Dr. Isadore B. Temkin

Dr. Isadore Benjerman Temkin, a lifelong resident of Torrington, died Thursday, April 9 ^th at the age of 94. Dr. Temkin graduated from Torrington High School in 1937 and attended the University of Connecticut for two years before going to Emory University Dental School in Atlanta. He was a dental intern at Grady Hospital in Atlanta and was inducted into the Army in September 1943.

Dr. Is married Zena Harris on August 28, 1943, and together they spent most of World War II at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In January of 1947 Dr. Temkin was discharged from the service and moved home to Torrington, Connecticut, where he opened a dental practice with his brother and best friend Abe. He stayed in practice for sixty-six years, supported by a faithful staff led by Carol Ann Stentiford.

Dr. Temkin worked with Carl Bozenski to establish Christmas Village and was Commissioner of the Parks and Recreation Department in the 1960s. He was appointed interim Director of Parks and Rec in 1980. He insisted that Torrington decorate itself for Christmas and enlisted volunteers from the power company under the direction of Frank Pennington. He was a partner in the T & M Building Company with his brother Abe.

Dr. Is was a huge supporter of the arts in Torrington and encouraged and supported Sharon Dante in her quest to create an internationally known ballet company, The Nutmeg Ballet. He was one of the earliest supporters of women’s rights, which manifested in great support for his wife Zena, who was a State Representative from 1958 to 1962 and subsequently moved from the front room to the back room to organize political campaigns for Governors and U.S. Senators, including Ella Grasso, Abe Ribicoff and Chris Dodd.

In 1996 the Temkins established the I.B. and Zena H. Temkin Foundation to help Torrington people in need. Dr. Temkin was active in Torrington community affairs throughout the years. He was a member of the Coe Park Committee and was a tireless advocate for the beautification of Coe Park. He established a children’s dental clinic at the Brooker Memorial in memory of his brother Abraham Temkin and founded the community radio station WAPJ.

Dr. Temkin is survived by his beloved wife Zena Harris Temkin, his three children…Alan Temkin, Nan Temkin Dudley and her husband Bobby Dudley, Bruce Temkin and his wife Linda Temkin and their son Clark, granddaughter Blossom Dudley Crawford and her husband Adam and great grandchildren Augustus and Sabine Crawford. He is also survived by his many nieces and nephews and their children.

In lieu of flowers and food, memorial contributions may be made to the I.B. and Zena H. Temkin Foundation (43 Partridge Lane, Burlington, CT 06013) or the charity of your choice. Shiva will be observed Sunday through Tuesday from 7-9 pm at 24 Torringford West Street in Torrington. The funeral will be held Sunday, April 12 ^th at 1:30 at The Nancy Marine Studio at the Warner Theatre, 84 Main Street in Torrington with burial to follow at the Sons of Jacob Cemetery, 1700 Winsted Road in Torrington.

Condolences may be sent to the Temkin family by visiting www.cookfuneralhomect.com