The Early Shecter Family

The Shecter Family was originally from Mogilev-Podolsky, Russia, but is now in Ukraine. Rubin Shecter is the only known family member from the initial Shecter Family. He was born on February 15, 1874, in Brichon, Russia, now in Moldova. He is the son of Jacob Joseph “Yaakov Yosef” and Sarah “Sura”. Rubin married Hadassah “Dassa” Milman in Mogilev-Podolsky, Russia. Hadassah was born around 1876 in Vinnitsa, Russia, now in Ukraine. She is the daughter of Abraham Samuel “Avram Shmuel” and Sarah “Sura” Gerber. The Shecter and Milman Families are Jewish. In April 1906, they immigrated to Baltimore, Maryland, before heading for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rubin and Hadassah had nine children together, 6 of whom were born in Russia: two infants, Abraham Samuel, Sandra, Cecelia, Benjamin, Rebecca, Leon, and Henry.

Their two infants were born in Russia and died as children. The story about these two infants is that they fell into a chocolate vat at their uncle’s candy factory. No other information is known at this time.

Abraham Samuel Shecter was born on June 14, 1896, in Mogilev-Podolsky, Russia (Ukraine). His Yiddish name was Avram Shmuel Shecter, and when he arrived in the United States, he usually went by the name Abe Samuel or Samuel. He immigrated to the United States with his family. On May 21, 1918, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, it was announced that Abraham Samuel was engaged to Minnie Pollow, and they were supposed to be married in September. They were married on May 25, 1918, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Minnie Pollow, daughter of Abraham and Ida Pollow, was born in Dubova, Russia (Ukraine) on July 3, 1898. Samuel and Minnie had two sons: Milton Herbet and Sydney Shecter. Samuel was a pawnbroker just like his father, Rubin. However, it was not your typical pawnbroker. Samuel was arrested twice for trying to swindle millions of dollars. The pawnshop was a cover for his and his family’s massive scheme. Abraham Samuel was a part of the Russian Mob operating in the United States. To save his father from serving prison time, Samuel assumed all responsibilities for the gang of swindlers. He spent two years in county prison. After his time in prison, Samuel turned his life around and opened an actual pawnshop called Uncle Sam’s Money Loan in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He opened his business in 1942. Samuel worked with his wife and kids until he became ill in 1978. On February 22, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Abraham Samuel Shecter passed away. He was buried in Roosevelt Memorial Cemetery in Trevose, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. His wife, Minnie, died in October 1985 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Sandra Shecter was born on February 1, 1899, in Novoselitsa, Chernivtsi, Russia (Ukraine). Her Yiddish name is Sura, but she went by Sarah or Sandra after immigrating. On October 22, 1917, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sandra Shecter married Joseph Miller, also known as Joseph Melefsky in Russia. Joseph Melefsky, son of Barney and Esther Melefsky, was born on July 28, 1892, in Gorodishche, Russia (Ukraine). They had one child together: Ruth Patricia Miller. After Sandra and Joseph got married, they lived with her parents in their home on Cumberland Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for 13 years. Her daughter, Patricia, adopted two children: Toni and Adam. Sandra also helped raise the young children. 

Cecelia Shecter was born in Kyiv, Russia (now Ukraine), on April 9, 1902. Her Yiddish name was Tzvia, and she also went by Celia. On June 25, 1925, Cecelia Shecter married Benjamin Cohen in Manhattan, New York. Benjamin Cohen, son of Louis and Lena Cohen, was born on March 2, 1894, in Minsk, Russia (Belarus). They had one daughter: Thelma Cohen. Between 1930 and 1935, Cecelia and Benjamin separated and divorced. Benjamin married Gertrude Tokarsky in 1936 in Rochester, New York. Cecelia and her daughter Thelma went on to become models, founded charities, and also appeared in some old movies. Cecelia ended up changing her surname to Ray. She and her daughter moved to Palm Beach, Florida, where they spent the rest of their lives. Cecelia died on July 5, 1996, in Palm Beach, Florida. Her ex-husband, Benjamin, died in Rochester, New York, on May 13, 1959. Cecelia was buried in Sharon Memorial Park in Sharon, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. 

Benjamin Shecter was the last child born in Russia. He was born on October 2, 1905, and went by the Yiddish name Berel. Between 1930 and 1933, Benjamin Shecter married Margaret Porter, a Catholic woman. Margaret Elizabeth Porter, daughter of James and Mary Porter, was born on January 1, 1902, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They had one child together, Robert Shecter, and Margaret had one daughter from her previous marriage, Dorothy Mills. Before they were married, in 1930, Benjamin lived with Margaret and her family on South 67th Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. However, Benjamin’s life was filled with scandals. In 1926, Benjamin, his father, and his older brother were arrested for trying to swindle $ 1 million. Even though his father and brother did time, the charges were dropped against him. This did not deter him, though. He tried to swindle millions of dollars for almost a decade but was always caught. It wasn’t until April 7, 1939, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that he was sentenced to four months for fraud.  He died on February 27, 1979, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was buried at King David Memorial Park. His wife, Margaret, died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,  on December 1, 1981. Because Margaret was Catholic, she was buried in a different cemetery called Sunset Memorial Park. 

Rebecca Shecter was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 7, 1907. She also went by Rae for the rest of her life. Rae lived with her parents for most of her life. Around mid-1930, Rebecca decided to leave the family. Her father and younger brother hired a private investigator to find her, but failed. She later called her parents’ home, but her older sister Sandra answered. They fought, causing Rae to cut all contact with her family. She met John Veneski in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, around the mid-1930s, then moved to West Chester, Pennsylvania, with him. John Veneski, the son of Marcelinas and Anna Ivanauskas, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 17, 1909. They had three children: Ronald Sherman, Barbara, and John Michael Venit. Between the time John and Rae met and when they had their first child, Ronald, they changed their surname from Veneski to Venit. They ended up moving back to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, around the 1940s and lived a few blocks from John’s mother. As they got older, Rae and John moved in with their daughter, Barbara, until John’s death. John died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 2, 1968. After his death, Rae moved to live with her son, John, and his wife, Winifred, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She found a job working in a pawnshop. She sadly passed away on May 20, 1981, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rae was buried alongside John at Saint Peter & Paul Cemetery in Springfield, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

Leon Shecter was born around 1912 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He and his brother Benjamin participated in the 1932 swindle. After five years as a fugitive, Leon was held on a $3000 bail in Federal Court. After his run-in with the law, he soon settled down and married. On November 23, 1941, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Leon Shecter married Claire Glick. Claire Glick was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 31, 1911. Leon and Claire had three children: Sonia “Judy”, Jules, and Sharon Rae Shecter. Leon and Claire moved to Boca Raton, Florida, around the late 1970s. Claire died on July 28, 1999, in Florida, USA. Three years later, on July 22, 2002, Leon Shecter died in Florida, USA. They were buried in Roosevelt Memorial Park in Trevose, Pennsylvania. 

Henry Shecter was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 6, 1915. He lived with his parents for most of his life. On October 16, 1940, Henry registered for the draft. He ended up entering the war and became a soldier in the army. He served 23 months overseas. After the war, just like many other soldiers, Henry struggled to reacclimate to society. He lived with his parents for the longest time and was never married. It wasn’t until a fight with his older sister, Sandra, that drove him away. He stayed with his brother, Leon, and his family for a little while until he ran away. His brother Leon received a call one day and found out Henry was in the psychiatric ward of Jefferson Einstein Hospital, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Henry died on January 29, 1994, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

The Shecter Family lived a life of crime and drama, but it was also filled with joy, family, passion for religion, and the desire to help others. Rubin Shecter died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 30, 1948. His wife, Dora, lived eight years without her husband. She died on October 22, 1956, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They were buried together in Mount Sharon Cemetery in Springfield, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.