I heard just before Shabbos that Edward Paster was no longer with us. I did not know him personally, but those close to me were among those closest to him. And even though I did not know him, I knew of him, and what he meant and still means to our local Jewish community.
The following is a statement issued Saturday night by Steve Hunegs, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC), in response to the passing of Edward Paster, z”l.
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From Steve Hunegs:
“President Harry Truman once commented that he slept better knowing that his Secretary of State and former Chief of Staff George Marshall was in the country and not abroad on a diplomatic or military mission.
To me and much of our community leadership, we had the same sense of Ed Paster. It wasn’t so much that he might be outside the United States, but that he was always supportive and at your side when you needed assistance at a critical time. There were few people who “had your back” like Ed. This didn’t mean you were above constructive critique in the eyes of Ed which was always provided with great respect and effectiveness. It also didn’t mean you were above the questions which Ed loved to ask and made you unpack your assumptions for analysis. Ed was a teacher and a life coach among his many distinctions in life.
As a devoted son, husband and father shouldering responsibility for a business as well as many communal endeavors, Ed was a patriarch for many as he juggled so much in his life. As an “Abba” to the community, he conjures up images of an Abba Kovner or an Abba Eban. In another place and time he may have been a poet and partisan with his love of the arts and the Jewish people or a statesman with his love of public speaking and his knack for leadership whether it was developing shopping centers or philanthropic possibilities. To see Ed walk into a room with a smile and hug for everyone was to see a man who loved people and commanded respect. Through it all, Ed would credit Jacki, his family, his employees and his community for his success.
Ed’s love and support found you when it was most needed. Davening Shacharit, he kept a list of people for whom he said MiSheberach every day. Ed’s heart overflowed with love, compassion, respect and generosity for everyone around him. A person or community could not have a better friend than Ed Paster which includes this agency for which he did so much and myself and all of the personal support he provided.
The board and staff of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas deeply mourns the loss of Ed Paster and extends its sympathy to Jacki, Howard and Nicole and the entire extended Paster family. May his memory be for a blessing.”
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To view Edward Paster’s funeral notice on the Hodroff-Epstein website, please click here.
(Photo: DuEn.1)
The wide and diverse crowd at his funeral today is perhaps the most obvious testament as to how many people were touched by Edward’s warmth, generosity and love.
He will be sorely missed.
May his memory be for a blessing.
The following is the statement issued today by the UJFC on the passing of Edward Paster:
The United Jewish Fund and Council mourns Edward Paster
The United Jewish Fund and Council of St. Paul (UJFC) mourns the passing of Edward Paster, a friend and leading philanthropist to Jewish causes. He passed away at the age of 70 on January 20, 2012. Owner of Paster Enterprises LLC, a development and management firm specializing in retail shopping centers, Edward was nationally respected as a real estate expert within the shopping center industry. He lectured for the ICSC, an international real estate trade group, and mentored many young men and women at the beginning of their careers.
Throughout his lifetime, Edward was actively involved in and contributed generously to many Jewish community agencies and organizations including the UJFC, the Jewish Community Relations Council and Sholom. He was also active in many civic organizations including the Ronald McDonald House. “Edward embodied what it means to be a mensch,” said Jon Parritz, UJFC President. “He freely gave his time and energy to many causes to help people in need and to strengthen Jewish life. His positive attitude and generous spirit inspired all those around him to do their best. He had a warm and ready smile, and was always there for those who needed him. He will be sorely missed.”
Edward is survived by his wife of 44 years, Jacqueline, son Howard and wife Amy, daughter Nicole and husband Steve Putzel, mother Celia, brother Donald and wife Rochel, brother Arnold and wife Esther, and seven grandchildren Luke, Jake, Mitchell, Natalie, Ethan, Danny and Drew. May his memory be for a blessing.
Edward Paster was the real deal, one of the great Jewish figures of our Twin Cities community. My colleagues at JCRC and the UJFC have said it eloquently and we at the Minneapolis Jewish Federation share their sentiments.
Edward’s life work in the Jewish community, in civic organizations and in business will live on and continue his legacy of good deeds and fair dealing. Most of all, Edward was a beloved and devoted son, husband, father and grandfather. May his memory be for a blessing.