Peter Roy Helfet (1952 - 2017)

Peter Roy Helfet is my 2nd cousin 1x removed. Helfet family HERE 

Parents: Herzl Theodore Helfet (1920 - 2002) and Celia Sarah Polen (1920 - 2007)

Born: 11 July 1952 in Cape Town, South Africa

Peter Helfet

Education: Masters Degree, Natural Sciences with First Class Honours at the University of Cambridge 1971 - 1974

Married: 

• Jennifer Lee Sank in (July - September) 1981 in Weybridge, Surrey England. Peter was 29 and Jennifer 31. They were divorced in London, England in December 2003
• Marianne Marquis on 13 July 2014 in Annapolis, Maryland, USA

Children

• Gemma Ruth Helfet 1983 -
• Alexander James Helfet 1987

Work

Peter's work experience as described by him on his Linkedin page

Patents

Peter had several patents granted in the USA, UK and Belgium. Here are two of them

International Patents, 1890-2020

Inventor: Peter Roy Helfet

Residence Place: London Nw4 1sd, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Patent Date: 11 Nov 1983

Patent Country: European Patent Office

Publication Date: 19 Jun 1985

Publication Number: EP0145279A2

Patent Description: Optical data storage

Original Application:

https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/6d/cb/99/396d040d3d77df/EP0145279A2.pdf

Abstract: A method of optical data storage is disclosed which comprises encoding data into a code of order M, where M is an integer of 3 or greater, and writing the encoded data onto a receptive optical data storage medium using a laser system capable of generating (M-1) distinguishable pits in the surface of the receptive optical data storage medium. With such a method, the resultant data storage medium contains M different states, these being the lands together with the (M-1) pit states. The invention may be practiced using a plurality of lasers in order to generate the (M-1) pit states; alternatively, a single adjustable laser may be employed, e.g. one in which the intensity and/or wavelength and/or polarisation state of the laser beam may be modulated.

Real-time Fourier transforming transducer and applications thereof

Death

26 July 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA at age 65. He died of myelofibrosis, a rare blood cancer and his ashes are buried in Craufurdland Woodland Cemetery near Fenwick, Ayrshire, Scotland

Residences

Peter grew up at 8 Kingsway, Pinelands, Cape Town, South Africa

In Maryland Peter lived at 1619 Coolidge Avenue, Severn, Maryland, USA

Celia Sarah Polen (1920 - 2007)

Celia Sarah Polen is the wife of Herzl Theodore Helfet, known as Theo, my maternal 1st cousin 2x removed. Helfet family HERE. 

Parents: Isaac Joseph Polen (Polonetsky) (1895 - 1966) and Rose Israel (1894 - 1988)

Born: 19 August 1920, in Johannesburg, South Africa

Hebrew name: Sarah daughter of Yitzchak Yisrael

Married: Herzl Theo Helfet on 22 September 1943 in Cape Town, South Africa. Herzl and Celia were both age 23

Marriage certificate for Herzl and Celia

Children

Their first child was born in 1949 when Herzl was 29 and Celia 28. Their last child was born in 1952 when Herzl was 32 and Celia 31

• Jonathan Leon Helfet 1949 -
• Peter Roy Helfet 1952 - 2017

Cape Town, 27 February 1954, Left to right: Marcus Levin, Herzl and Celia Helfet, Zella Levin, Cynthia and Cyril Helfet and their children Barbara and Leon

The Helfet siblings and their spouses in Cape Town on 23 January 1960 

Back row: Cyril Helfet, Edna Helfet (Nee Landsman), Arnold Helfet, Herzl Helfet, Celia Helfet (Nee Polen), Arthur Helfet

Front row Girlie Meyers (Nee Helfet), Cynthia Helfet (Nee Bernstein), Nathalie Helfet (Nee Freedman) 

Correspondence

A letter from Celia to my mom dated 13 July 1955 congratulating my parents on their engagement

A letter from Celia to my mom dated 11 October 1956 

A postcard from Celia to my grandparents posted Cape Town, 15 October 1969

Death

15 March 2007 in Leeds, England age 86 and is buried in the Sinai Cemetery there, Section U9, Row M, PLot 1701

Tombstone for Theodore and Celia

HELFET

IN LOVING MEMORY OF HERZL THEODORE

ר הרצל מיאורוד בן ר' יהודה ליב

1920 - 2002

AND 

CELIA SARAH

האשה שרה בת ר' יצחק ישראל

1920-2007

ALWAYS MISSED BY THEIR SONS JON AND PETER FAMILY AND FRIENDS

תנצבת

Hebrew translation: "[abbreviation] Here is buried/ Mr. Hertzel Teodor son of Mr. Yehudah Leib/ the woman Sarah daughter of Mr. Yitzchak Yisrael/ [abbreviation] May his/her soul be bound in the bond of life."

Residence

In 1955 the family were living at 8 Kingsway, Pinelands, Cape Town, South Africa

Herzl Theodore Helfet (1920 - 2002)

Herzl Theodore Helfet, known as Theo, is my maternal 1st cousin 2x removed. Helfet family HERE. When the family migrated to England he anglicised his name from Herzl to Theodore

Parents: Leon Helfet (1877 - 1945) and Sarah Ann Levin (1880 - 1953)

Tombstones for his parents Leon Helfet and Sarah Ann Levin. They are both buried in the Pinelands no 1 Jewish Cemetery in Cape Town, South Africa

Born: 29 January 1920, in Cape Town, South Africa

Hebrew name: Hertzel Teodor son of Yehudah Leib

Occupation: Engineer and in Leeds, England worked for Marks and Spencer in textiles

Married: Celia Sarah Polen on 22 September 1943 in Cape Town, South Africa. Herzl and Celia were both age 23

Marriage certificate for Herzl and Celia

Children

Their first child was born in 1949 when Herzl was 29 and Celia 28. Their last child was born in 1952 when Herzl was 32 and Celia 31

• Jonathan Leon Helfet 1949 -
• Peter Roy Helfet 1952 - 2017

Back row: Cyril Helfet, Arthur Helfet. Front row. Herzl Helfet, Sara Helfet, Arnold Helfet. Herzl was an Air Force Sergeant

Cape Town, 27 February 1954, Left to right: Marcus Levin, Herzl and Celia Helfet, Zella Levin, Cynthia and Cyril Helfet and their children Barbara and Leon

Herzl with his siblings and their spouses in Cape Town on 23 January 1960 

Back row: Cyril Helfet, Edna Helfet (Nee Landsman), Arnold Helfet, Herzl Helfet, Celia Helfet (Nee Polen), Arthur Helfet

Front row Girlie Meyers (Nee Helfet), Cynthia Helfet (Nee Bernstein), Nathalie Helfet (Nee Freedman) 

Biographical details

Theodore Herzl, born in 1920, took his B.Sc. Eng. at the U.C.T. as an instructor in the S.A. Airforce during the last war. Was Production Manager of a large group of S. A. Clothing Manufacturers until 1961, when he and his wife and 2 sons emigrated to England. He is in the clothing industry living in Leeds.  (Written by his brother Arthur Helfet)

Death

13 November 2002 in Leeds, England age 82 and is buried in the Sinai Cemetery there, Section U9, Row M, PLot 1700

Tombstone for Theodore and Celia

HELFET

IN LOVING MEMORY OF HERZL THEODORE

ר הרצל מיאורוד בן ר' יהודה ליב

1920 - 2002

AND 

CELIA SARAH

האשה שרה בת ר' יצחק ישראל

1920-2007

ALWAYS MISSED BY THEIR SONS JON AND PETER FAMILY AND FRIENDS

תנצבת

Hebrew translation: "[abbreviation] Here is buried/ Mr. Hertzel Teodor son of Mr. Yehudah Leib/ the woman Sarah daughter of Mr. Yitzchak Yisrael/ [abbreviation] May his/her soul be bound in the bond of life."

Residences

In Calvinia Herzl and his family lived at Carmel Villa in 19 Pastorie Street, which his father Leon had built. It is now a bed and breakfast establishment

In 1955 the family were living at 8 Kingsway, Pinelands, Cape Town, South Africa

Miriam Pearl Helfet (1915 - 1923)

Miriam Pearl Helfet is my 1st cousin 2x removed. Known as Pearl or Pearlie. Helfet family HERE

Parents: Leon Helfet (1877 - 1945) and Sarah Ann Levin (1880 - 1953)

Tombstones for her parents Leon Helfet and Sarah Ann Levin. They are both buried in the Pinelands no 1 Jewish Cemetery in Cape Town, South Africa

Born: December 1915 in Calvinia, South Africa

Death

6 August 1923 (24 Av 5683) in Calvinia, South Africa at age 7 years and 9 months, from diptheria. Some documents give her date as death as 5th August but I have gone with the date given on her tombstone. She is buried in the Jewish section of the Calvinia cemetery

Death notices

Death notices for Miriam. Her date of death is given as both 5th and 6th of August and her name is given as Miriam Pearl Helfet and also Pearl Miriam Helfet

Tombstone

Miriam's tombstone in the Calvinia cemetery.

Inscription: In loving memory of Miriam Pearl Helfet, departed this life 6th August 1923, age 7 years and 9 months. M.H.D.S.R.I.P.

Hebrew translation: To the memory of / the [young] girl Miriam Perl Helfet / died 24 Av 5683 / (abbr) May her soul be bound in the bond of life. The word צִיּוּן "Tziyun" at top inside the Star of David means "grave mark"

Newspaper death notice

HELFET-At Calvinia, Sunday, 5th inst., Pearl Miriam, dearly-beloved daughter of Leon and Mrs. Helfet, aged 7¾  years.

Residence

In Calvinia Miriam lived with her family at Carmel Villa in 19 Pastorie Street, which her father Leon had built. It is now a bed and breakfast establishment