspired with your dedication and devotion to caring for Stu and giving him the best possible quality of life.
You are the best.
Love,
Stacey, John, Sophie and Matt, and Jeremy
What a brave fighter in a very difficult battle. Thanks for putting so many smiles on Norma’s face. Your life was important. You made a very positive difference. to many people.
While Stu only lived in Colorado a short time his presence was large. He was a willing volunteer for so many events and positions. As a board member of Beth Ami – Colorado Congregation for Humanistic Judaism his contributions were wide ranging and valuable. I thoroughly enjoyed the Jewish film discussion groups he moderated and always enjoyed his vivacious sense of humor. He was a good friend and I will miss him dearly.
My condolences are directed to all the lives that Stu touched. But they are particularly focused on Norma. We all will miss him.
I volunteered on several committees Stu was on: Jewish Community Center ACE Committee, the Beth Ami Board, and the committee to help an Afghan family successfully relocate in Lafayette, CO. His passionate concern for the well-being of others shined in every discussion we had. He asked important questions, listened to needs/problems, and took action to resolve them. He was a mench in every sense of the word. He lived a life of courage that is an inspiration to me. I will miss him very much as will so many others.
We met Stu and Judy many years ago at Israeli folk dancing. We would lse them occasionally when they walked their dog past our house in Whitefish Bay, WI. We lost touch a bit when they moved to Appleton, WI but got reacquainted when Stu moved to Madison to be near his girls. We would visit occasionally when he came to Milwaukee. Knowing him is truly a pleasure. May his memory be for a blessing.
I too danced with Stu and Judy …wonderful people who I liked very much. Mary Schroeder
Stu was a hair client when he lived in Appleton (as well as Judy, before her passing). What a wonderful human, he had such an endearing sense of humor and was so devoted to all of his loved ones. He will be missed in this world, my sympathy to his family and partner.
We knew Stu in Colorado and immediately felt the warmth and friendship of Norma and Stu. We will miss Stu and thankful to continue our friendship with Norma Portnoy. May his memory be for a blessing. Warmly, Barbara and Roy Feifer.
Stu was a friend to Jewish Family Services for many years. Date: July 10, 2000
He was the recipient of the Elizabeth A. Friedman Volunteer Award in 2020, recognizing his years of volunteer participation at Jewish Family Services. For ten-plus years, Stu worked as a Case Aide with one of Jewish Family Services’ seriously mentally ill clients. Their ongoing friendship included weekly dinner outings where they talked about current events, politics, religion, and typical day-to-day happenings that regular friends share. Every few weeks they also attend Shabbat services. According to the client’s caseworker, Stu became an integral part of the client’s family, respected and loved. This relationship also enhanced treatment.
Beyond Jewish Family Services, Stu Dolnick served Congregation Beth Israel, The B’nai B’rith Institute of Judaism, the Channel 10 Auction, and more. He actively and enthusiastically shared his creative ideas with the Volunteer Services Department at JFS, demonstrating his part and his vision in how to make this world a better place for all.
Rachel and Mindy. I spend half a year in Florida so unfortunately I could not attend the funeral in person. As you know your Dad and I were friends since 7th grade. We had the kind of friendship that although we didn’t see each other often. When we did get together our conversation took off as if we had spoken the day before. In high school we triple dated most weekends. I will sorely miss him .I thought you two spoke beautifully and really showed us who your Dad was. He will always be there to guide you. Please heal and I know you will keep your dad close to your heart.
Thinking of you.
Marc Caine
Stuart’s passing is a tremendous loss for all who knew him. May his memory be for a blessing for Debbie, Jed and the family..
Norma Braude (Chicago, IL) and Jeffrey Braude (Albany, NY)
I remember Stu as a fun person at Bethami, and again when I ran into him in the machine massage room at Planet Fitness, Lafayette. To reiterate, he will be missed.