Obituary
Gershon Yaakov ben Aryeh Leib HaLevi
Gary Elkins, 67, beloved husband of Abby Frankel Elkins for 42 years; loving father of Molly (Rabbi Aaron) Katz, Franci (Michael) Kind, Jeremy (Hillary) Elkins, and Adam (Rivki) Elkins; adoring and proud Zayde of Rivka, Batsheva, Levi, Dovid, and Aliza Katz, Isaac, Nathan, and Asher Kind, Maya and Audrey Elkins and Chana Elkins: devoted son of Richard (Sandi) Elkins and the late Francine Elkins; caring brother of Penny Lamm and dear step-brother of Jimmy (Jeri) Goldsher and the late Stephen Goldsher; treasured brother-in-law of Michal (Dr. Ed) Rosenthal, Josh Frankel, and Diane (Steven) Kornick; dear uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend to many.
Funeral service Friday 10:00 AM at Moriah Congregation, 200 Taub Drive, Deerfield. Interment Shalom Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Solomon Schechter Day School of Metropolitan Chicago, www.schechter.org, Ida Crown Jewish Academy, www.icja.org, Moriah Congregation, www.moriahcong.org and Les Turner ALS Foundation, www.lesturnerals.org/.
Service Information
Service : Friday, March 24th at 10:00 am
Service Location: Synagogue Service -Moriah Congregation
Interment:
Shalom Memorial Park
1700 W. Rand Road
Arlington Heights
Guest Book & Memories
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March 24th, 2023
From the time I supported Gary’s bid for VP of student council our sophomore years at Niles East we have been best buds. I loved his competitive spirit, and did not mind that he ALWAYS beat me in ping pong. WHen my mom and I took him golfing that spirit was very present. WHen Gary got involved with AFS he arranged for us to take in an exchange student from Switzerland who was unhappy with his initial placement and so Chris Riess became part of our lives. He would speak in Swiss German and my grandfather would respond in Yiddish. WHen we were 2 single guys we went to one of those awful singles events. I was so happy to see a familiar face from UW Madison, Abby Frankel . “Gary this is Abby, Abby this is Gary.” I had to wait a few more years but Gary was hooked. Love at first sight. They became the power couple extrordinaire. When I moved to New York and I mentioned I was from Chicago it was always “DO you know Gary Elkins and his wife Abby? We love them we went to Israel with them, Gary raised record amounts of money for Federation. WHen Gary called me to ask about any new treatments for slurred speech I had him get on the next palne and along with my partners made the unfortunate diagnosis of ALS. His courage and that competitive spirit kept him going longer than any other patient I have seen with this condition. Cynthia and I will always cherish our memories together with Gary Abby and their beutiful family. I would be ther today if I were not on call. We love you all. Noah and CYnthia Gilson
~Noah and Cynthia Gilson
~Lifelong friend and best man, WEST LONG BRANCH
March 22nd, 2023
Dear Abby and family,
My condolences to you.
May his memory be for a blessing.
Gloria Taussig
~Gloria Taussig
~Friend, Highland pk,il
Guest Book and Memories
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