Richard Barry Slifka
Boston philanthropist and business leader, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2025 at the age of 85. Beloved husband of Rosalyn (Greenberg) Slifka. Devoted father of Amy Cook and her husband Jamie, Karen Dattilo and her husband Jeffery, and Andrew Slifka and his wife Jodi. Cherished grandfather (“Grumpy”) of Shayna and Daniel Cook, Joseph and Michael Dattilo, and Julia and Jason Slifka. Dear brother of Alfred Slifka (z’’l) and his wife Gilda.
Richard was a proud alumni of Boston Latin School and M.I.T.
He and Rosalyn met at age seventeen on an arranged date and they were married for sixty-three years. They raised their family of three, and watched their family grow to include their children’s spouses, 6 grandchildren, 1 step-grandchild and 1 step-great-grandchild. Richard cared deeply about making the world a better place. He served on the Board of Directors of St. Francis House, the largest day shelter in Massachusetts, from 2002 to 2024. He served on the Board of Trustees of Boston Medical Center, the academic medical center and safety net hospital, from 2006 to 2019, and of BMC Health System, Inc. from 2013 to 2021. At BMC, he sponsored the Richard B. Slifka Chief of Neurology position.
Richard became involved in fighting Multiple Sclerosis in honor of his mother, Sonya Slifka. He was a director of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society from 1981 to 2019. He served as Greater New England Chapter Chairman from 1986-1988 and was elected to the National Board of Directors in 1987 where he served as Chairman from 1998-2001. He and Rosalyn supported many Jewish causes and charities in the United States and in Israel, including many day schools.
Chairman of the Board of Global Partners LP, Richard joined the company in 1963 and held various leadership and governance roles with Global Partners or its predecessors throughout his career. Mr. Slifka entered the oil industry at his brother Fred’s request to join him at Slifky’s Reliable Oil Company, the business started by his father, Abraham, in 1933. Fred and Richard transformed the business into one of New England’s largest wholesalers of distillates, gasoline, residual oil and bunker fuel. Mr. Slifka and his family successfully completed Global Partners’ initial public offering and listing on the New York Stock Exchange in 2005. Mr. Slifka is a past director of the New England Fuel Institute and served as president of the Independent Fuel Terminal Operators Association.
Services at Temple Sinai, 25 Canton Street, Sharon, MA on Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 10:30 am. Interment to follow at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA. Family and friends are invited to join Richard’s family at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 776 Boylston Street on Sunday afternoon from 2:30 to 7 pm. Memorial observance will continue on Tuesday, June 3 from 5 to 8 pm at Temple Beth David, 7 Clapboardtree Street, Westwood, MA. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater New England Chapter or to a charity of your choice.