Samuel Kesselman | Accountant, teacher, 85

Samuel Kesselman, 85, of Northeast Philadelphia, an accountant and a retired teacher, died of cancer Monday at Frankford Hospital-Torresdale Campus.

Mr. Kesselman grew up in North Philadelphia. After contracting polio as a small child, he had limited mobility in one arm and a limp. Doctors predicted he would never walk again, his daughter Beth Zimmerman said. Instead, he played sandlot baseball and attended public schools after convincing administrators he could climb fire escapes, she said.

Mr. Kesselman earned a bachelor's degree in accounting and a master's degree in education from Temple University. He taught business courses at South Philadelphia High School and Bok Technical High School, then taught for 20 years at Overbrook High School.

"He was a strong advocate for his students, who very much admired him," his daughter said.

While teaching, Mr. Kesselman maintained an accounting business with his wife, Kathryn Saul Kesselman. He continued to work as an accountant after retiring from teaching in the mid-1980s. He prepared taxes and handled finances for veterans without charge, his daughter said.

He was a devoted Phillies fan.

In addition to his wife of 62 years and daughter, Mr. Kesselman is survived by a daughter, Rochelle Finkelstein; a sister; a brother; and three grandchildren.

A funeral was held yesterday at Goldsteins' Rosenberg's Raphael-Sacks Memorial Chapel in Southampton. Burial was in Roosevelt Memorial Park, Trevose.

Memorial donations may be made to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital, 1275 York Ave., New York, N.Y. 10021.