Morey Greenstein

Nov. 28, 1929 - May 16, 2023

Hayward/Fremont

Morey Greenstein, a well-respected CPA, a beloved father, an adored Zeyde and an all-round mensch, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2023 after an illness. Born in November 1929 in Iowa, Morey was the son of Sidney and Anna Greenstein, immigrants from Proskurov, a town near Kiev. He grew up in Waterloo Iowa with siblings Sonia, Milt and Zena, graduating from Waterloo High in 1948 and the University of Iowa in 1952. He served in the Air Force from 1952-54, then followed his brother Milt out to California to make his way in the world and to escape from cold winters. As a young C.P.A, Morey met Eleanor Louik at a Jewish singles dance at Temple Sinai in the Fall of 1955 (rumor has it that Morey could jitterbug better than anybody). They were married nine months later and had just marked their 62nd wedding anniversary when she passed away in 2018. Morey lived in Hayward for more than 60 years, where he and Eleanor raised their three children, Mark, Shane and Jody (as well as his three dogs and numerous cherry, plum, apricot and apple trees).

After working for Alexander Grant Accounting, Morey opened an accounting office with his brother-in-law Al Perlman in Fremont in 1963, branching out on his own in 1964 and adding an office in Palo Alto in the early 80’s. The firm eventually evolved into “Greenstein, Rogoff, Olsen and Company ” where Morey, known widely as honest, reliable, hard-working and steady, guided and advised some of Fremont’s and Silicon Valley’s most significant individuals and businesses, including many of the first-generation venture capitalists on the Peninsula. He loved his work -the client relationships, his hard-working staff, the challenging details, the numbers (oh, the numbers!)- he even loved to complain about the ever-evolving complexities of the US tax code. Morey was absolutely the best to ever practice as a CPA, continuing to serve his office and his clients until age 92 (Yes! 92! He maintained his accounting license for 67 years). Community-oriented and highly trusted, Morey served on the Board of Fremont’s Washington Hospital, and as the President of both the California CPA Society and Castlewood Country Club. He was awarded the John Sandoval Award of Service by the Hayward Historical Society in 2015, as well as a special commendation by the California Society of CPAs in 2021, and November 21st, 2021 was declared “Morey Greenstein Day” by Fremont Mayor Lily Mei.

Morey loved to watch golf and to play golf, with two hole-in-ones to his credit. He especially loved the so- called "Z" group, friends that golfed and breakfasted most every Saturday and Sunday (except during tax season!) at Castlewood Country Club in Pleasanton, where he was a member for over 40 years. He loved to picnic and take scenic drives with Eleanor. He loved the SF Giants, the Oakland Raiders, his convertibles, thick butter-pecan milkshakes, white water rafting, and his backyard roses and fruit trees. In recent years, he allowed himself (just a few days off!) to travel with family. He and Mark played golf in Europe, and all three of his kids were lucky enough to take him to Spring Training and to Israel. Most of all, Morey enjoyed every single moment with his 8 grandchildren; he loved being able to travel with them to Disneyworld, to the Canadian Rockies and to the Sierras. He loved attending their plays, their art shows, their soccer and Little League games, and he felt enormous joy in witnessing their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and graduations.

Morey will be greatly missed by his children: Mark Greenstein (Renee), Shane Greenstein (Ranna Rozenfeld), and Jody Weverka (Phil). He will be fondly remembered by his 8 grandchildren: Jacob, Adam, Hannah, Jennie, Noah, Rebecca, Ilana, and Eli. Morey is also survived by his sister Zena Berenstein, his sisters-in-law Marge Greenstein, Marilyn Trabert (George) and Phyllis Sagen (Duane). He will be deeply missed by many loving and supportive nieces, nephews, GROCO colleagues, friends, neighbors and community members. A special thank you to Roy Goldt, Brian and Grace Gothberg, Carlton Senior Community in Fremont and Inoke Taufa, who helped support Morey in recent months. Contributions may be made to the Jewish Federation of the East Bay, Temple Beth Abraham in Oakland or your favorite educational charity. May his memory be for a blessing to us all.