Motty Shames, 89, co-founder of Shames-Makovsky Realty Company in Denver, passed away April 30, 2011, in Jerusalem, where he had lived with his wife Marilyn for the last 24 years.
A Hebrew proverb reads, Say not in grief he is no more, but live in thankfulness that he was. This is how the family feels about Motty.
Born Sept. 5, 1921, Mr. Shames was the seventh child of Jacob and Rose Shames. He attended Cheltenham Elementary, Lake Junior and West High Schools.
He served in the US Army, 1942-1945, and was stationed in North Africa, Italy and southern France.
Following the war, he was a partner in the S&S Trading Company with his brothers Sam and Ray.
In 1971, Mr. Shames and Evan Makovsky established the Shames-Makovsky Realty Company. Their partnership resulted in one of the leading boutique realty companies in the region.
Mr. Shames retired in 1987.
Having grown up in an Orthodox home, Mr. Shames demonstrated his love for Judaism his entire life.
He was a member of the building committee of Zera Abraham during the 1950s, and was one of the driving forces behind the establishment and expansion of EDOS.
Although he served as gabbai, Torah reader, baal tefillah, shofar blower and board member at EDOS, he never wanted to be president.
The Shames household was fiercely Zionistic. Motty and Marilyn Shames encouraged their four children to make aliyah.
In 1987, the couple made aliyah to complete the process in which they believed so strongly.
Mr. Shames is survived by his wife Marilyn Shames of Israel; children Jay (Yankie), Judy, David and Ari and their spouses, all of Israel; 20 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and sister Frieda Makovsky Englard of Denver.
Copyright © 2011 by the Intermountain Jewish News
