Obituaries

Block, Eleanor (Skupp), of Lexington MA, formerly of Newton MA, Waltham MA, Burlington MA, & Falmouth MA, passed away December 31, 2020, 15 days shy of her 98th birthday. Beloved wife of the late C. Raymond Block and the late Edward Schertzer. Devoted mother of Meryl Precourt and her husband Henry and Richard Block and his wife Rebecca. Cherished grandmother of Stefanie Russman and her husband Charles, Daniel Precourt and his wife Hali, and Steven Precourt. Proud great grandmother of Harvey Precourt, and Isaac Russman. Loving sister of the late Solomon Skupp and the late Rose Pollack. Due to current health restrictions, services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Eleanor’s memory may be made to Temple Isaiah in Lexington, or to a dementia or a macular degeneration related charity of your choice.

Kenneth S. Sawyer of Newton, formerly of Sharon, MA, passed away  December 31,2020 after a long, courageous battle with lung disease. He was 78 years old.

Ken was an outstandingly devoted, loving father to his daughter Andrea and his late son Jonathan, a beloved Tata to Ashley, Sophia and Diego of New Hampshire; and the cherished brother to Sandra Kurson and husband Donald of Chestnut Hill, MA, Jerald Sawyer and wife Susan of Sudbury MA and Robert Sawyer and his wife Kathleen “Sam”
of Martha’s Vineyard.

He also leaves numerous cousins, nieces and nephews who were very much a part of his life. His family has long since credited Ken with being the glue in keeping his very large family together.   He was universally and affectionately known as Uncle Kenny to both family and friends.

Ken was a well-known executive and respected leader in the sign industry. For many years he was a principal of University Brink Sign Company in Boston and later developed and led UB Maintenance Corp.  It cannot be understated the time and pleasure Ken derived from his community service.  He has long been a dedicated member and past president of the Sharon Men’s club and Sharon’s Council on Aging.

His true passion in life lay with his commitment to family and friends.  He was best known for his infectious smile, his enormous sense of humor and his charismatic, vibrant and social nature.   Ken had that unique propensity to instantly light up any room whether with family, friends or strangers.  He had a distinctive ability to make everyone feel they were the most important person in the room. It was uncanny how he could remember every story from his childhood, and made certain everyone knew all of his stories, over and over again. Uncle Kenny was truly a Pied Piper to the younger generation who never seem to tire of his sense of humor and attention.  He loved life and always viewed the brighter side of things even when it seemed impossible after the unexpected loss of his only son, Jonathan.  He will be long remembered for his generous love, affection and humor.

Funeral services: Due to COVID restrictions there will be a private gravesite funeral at Sharon Memorial Park. For those who can not attend in person a Zoom link for the service will be sent out by the family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ken’s name may be made to Beth Israel Medical Center, Office of Development 330 Brookline Ave, Brookline MA 02215.

Irene Bresnick Silin, of Falmouth, Maine, formerly of Newton, MA, passed away on December 29, 2020 at 91 years old.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 69 years, Morton Sheldon Silin, and by her two loving children and their spouses, Sheryl and Mark Perechocky, and Steven Silin and Diane Lukac. She was the proud grandmother to 3 grandchildren, David (and Miriam) and Andrew (and Salma) Perechocky and Jonathan Silin, and 7 great-grandchildren.

Irene, daughter to Barnet and Clara (Dashever) Bresnick, was born on June 12, 1929, and was raised in Mattapan, MA. She received her Bachelors degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and her Masters degree from Simmons College Graduate School of Social Work. After graduation, she worked in the field of social work for a couple of years, but later devoted herself full-time to raising her children. Subsequently, Irene worked at Hebrew Senior Life in Roslindale, MA as manager of the Gift Shop for several years.

Irene enjoyed travel, tennis, bridge, knitting and reading. However, she was happiest spending time with her family.

Private graveside services will be held.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Hebrew Senior Life, 1200 Center Street, Roslindale, MA 02131.

Michael Robert Sandler, formerly of Weston and Boston, MA, passed away at 80 years old on December 29, 2020, from complications related to Alzheimer’s Disease.

Born in Portland, Maine, on June 6, 1940, Mike was the younger son of Maurice and Dorothy (Alman) Sandler.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Ellen Cooper Sandler, whom he met when they were both studying at the University of Pennsylvania.

He also is survived by his three daughters; Marcy (Jim Janover), Susan (Mike Brennan) and Amy, for whom he named his company “MSA”; his four grandchildren, William and Kate Janover and Jake and Dan Brennan; his older brother Jerry (Kathy), his niece and nephews; and countless people whose lives he touched.

A graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Mike served as a University Trustee and Overseer of its School of Arts and Sciences. He organized his reunion class’s fundraising effort that installed on campus the “Ben [Franklin] on the Bench” statue, which has become a university landmark. Franklin’s famous quotation, “Energy and Persistence Conquer All Things” embodied the way Mike led his life.

Mike was a lifelong entrepreneur who built and sold several businesses, including Marsan Industries (which merged with ITT Corporation), Auto Parts Distributors (which was sold to Rite-Aid Corporation) and Eduventures. A lifetime member of the CEO organization YPO, Mike served in key leadership roles including Chapter Chair, Education Chair and WPO Board member. He also served as a senior fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School, where he conducted research on the intersection of business, government and education.

Considered one of the founding fathers of the education industry, Mike was a founder of A Different September Foundation, an organization that supported the Boston University/Chelsea Public Schools Partnership. He served as executive-in-residence at the University of Southern California, a Visiting Fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Education, President of the Education Industry Foundation, and a Senior Advisor at The Parthenon Group. He also authored the book: Social Entrepreneurship in Education: Private Ventures for the Public Good.

Also known as “Fenway Mike,” he was a champion of all things Boston. From the Public Library to the Public Garden, the Back Bay to Beacon Hill, he left an enduring legacy on the people, places and spaces of his chosen hometown. An avid Boston sports fan, for some 40 years he would have been spotted at Red Sox home games seated in Section 33, and on TV whenever a lefty was at the plate. In honor of his 70th birthday, he threw out the first pitch at his beloved Fenway Park.

Most important, Mike was loved by everyone who knew him: his family, friends, colleagues, the young entrepreneurs he mentored — all those whose lives he touched with his generous spirit, can-do attitude and unique way of making everyone around him feel special. If you needed tickets to a sold-out game, wise advice, a life-changing conversation, or someone to light up a room, Mike was the go-to guy so many went to.

Mike handled his illness with extraordinary grace and optimism. We are grateful to his executive assistant Sherry Campbell for being like family for decades; and for the compassionate support he received from program staff and caregivers who honored his leadership skills and creativity, his love of family and his dignity through the course of his disease.

Due to current health restrictions, private services were held. A celebration of his life will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to the Penn Fund at the University of Pennsylvania  or the charity of your choice are welcome.

Brown, Murray, of Stoughton, formerly of Norwood, MA, passed peacefully at home on December 24, 2020. Beloved husband of Edith (Giss) Brown for 71 wonderful years. Devoted father of Evie Cotter, Pam Miller and her fiancé Geno, and Allison Boyland and her husband Mark. Cherished grandfather of Carrie Gilder and her husband Kye, Matt Cotter and his wife Dyanna, Sydney Obolewicz and her husband Ryan, Benjamin Miller and his wife Cai Long, Alex Miller, and Alyssa Boyland. Proud great- grandfather of Bryce, Brock, Kaylee, Brinley, Delaney, and Rivers. Dear brother of the late Rona, Howard, and Paul, survived by sister-in-law Abby Brown. Dr. Brown leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Murray is survived by loving son-in-law Ed Cotter. Murray will be missed by so many, including his loving neighbors and his beloved friends. He practiced dentistry for more than 40 years. Murray was a long time member of the Air Force Association, the Masons, the Boston Braves, and was the last surviving member of the Spartans. Dr. Brown served in the U S Army Air Corp during WWII and the U S Air Force during the Korean War. Due to current restrictions, services are private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Brown’s memory may be made to Jewish National Fund, 42 E. 69th St., NY, NY 10021, the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Rd., #300, Jacksonville, FL 32256, or the charity of your choice.

Link to service recording:https://viewneral.zoom.us/rec/play/0xs6Mz4HLiecHhlpYwDLh5DRgL6ywUN5JvzoV4akihV6g9ryLJg0B2caxf9cg8TQRJF2iAIJvIv0VayE.MJY0SG0VNeGJBAH2

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