BRUNSWICK — Jonathan Weil Reitman, 65, local and international conflict resolution advocate, teacher, and writer, died June 7 at a local hospital after a battle with cancer.

He was born in New York City on Oct. 3, 1948, a son of Sydney and Marian Weil Reitman. He was a graduate of West Orange High School, New Jersey, Class of 1966 and of Lafayette College, Pennsylvania, Class of 1970. Before earning his degree from University of Maine School of Law in 1978, he served as the metropolitan editor of the Easton Express and taught at Maine Reach, Wiscasset, an alternative school he helped found.

Upon earning his law degree, he became partner in one of New England’s largest union labor law firms. After leaving the firm, Reitman provided local and international mediation and conflict resolution. His years as mediator, lecturer and contributing writer made him a beacon of inspiration for his community at large and in the profession he served.

His most notable international contributions were those as lecturer and trainer. He served as a professor of negotiation, mediation, and conflict management to Palestinian and Israeli graduate students, Clark University, in Tel Avivi, Hafia, and Jerusalem. He was a repeat lecturer for the World Youth Service Enterprise in Bologna, Italy and London. He was a member of Mediators Beyond Borders, Middle East Initiative and was the recipient of the 2010 Peacemaker of the Year Award, Greater Brunswick Peaceworks. Locally, he was a founding partner of Gosline & Reitman and also served as chairman of the board for Pine Tree Legal Assistance for over 30 years.

Throughout his career and life, his gentle presence and calming nature left a profound effect on those around him. For decades, he provided loving mentorship to his friends in the AA community and was an active and spiritual contributor to the Bet Ha’am congregation, South Portland.

He is survived by his wife, Lilliana, of Brunswick; son, Samuel Adams Reitman, and wife, Elizabet Dahlstrand; stepson, Chris Stearns; two brothers, Leslie W. Reitman, and wife, Joyce Puschel, and Marc W. Reitman, and wife, Cathleen Costello; three nephews, Daniel Reitman, Matthew Reitman and Drew Reitman; two nieces, Emily Reitman and Kate Poze, of Portland; sister-in-law, Maureen Costello, of Boston; and a grateful community of AA friends.

A memorial service was held June 13 at Congregation Bet Ha’am, South Portland.

Memorial contributions can be made to Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program, 84A Union St., Brunswick, ME 04011, or Pine Tree Legal Assistance Inc., 88 Federal Street, Portland, ME 04101.

Sidebar Elements

---

Reitman