Louis Yaffa

Louis Yaffa, 92, an avid poker player, played his final hand surrounded by a full house of those who loved him on February 14, 2015. Born to Anna and Morris Yaffa in Hartford on May 31, 1922, Louis entered the world ready to grab it by the horns. As tensions grew around the world, Lou enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Next to his family the Navy was something Lou took the most pride in. Wherever he went, his U.S. Navy hat was the first thing he’d put on. One of Lou’s greatest accolades in the Navy was being named King Neptunus Rex during the initiation young sailors took as they crossed the equator for the first time. While on leave he met the love of his life, his wife of sixty-seven years, Claire. Louis opened Duralum which stayed in operation for over forty years. His summers were spent on Chalker Beach and in the Catskills. He enjoyed playing poker, smoking a good cigar and watching the Celtics. Lou is survived by his adoring wife, Claire, his brother Irving, three children Glenn J. Yaffa, Deborah Y. Kotler and her husband Marc, and Marsha Y. Montmeny, and her husband Richard. He leaves behind four grandchildren, Andrew and Renée Montmeny and Jared and Elyssa Kotler. Lou was predeceased by his loving sisters Bessie, Sally, and Molly, along with his brother Charles. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, February 17, 2015 in the Chapel of the Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Ave., Hartford with Rabbi Yitzchok Adler officiating. Interment will follow in Beth David Synagogue Cemetery, 1361 Berlin Turnpike, Wethersfield. Shiva will be observed Tuesday following the interment through Wednesday at the home of his daughter, Deborah. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Foundation. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Louis, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm.