Obituaries

Graveside service at Beth El Cemetery, Tuesday, December 29, 2020.

Funeral service can be viewed here

Tesler, Norman of Quincy, MA, passed away at age 73 on December 25, 2020. Dear son of the late William and Jessie (Molson) Tesler and later Bella (Stone) Tesler. Loving brother of Michael Tesler. Beloved uncle of Rachel and Danielle. Private graveside services were held at Sharon Memorial Park. Norman lived with a full heart and a compassion for others. A lover of the arts and language, he was most himself making friends and while enjoying music. In lieu of flowers, donations in Norman’s memory may be made to the charity of your choice.

Marian Benima-Of Newton, on December 24, 2020.

Barry Seidman, 79, Maj. USAF ret., succumbed to his battle with ALS.  He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Valerie, son Brian, daughter-in-law Kristen, grandson Tavi, granddaughter Sloane, and his sister Gail.  Barry graduated from Boston University where he was a member of Arnold Air Society ROTC.  After graduating, Barry entered the Air Force where he went to pilot training in Selma, AL.  He became a Forward Air Controller in the Vietnam War and was awarded the Silver Star for bravery.  The remainder of his 20 years in the Air Force were spent in Strategic Air Command at Pease AFB in Portsmouth, NH, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and Strategic Air Command Headquarters in Omaha, NE.  After retiring from the Air Force in 1982, he and his family returned to Massachusetts where he and his sister were partners in the family business, University Stationery Co. in Cambridge. He was an active member of Rotary in Cambridge and an involved member of Temple Emunah in Lexington. Anyone who knew Barry enjoyed his sense of humor, and their groans at his jokes were music to his ears.  Barry was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. A private interment will take place with full military honors. Donations in his memory may be made to:  Temple Emunah,9 Piper Rd., Lexington MA 02421  or Compassionate Care ALS, PO Box 1052,West Falmouth, MA 02574. To the view the funeral service click here

Jon Barron-of Chestnut Hill, MA, December 23, 2020. Arrangements pending

Lorraine Edith (Atkins) Abkowitz, 88, formerly longtime resident of Lexington, MA passed away peacefully on December 23, 2020 after a short battle with COVID-19. Loving daughter of her beloved and deceased parents, Nathan and Ruth (Barenberg) Atkins and dear wife of 63 years to her predeceased husband, Stanley Abkowitz. The two met on Revere Beach and fell in love.  Beloved mother to Miles Abkowitz and wife, Donna O’Leary-Abkowitz; Susan Abkowitz and spouse, Donna Rouleau; and Robin Feiner and husband, Adam Feiner. Proud grandmother of Sarah Torrice (daughter of Miles and Donna) and husband, David; Andrew Feiner and partner, Rachel; Jessica Feiner and fiancé, Eric, and Jason Feiner and partner, Sienna.

Lorraine was a graduate of the Chelsea High School class of 1950 and studied Communications at Emerson College. She also studied performing arts and modeling at the Powers School in Boston. She had a calling for the stage, and was an avid music lover, pianist and talented singer. She performed, for decades, with Choral ensembles including Sweet Adelines, Makhaylah, and Lexington Pops and in community theater productions. With a forte in Language Arts, she enjoyed working in the Lexington schools for many years and later was a volunteer tutor of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Lorraine and her husband, Stanley, were members of Temple Emunah since 1962 and were involved in the early building and growth of the synagogue. She was also a dedicated participant in both Sisterhood and Hadassah.

Clever, word-savvy and not camera shy, Lorraine loved to recall her appearances on the TV game show, Concentration, hosted by Hugh Downs in 1966 where she solved the puzzles to win two games, taking home cash and prizes including a trip to Bermuda. With a passion for travel, Lorraine enjoyed family vacations, joined Stanley at business conventions, and took special trips to London, Monaco, and Alaska with her daughter, Susan. She also enjoyed group tours to Israel, Italy, and Greece.

Lorraine delighted in the joy of her family during the many holiday gatherings at the homes of her son, Miles and daughter, Robin. She had a large circle of friends, a strong sense of community, and was known for her great sense of humor right to the end, despite challenges with dementia.

A funeral service with her closest loved ones was held graveside at Sharon Memorial Park, led by Rabbi Lerner. The family would like to thank the caring staff at the Lahey Hospital in Burlington, as well as the loving staff at Atrium at Drum Hill in N. Chelmsford. Lorraine will be greatly missed by her family, colleagues, and community, but the memory of her vibrant spirit will endure.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following philanthropies: Abkowitz Family Israel and Camp Scholarship Fund to Temple Emunah, 9 Piper Road, Lexington, MA 02421, Healthcare Heroes Emergency Response Fund at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, or Actors Fund (help for the Entertainment community COVID-19 emergency relief).

Charles (Chick, Poppa) Heinberg of Stoughton, MA, died on December 21, 2020 under the extraordinary care of CareOne Senior Care in Newton, MA. He was 75 years old.

Chick was born in New York on March 30, 1945, the son of the late Freda and Howard Heinberg, brother of Gary and the late Neil Heinberg, and brother in-law of Robert Schecter. He was proud of being a graduate of Valley Stream North High School of New York, Cornell University of New York, and the University of Detroit School of Dentistry in Michigan. He began his career as an associate dentist with Dr. Paul Sowsy in East Bridgewater MA, and opened his private general practice in 1975.

He was the loving husband of his wife, Jeri (Schecter) of 53 years, devoted father to Ami and her husband Matthew Cecil, and Poppa to his grandsons, Samuel Oliver Cecil and Maxwell David Cecil. He was an avid gardener and landscaper, and derived great pleasure as a property developer and manager. He was an aficionado of the Dunkin’ Donuts at Cobb Corner in Canton, where he met ‘the guys’ daily.  He took special joy in taking his two grandsons for Sunday breakfasts, and sharing dinner and gatherings with friends.

Funeral services will be private and graveside on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at Sharon Memorial Park in Sharon. Donations in his memory may be made to Temple Sinai of Sharon, Hesed Fund, 25 Canton St., Sharon, MA 02067, Care-One Newton, 2101 Washington St., Newton, MA 02462, or First Choice Healthcare Hospice Services, 1842 Beacon St., Ste. 203, Brookline MA 02445.

Helen Barbara Wellinger-Of Peabody, formerly of Lexington on December 20, 2020.Dear daughter of the late Max and Annie (Heartz) Feld. Dear brother of  Gerald Feld. Loving aunt  of Jonah and the late Gabriel. Private graveside services were held at Westview Cemetery, Lexington.

Sarah Tobin, 95, of Quincy, formerly of Canton, MA, passed away on December 20, 2020. Loving wife of the late Frank Tobin. Devoted aunt of Diana Weiner. Due to the pandemic the interment will be private. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Stephen M. Needle, 74, of Braintree, MA passed away at his home with his family by his side on December 19, 2020.

Stephen, son of Joseph and Charlotte (Leppo) Needle was raised in Milton, MA.  He graduated from Suffolk University earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and then Suffolk Law School earning a Juris Doctorate degree.  From 1973 through 1981 he was an Assistant District Attorney in Suffolk County, Boston, MA.  He later went on to be a sole practitioner as a Real Estate Attorney in Randolph and then Canton, MA.  He worked hard and built warm and trusting relationships with many.

Stephen enjoyed spending time with his family, which included taking cruises and going out for Chinese food.  He loved observing the Jewish holidays with his family at his home.

Stephen was the loving companion of Susan A. Gaber. Devoted father of Lisa May and Jeremy Needle. Adoring and Loving Papa to Brett Mordas, Brady May, Camden and Maya Needle.  Loving brother of Audrey Richardson and Michael Needle.  Loving son of Charlotte and the late Joseph Needle.  Stephen was predeceased by his grandfather Jake Leppo and grandmother, Mollie Leppo.

Due to the pandemic, services are private.  In lieu of flowers, remembrances in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate.html

To view the service click here: https://viewneral.zoom.us/rec/play/WaGzplz0WrB1ZWMNdGG5xPcPuvYV9LLNRDI_hQf_i_Ay6cGdc3t7K2nfB7Wo5juX2x3cJ-7s8tj3M66c.Hk4gcVM-x-yZOvxv