Obituaries

Peter Ulin, 89, of West Newton, Massachusetts, died at home on November 5th, 2020 of Parkinson’s and Lewy body dementia. Beloved husband of Bonnie (Handmaker) Ulin for 62 years, loving father of Jennifer Ulin and Daniel Ulin and his wife Kelli Maroney of Los Angeles, devoted Grampy to Rachel and Emily Ulin Polansky. Peter was pre-deceased by his brother Jeremy Ulin, whose wife Jessie Ulin resides in California. Peter was born in Chestnut Hill to Rebecca and Benjamin Ulin. Peter attended Roxbury Latin School, Harvard College, and Columbia Business School. This was followed by three years in the U.S. Army in Japan. After a stint on Wall Street, Peter and Nicholas Holland founded their corporate finance firm in Boston specializing in mergers and acquisitions. In retirement, Peter served on the boards of Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly and Beth Israel Hospital, among others. Peter also loved volunteering as a teaching assistant at the Angier School in Waban, was a published columnist, loved to discover new restaurants and bakeries, cooked amazing meals, and traveled the world with Bonnie. His favorite saying was “Life is uncertain, eat dessert first.” He is remembered for his quick wit, generous mentoring, fine character, and deep devotion to his family and friends. There will be a private graveside service at Temple Israel Cemetery in Wakefield. In lieu of flowers, please send remembrances in Peter’s memory to 2Life Communities (formerly Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly), 30 Wallingford Road, Brighton MA 02135 or Good Shepherd Community Care, 160 Wells Avenue, Newton, MA 02459.

Eric B. Berenson – Of Cranston, RI, formerly of Boston, on November 5, 2020. Beloved husband of Gerry (Lamb) Berenson. Devoted son of the late Estelle and Joseph Berenson. Devoted father of Michelle and Louis Berenson. Loving brother of Lisa and Paul Berenson. Dear uncle of Robin Berenson and great uncle to Eva Ingemanson. Dear brother in law of Carol Lamb. Devoted son in law of Edythe and the late Harold Lamb. Private services will be held. No Flowers Please. Remembrances in his memory may be made to Providence Animal Rescue League, 34 Elbow St., Providence RI 02903.

Bernard Glassman, 101, of Newton, MA, devoted father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and great grandfather, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 4, 2020. He is survived by his son Leonard Glassman and his wife Lynda of Framingham, granddaughter Melissa Lasoff of Westboro, Dr. Seth Glassman and his wife Abhi of Niagara-On-The Lake Canada, great-grandchildren Gabrielle Lasoff and Jordan Lasoff of Westboro. Bernard was the loving husband of Phyllis (Kouffman) Glassman for 74 years. Bernard was an army veteran of the European theater of World War 2. Bernard and his brothers founded Boston based Hampden Automotive Sales Corp. The company was an early pioneer in the automotive remanufacturing industry. Bernard loved tennis, golf, music, and was an avid Boston sports fan. Bernard was known for his great sense of humor and wry wit. His deep devotion to his family will be a lasting legacy. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. A private graveside service will be held. Donations in his memory may be made to the charity of your choice.

Burton Rubenstein (Grampy) two months short of 103, of Brooklyn New York, and then Newton, Ma passed away peacefully November 3rd, 2020 leaving a true legacy behind.

He was the devoted husband to the late Thelma Geller Rubenstein, loving father of Ellyn and Richard Penn of Newton and Laurie and Andy Levin of Wellesley. Dedicated grandfather to Melissa and Fred Post, Tracy and Dan hoffman, Jamie Penn and Meredith and Harry Shafer.

Loving brother of Martin Rubenstein, the late Cecile Welsch, Willard, Arnold and Gerald Rubenstein and brother in law to Harriet Rubenstein. He also leaves behind his great grandchildren Ally, Dylan and Griffin Post, Jordan and Kendall Hoffman and Madeline, Jameson and Theodore Shafer. Loving son in law to the late Dorothy and Louis Geller and brother in law to Sumner and Carol Geller and the late Albert and Roslyn Geller.  Grampy was also beloved by many very special nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. For the last 30 years he truly loved and was grateful for his very special relationship with Eudene (Eudie) Alleyne, a beloved member of our family. His overwhelming devotion to his family was his lasting legacy. Grampy moved to Boston at the age of 18 and worked at his family textile business, Security Mills, for many years, however ended his career at the age of 86, when he retired from Barrow Industries of Norwood, Ma. He was a constant in the lives of those closest to him, but also an everlasting presence for those who knew him in a fleeting way. Born in Brooklyn, New York, while rooting on all Boston teams, Grampy was a diehard Yankee fan. He never missed a Patriot game as long as Tom Brady was at the helm. Grampy was a man of routine. He read the newspaper from cover to cover, as well as exercised for 30 minutes daily. He was advocate for lengthy dental hygiene, a lover of red wine, mallomars, tongue sandwiches,  the Sunday crossword puzzle and beautiful young ladies. He had a handshake that could crush a grown man and a heart that knew no bounds. While in many ways he was a simple man, for those who knew and loved him, he loomed larger than life. He was our Superhero. He will be deeply missed, celebrated and remembered forever. Due to current restrictions, a private graveside funeral will be held Monday November 9th. To honor his memory, donations can be made to the National Breast Cancer Coalition, 1010 Vermont Ave NW Suite 900 Washington DC 20005, or go online to www.stopbreastcancer.org.

Millard M. Kay-Age 96, of Dedham, formerly of Newton, on November 1, 2020.Beloved husband of the late Lucille (Katz) Kay. Devoted father of Ronna Niederman and her husband Dr. Michael Niederman, Terry Kay Bargar and her husband Dr. Richard Bargar, Jonathan Kay and his wife Linda Sloane Kay. Loving grandfather of Alex Niederman and his wife Sarah, Eric Niederman and his wife Andrea, Emily Bargar and Stephen Patrias, Jillian Bargar and her husband Sam Donovan, Joshua Kay and his wife Brooke Patkin Kay, Rachel Kay and Franklin Ross. Dear great- grandfather of Leah and Chloe Niederman and Bette Niederman. Services are private. Remembrances in his memory may be made to NewBridge on the Charles,7000 Great Meadow Road, Dedham, MA 02026.

Eli Botkin, 94, of Dedham, MA, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, cousin and friend, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 30, 2020. He is survived by his loving wife Evelyn, his children Dianne, Brad (Renee), Naomi (Josh) and Josh (Deb), seven grandchildren, and four great -grandchildren. Born in New York City, Eli received undergraduate and graduate degrees from New York University (where he was captain of the riflery team) and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). A lifelong student of math and physics, he enjoyed a nearly 60-year career as an aerospace engineer specializing in trajectory analysis – including as a member of the Grumman team that developed the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM), which was flown from lunar orbit to the moon’s surface during the Apollo program. In recent years, Eli served as a volunteer teacher at the Rashi School in Dedham, where he shared his love of math and science (particularly Einstein’s theory of special relativity) with middle school students. Due to Covid restrictions, the family held a private graveside service. Donations in Eli’s memory may be made to The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund or another charity of your choice.

Arnold Nathanson, 92, of Newton, MA and Boca Raton, FL, devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and great grandfather, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 26, 2020. He is survived by his loving wife Gloria Nathanson of 68 years and his children Debbie Osheroff and husband Alan of Needham and Nancy Nathanson and husband Lee Bardin of Newton, grandchildren, Julie Kohn and husband Andrew, Lauren McEneaney and husband Douglas and Lily Bardin, and great grandsons Dylan, Jordan and Ethan Kohn. Brother of Gerald Nathanson and wife Gale and the late Herbert and Louise Nathanson. Brother-in-law to Arlene Modest and the late Marvin Modest and uncle to many nieces and nephews. Arnold was a visionary and a brilliant businessman. He was the President and COO of Arley Merchandise Corporation and was well known in the industry as a pioneer in Home Fashions. He was a passionate New England sports fan and an avid golfer who played in many PGA Pro-Am tournaments throughout the country. He was extremely philanthropic and generous to both family and friends. Reserved by nature, he lit up when in the company of his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and his beloved granddog Sammy. His deep devotion to his family will be his lasting legacy. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Due to Covid restrictions, a private graveside service will be held on Monday, November 2nd. Donations in his memory can be made to American Diabetes Association or a charity of your choice.

The service may be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/475041447/d05472b19f

LEVY, Sylvia (Lipsitz), Of Needham, passed away on October 26, 2020 at the age of 93.  Beloved wife of the late Jacob “Jack” Levy.  Devoted and proud mother of sons Robert Levy of Needham, Massachusetts and David Levy and his wife Judie (Winner) of Sharon, Massachusetts.  Devoted and proud grandmother of Jacob Levy.  Loving sister of the late Zelda Cope and Erving Lipsitz.  Also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Sylvia was born and raised in Athol, Massachusetts.  Her family home was flooded by the 1938 New England Hurricane.  After graduating high school, she enrolled in the United States Cadet Nurse Corps.  She later graduated from Boston University School of Nursing, and was a Registered Nurse at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston for many years.  She often told stories about working at the hospital during the Blizzard of 1978.  Sylvia loved flowers and gardening.  Sylvia loved to travel.  She drove cross country twice, and traveled to China, Alaska, Europe and Israel during her lifetime.  Sylvia loved to vacation with family and friends during the summer, especially in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire (Rust Pond) and all over Cape Cod.  Sylvia also enjoyed hosting cookouts during the summer with family and friends.  Sylvia loved to read The Boston Globe and discuss current events and politics.  Sylvia was looking forward to seeing a new president elected in the upcoming 2020 election.  Private burial at Sharon Memorial Park.  Donations in Sylvia’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice.

Eileen Ruth Lewis, May 17, 1934 – October 24, 2020 of Brookline, MA, formerly of Pittsburgh, PA. Eileen was born and raised in Pittsburgh and lived in the neighborhoods of the Hill District, Greenfield, and Squirrel Hill, until 2017, when she moved to Brookline, MA to be closer to her sons. Eileen was born in 1934 to Samuel Cohen (“Zadie”) and Ethel (Rubenstein) Cohen (“Bobo”,) both of Pittsburgh. She remained an only child. After attending Fifth Avenue High School, Eileen worked as a bookkeeper until she met her husband, Norman Lewis, at a dance at the YMWHA in Oakland. They were married in September 1953. Four years later, their son Mark was born. Allan was born eleven months later. Eileen was a devoted wife and mother. While her children were growing up, she was active in various organizations, and enjoyed playing mahjong with friends. Eileen did not learn to drive a car until around age 40. After her two boys went to college, she began working again. She had a long career at Jewish Family and Community Services, which was like a second family to her. She kept working there into her early 60s. Eileen also liked sports. In the 1960s and 70s, she regularly watched Studio Wrestling, and was a big fan of the professional teams, particularly the Steelers. She rooted for the Boston teams after moving there, especially the Patriots, Red Sox, and Celtics. Her loyalties were torn when the Steelers played the Patriots. Eileen watched golf on TV, despite having never played it. While living in Squirrel Hill, she walked many places and exercised at the JCC. Music was a big part of Eileen’s life. She played the violin some as a youngster. She loved classic Broadway musicals. She used to go on bus trips to New York City to see Broadway shows. After retiring, Eileen sang in a chorus that performed at senior residences. In her 3+ years in the Boston area, Eileen made friends with many at her wonderful apartment building run by Center Communities of Brookline. Eileen was predeceased by her husband Norman Lewis, Norman’s many siblings and their spouses, her parents, her uncle and aunt, Joseph and Mildred Rubenstein, and by many of her friends. She is survived by her sons Mark Lewis of Boston, MA (and Stella Bondar) and Allan Lewis of Newton, MA (and Susan Weiner), her grandson Brian Lewis of Providence, RI (and Anne Lewis), and many cousins in Pittsburgh. Graveside Services and Interment will be held on Tuesday at 11:30 am at Tree of Life Memorial Park. Donations in Eileen’s memory should be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of America, Hebrew Senior Life of Boston, MA, or the charity of your choice.

Benjamin Hyman – Of Natick, on October 23, 2020. Beloved husband of Claudia (Donahue) Hyman. Dear son of the late Wolfred and Lillian (Bluestein) Hyman. Dear brother of Wendy Hyman Segel. Dear uncle of Jamie Noone Segel. Also survived by loving cousins. Private services will be held. Remembrances to Congregation Mishkan Tefila, 384 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 02446.