Obituaries

Rosalyn E. Channen Hootstein, of Needham, in her 97th year, passed away peacefully at her home on January 23, 2021. Forever in our hearts and memories, Rosalyn was the beloved wife for 66 wonderful years of Meyer “Milton” Hootstein, who passed away at the age of 93 in 2017. She was the loving mother of both sons Michael Hootstein and his wife Kathy (Stein) and David Hootstein and his wife Liz (Cline). She was greatly cherished by her grandchildren: Davina, Laurel and her partner Patrick, Melissa and her husband Michael, William and his wife Janine, Matthew, Sara, and her beloved great-grandchildren: Giovanni, Javian, Anna, Benjamin, Hailey and Cameron. Rosalyn was predeceased by her parents, Frances (Castaline) and Harry Channen, and her sister Evelyn Channen Kaswell. She leaves her loving sister Beverly Channen Ganz (Joseph Ganz), her dear sister-in-law Janice Hootstein Newman and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be private following COVID protocols and restrictions. Donations may be made in Roz’s memory to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250.

David M. Wexler, of Newton, passed away on January 23, 2021 at 71 years old. David was the loving father of Laurie Wexler Gerber and Jennifer Wexler, and the proud grandfather of Madeline Gerber. David will also be missed by his older brother Stephen Wexler and Stephen’s wife, Bette. David was the youngest son of the late Irving and Leona Wexler, stepson of Irving Kleinberg, the beloved husband of the late Sandra (Titelbaum) Wexler and former husband of Gerry (Penn) Wexler.

David was a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) for his whole career. David joined Tofias, Fleishman, Shapiro as his first job out of college and grew to be a Partner and Manager. He continued his career working with architectural and engineering firms and served as CFO for Cubellis, Spagnolo Gisness & Associates, and Mount Vernon Group Architects. Ultimately, he started his own firm, Wexler & Associates PC.

He was a remarkable CPA, fueled by an incredible love for his clients and passion for life. His clients have recited how wonderful David was, not only as an accountant, but also as a business advisor and as a friend. He was warm, generous, thoughtful, trustworthy and always optimistic. David will be missed so very much.

Funeral services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in David’s memory may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 209 West Central St., Natick, MA 01760.

Robert Hirsh Pierce, of Framingham, 88 yrs, January 22, 2021. Son of the late Jacob Pierce and Zelda  (Kaplan) Pierce. Husband of the late Estaire E. “Cookie” (Miller) Pierce. Father of Jacob Pierce (Judy) and Rebecca Reardon (Dennis). Grandfather of Brittany Framson, Scott Pierce Framson and Daryl Framson. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Robert’s memory may be made to a Covid-19 charity of one’s choice.

John J. Lerner, 78, longtime resident of Newton, after a brief illness, passed peacefully, on Jan.21,2021. Devoted and caring husband of Linda {Werner} Lerner, loving father of Jeffrey Lerner, wife Jill, Adam Lerner, wife Stacey, and April Van Dam. Adoring grandfather of Matthew and Samantha Lerner, Peyton and Ava Lerner, and Parker, Aaron and Skylar Van Dam. Beloved brother and best friend of Scott Lerner. Predeceased by his sister Leslie Lerner, parents Nathan and Anne Lerner and Paula [Burstein]Lerner. John adored his longtime, wide circle of loving and caring friends. He sorely missed his Wednesday dinner date with “the boys” due to COVID. The many stories and expressions of his experiences in business were part of who he was, and we all loved hearing the humor he found in telling them. Having spent over fifty years in the furniture business, even in retirement he looked forward to his ‘daily updates’ from his brother! He will be sorely missed by all those whose lives he touched. He was a class act! Donations in his memory may be made to “Brigham & Women’s Home Hospital,” www.homehospital.bwh.harvard.edu or “Diabetes Foundation,” www.diabetesfoundationinc.org.

Deborah Leah Rudnick Menashi

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, friend and professor. She is survived by her children Solomon and Dara, grandchildren Jake and Sophie and daughter-in-law Nancy Bernard. Deborah was born in New Haven Connecticut in 1934 and came to Boston in 1952 to attend Brandies University (class of 1956) and then received an MSW from Smith College in 1958.  She married Wilson (deceased 2019) and had three children, Solomon, Dara, and Daniel (1966 -1967). She began an extensive career as a social work professor at Boston University in 1970 where she taught for 17 years and then went on to teach at Boston College, Smith College and Southern Massachusetts University.  She was an institution in the local social work field known for her creative teaching and mentoring.  She will be sorely missed by those who love her.

A private funeral will be held at Westview Cemetery. The family will hold a remembrance on zoom starting at 2PM on January 24th.  If you would like to attend please contact Lucy Goodhart at lucy.m.goodhart@gmail.com for details.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Deborah’s memory may be made to Brandeis University, c/o the Daniel Menashi Endowed Scholarship, 415 South St., MS 126, Waltham, MA 02454.

Simon Laskey – of  Newton, suddenly on January 18, 2021. Graveside services will be private.

Morton Sheldon Silin, of Falmouth, Maine, formerly of Newton, MA, passed away on January 17, 2021 at 93 years old.

He was predeceased by his loving wife of 69 years, Irene Bresnick Silin, who passed away on December 29, 2020.

He is survived by his two loving children and their spouses, Sheryl and Mark Perechocky, and Steven Silin and Diane Lukac. He was the proud grandfather to 3 grandchildren, David (and Miriam), Andrew (and Salma) Perechocky, Jonathan Silin, and 7 great-grandchildren.

Morton, son of Louis and Fannie (Freedman) Silin, was born on July 4, 1927 and was raised in Brookline, MA. He attended Boston University College of Business Administration. Upon graduation, he began his career as CFO of Silin Manufacturing Company, a family business begun by his father. Later in life he worked for Banker’s Life and Casualty Company as an insurance agent, specializing in long-term care insurance policies.

Morton was well-known as an avid and accomplished athlete. He garnered many championship awards in golf, tennis and squash. He also enjoyed downhill skiing, biking and bridge. Morton was an ardent devotee of all animals and owned many dogs during his lifetime.

Morton will be laid to rest in a private graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the MSPCA-Angell (www.mspca.org).

SAM WEINREB

Age 94, formerly of Pittsburgh, PA, passed away peacefully at Hebrew SeniorLife Rehabilitation Center in Roslindale, MA on January 15, 2021. Sam was born in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia in 1926 to parents David and Freida Weinreb. Sam lost his immediate family in the Holocaust, but following the war, he reconnected with his childhood sweetheart Gloria (Goldie) Berger, also a survivor, whom he married and began a family with in McKeesport, PA. Throughout his life, Sam was deeply committed to his family and his community. Beyond his work as a watchmaker and jeweler, Sam dedicated much of his life to speaking at schools, universities, religious organizations, and other groups to share the story of his life and experience surviving the Holocaust. Through his storytelling, Sam reached thousands of individuals and left a lasting legacy of strength, resilience, and empathy. He most enjoyed his opportunities to speak with young students. He is survived by his two children, Stewart and Linda, and his granddaughter, Hannah. Sam will be remembered for his deep devotion to his family, his love of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers, and his desire to leave the world a kinder place than he found it. Memorial donations may be made to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 100 Raul Wallenberg Pl., SW, Washington, DC 20024. (https://donate.ushmm.org)

ATLAS, Henry, of Sudbury, MA, 86 yrs, passed on January 15, 2021. Dear son of the late Lester Atlas and Sara (Kramer) Atlas. Beloved husband of Lisa T. Glaskin of Sudbury, MA, devoted father of Sara Atlas of Sudbury, MA and NYC.

Physicist, computer scientist, dance entrepreneur.

Burial will be private at Beit Olam East, Wayland, MA. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Henry’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, MA/NH Chapter, 309 Waverley Oaks Rd., Waltham, MA 02452.

Paul F. Rubin, resident of Chelsea, Brighton, Newton, and Billerica, MA, and most recently Ocala, FL, passed away on January 15, 2021, at the age of 91. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Mildred, his daughter Donna, and his brothers Arnold and Larry. He leaves behind his brother Bob, sister Doris, daughter Amy and her husband Craig Sowsy, son Jason and his partner Naomi Kahn, daughter Judi and her husband Jay Leininger, and grandchildren Allison and Bradley Sowsy, and Hannah and Stella Rubin.

Paul was devoted to his family and to Temple Beth Avodah, where he was a regular at Torah class for decades. Through his more than 60 years as a master mason, including more than 20 years of volunteering at the Shriners Hospital in Boston, MA, he lived a life of strong values and good works.

In the mid-1950s, Paul joined his father, Harry, as co-owner of Somerset Supply Company, a plumbing and heating supply store located in Somerville, MA, that Harry had co-founded in 1945. Upon Harry’s retirement, Paul managed the store on his own until the 1980s. Paul spent his years in retirement delighting in his volunteer work at the Shriners, doing crossword puzzles, listening to opera, and cheering on his favorite sports teams, most notably the New England Patriots.

He will be interred at Sharon Memorial Park in Sharon, MA. Services are private. Donations in his memory may be made to the Shriners Hospital in Boston.