SAVANNAH, GEORGIA - Savannah Attorney, SIDNEY L. RASKIN, died Wednesday, September 28, 2011.
A lifelong Savannah resident, he was predeceased by his parents, Isaac and Hannah Raskin and his beloved wife, Anita. Mr. Raskin attended Chatham County public schools and then Benedictine where he graduated in 1933 Cum Laud; University of Georgia 1933-1938 with a Doctor of Law Degree, Cum Laude, Phi Beta Phi Society, Honorary Scholastic Award. Mr. Raskin entered the U.S. Army in 1941; graduated Army Infantry Officers School at Ft. Benning, GA.., WWII duties as Infantry Officer in the USA and the Pacific Combat Zone. He saw action in the invasion of Leyte and Okinawa and in the occupation of Korea, terminating the Japanese occupation of that country. Also served as Judge Advocate of the 7th Infantry Division, He received several commendations and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged from the Army in December of 1945, having attained the rank of Captain of Infantry.
Mr. Raskin had a varied professional and business career; a successful law practice in all phases of law. He was admitted to practice in the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Courts of the State of Georgia and the United States Federal Court. He was a real estate developer and entrepreneur in Savannah and Nashville, TN.
In addition to other organizations, Mr. Raskin served as President of the Chatham County Board of Education during some of the most trying years of transition to a racially integrated system. He was appointed by Mayor Maclean to organize and Chair the Economic Opportunity Authority in Savannah and organized the Savannah Head Start Educational Program. He served as officer and member of the Jewish Educational Alliance and was a lifelong member of B'nai Brith Jacob Synagogue, the Alee Temple and Masonic Order and was the founding member and President of City Lights Theatre which did much to enrich the cultural fabric of Savannah.
He is survived by a brother, Edwin B. Raskin, of Nashville, TN., and four children: Alex B. Raskin (Michele) of Savannah, GA., Daniel E. Raskin (Susan) of Atlanta, GA., Kenneth M. Raskin (Joanna) of Needham, MA., and Laurie Raskin Katz (Peter), also of Needham, MA., and seven grandchildren: Kathryn and Andrew Raskin, Anna and Sara Katz, Evan Raskin, and Sam and Elie Raskin.
The family would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to Ann Caudill, Mr. Raskin's secretary, for her affection and loyalty and to Shirley Bruner who devotedly cared for him in the last years of his life.
The funeral service will be held at 11 o'clock Sunday morning at the graveside, Bonaventure Cemetery, with Rabbi Avigdor Slatus officiating. The family will sit Shiva at the home of Alex and Michele Raskin. Remembrances should be made to the American Cancer Society or BB Jacob Synagogue Building Fund.