Joel David Brandeis passed away Oct. 7, 2008 in Atlanta, Ga. He was 50.
Brandeis was born Philip Alan Carey Jan. 28, 1958 in Illinois. He developed an appreciation of the Jewish faith and converted in 1995. At that same time he also changed his name, taking the last name of the first Jewish United States Justice of the States Supreme Court, Louis Brandeis.
Brandeis obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology and theater from Eastern Illinois University and received a master’s in social work from the University of Illinois. He moved to Chicago in 1983 and worked as a clinical social worker.
In 1987, Brandeis made a career change and went to work at Northern Trust Company in information technology (IT). In 1996 he moved to New York to join TIAA-CREF, managing several IT teams during his tenure there. He later moved to TIAA-CREF’s Charlotte, N.C., facility. In December 2007, he moved to the Atlanta area to be an IT project manager at Macy’s Systems and Technology.
Brandeis had a dry sense of humor and used that humor to put people at ease, especially in difficult situations. He found his social work experience very useful when managing people and working with others throughout his career. Many common characteristics have been mentioned by Joel’s friends—a kind man; one of the funniest people they knew; quiet nature; quick, dry wit; always positive; someone who would throw in a one-liner to lighten the mood; a truly nice person; someone who is loved, missed and will be remembered fondly; a true friend; the kind of man that one strives to be, calm, reserved, humble, responsible and loyal to all things that he held dear.
He is survived by his brother, Mark Carey, and sister-in-law, Christine Carey of Frankfort, Ill. An online guestbook is at www.edressler.com. In lieu of flowers, people may send donations to Congregation Or Chadash, 5959 N. Sheridan, Chicago, Ill., 60660.