Investor, community stalwart Al Feld, 98

Alfred Feld, who was the longest-serving employee at Goldman Sachs and had perhaps the longest streak of support for what became the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, died Nov. 25 at age 98. He lived in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Mr. Feld celebrated his 80th anniversary at Goldman Sachs earlier this year. He began as an office runner at age 18 in 1933 and was then promoted to office boy for Goldman’s five partners. In 1936 he became a research analyst covering the railroads. Twelve years later he became one of their first stockbrokers and later a private wealth manager.

Active in the Greater MetroWest community as a resident of Maplewood, Springfield, and later West Orange, he served on the boards of many organizations, including the federation, Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel of South Orange, and Green Brook Country Club in North Caldwell, where he was a member for close to 50 years.

He supported a scholarship fund at Jewish Vocational Service of MetroWest and was a member of the federation’s Lester Society. He also participated in The Mission Continues, a project that awards community service fellowships to post-9/11 veterans.

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“He was very bright and had a wonderful sense of humor,” said his daughter, Marjorie Feld. “In addition to his love of books, the theater, and sports, he loved to tell his stories, and succeeded in finding new generations to share them with in his twilight years.”

“I knew Al for close to 30 years,” said Max Kleinman, federation executive vice president/CEO. “He was such an affable gentleman. He was perhaps the longest continuous supporter of UJA at a major gifts level. He was an astute investor as a professional, but also in the Jewish community as a member of the Lester Society, supporter of JVS, and Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel.

“I will miss our special luncheons down in Florida…,” said Kleinman. “His family, decades of service at Goldman Sachs for his clients, and good deeds will be his wonderful legacy.”

Feldman was born in Jersey City and was raised in Weehawken. At 16 he graduated from Weehawken High School and entered New York University, helping to support his mother and sister. He went on to receive his MBA from NYU.

His tenure at Goldman Sachs was interrupted during World War II, when he was called into service. He entered the Army Air Corps, and spent most of his time in service in Washington, DC. He left the service as a 1st lieutenant.

Predeceased by his wife, Mildred, in 1983, he is survived by his daughter; his son, Arthur; a sister, Dorothy Fishman; two grandsons, Jason and Michael; his nephew, Joel Fishman; two nieces, Ronnie Fishman and Barbara Dash; a great-niece, Molly Fishman; and a great-nephew, Teddy Cammorata.

Memorial services were held Nov. 27. Memorial contributions may be made to The Mission Continues through Goldman Sachs.