Jewish Community News

Obituaries: April 2008

Mel Cotton
Mel Cotton, a stalwart philanthropist in the Jewish community and owner of the well-known sporting goods store Mel Cotton‘s Sporting Goods, has passed away at the age of 91.  He died peacefully in his home with hospice support.
   Cotton and his late wife Dorothy came from humble beginnings.   
      They began by selling scrap metal in Oakland. When they moved to San Jose in 1955, Cotton opened his store on Race and San Carlos streets, first selling military supplies and army surplus tents. Mel Cotton’s Sporting Goods, now run by his son Stan,  has grown to be an institution in the San Jose area, and is one of the only remaining independent sporting good stores in Northern California.
     From the beginning of his career as a small-businessman, Mel Cotton gave to a variety of charities, including agencies that helped Holocaust survivors. He served on the Santa Clara County grand jury and worked as a volunteer with local employment and education programs.
     In addition to being a tremendous contributor to the San Jose community, Cotton was a tireless supporter of the Jewish community. Over the years he served as president of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley, helped found Congregation Sinai, and served in leadership roles at Temple Emanu-El and B’nai B’rith. He was also a steadfast supporter of Hadassah, Jewish Family Services, Chai House, the JCC, AIPAC and Israel.
    Understanding the importance of self-sufficiency, Cotton helped others get started in business ventures with interest-free loans through his ongoing work with the Phil Hammer Fund, established by the Federation in 1961. (This fund later became part of the Hebrew Free Loan Society.)
     Said Janet Berg, a longtime friend of the Cottons, “When an organization needed support for a project, telling Mel and Dorothy about it usually resulted in their asking,‘How much do you need?’
   Family friend Diane Cowans echoes this sentiment. “He was the most generous, good-hearted person,” said Cowans. “If you told Mel there was a problem, before you were done talking he would say, ‘what can I do?’”
     Cowans also remembers Mel and Dorothy’s generosity as friends. She recalls when she and her husband first moved to San Jose from San Francisco. Cowans was pregnant and didn’t know anybody in the area. “Dorothy called all of her friends and said we’re giving them a shower, and they did.”
    Mel Cotton also served his country in the Army during World War II, and was discharged in 1945 .
      He is survived by his sons Stan Cotton and Louis Cotton (Lita) and grandchildren Sarah and Joseph. Donations in his honor may be made to the Mel Cotton Philanthropic Fund through the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley.

Nanette Weintraub
Nanette Weintraub passed away on Saturday, February 9, in her Davis home surrounded by her family at the age of 73.       
She was born on December 23, 1934 in Washington, D.C. and grew up in Santa Barbara, California.      
     Nanette graduated from Santa Barbara High School with honors and later attended the University of California at Berkeley.  There, she met her husband-to-be, Cecil.  They were married 52 wonderful years.     
    Nanette was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother,  friend, real estate broker and humanitarian.  She was truly a wonderful person who touched many lives. 
   Nanette enjoyed traveling, playing bridge, but most of all spending time with her family.
    Nanette belonged to Temple Emanu-El for 48 years. She was Sisterhood president for two years, helped in the gift shop and was involved in many Temple committees and phases of Temple life. She was also involved in the Chai House board and in 1980 she helped create Congregation Shir Hadash. Nanette was  also involved in the Shiloh group, and  helped it find a wonderful house for disabled young adults in Campbell. In Davis she helped build a very impressive gift shop at Congregation Bet Haverim that continues to thrive.