Obituaries

Phyllis Sonja Solomon, daughter of the late Betty and Harry Cohen of Brockton passed away in Newton on Saturday at age 96 of heart disease.

Phyllis retired one year ago after 38 years of Public Service as a Nurse Manager in the Massachusetts PACE program where she reviewed and managed over 5000 lives during her career. Upon her retirement her important contribution to the program was memorialized with the creation of the Phyllis Solomon Award for those who strived to follow her model. She was a graduate of the Cambridge City Hospital Nursing School after graduating from Brockton High School and later pursued her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at the University of Massachusetts and Boston College School of Nursing at age 52. She worked tirelessly to improve care for the elderly, the disabled and those suffering from head injuries. In a personal letter on her retirement last year Governor Baker praised her energy, her willingness to approach patient care with an open mind and her long and dedicated commitment to public service. Countless health care workers from Atlanta to Boston benefited from her mentoring.

Phyllis and her husband helped to found and support the Solomon House at the Paul A Dever School in Taunton which is now celebrating its 75th year. In keeping with Phyllis’s interest in advocating for the disabled and impaired, she was an active Board Member of the former MARC Trust for many years. She taught her family the importance of caring, giving and hard work which she embodied in her tireless pursuit of excellence.

Phyllis is pre-deceased by her husband of 50 years, Albert and is survived by her children David and Melissa Solomon, Martin and Betsy Solomon, Robert Solomon, Richard and the late Susan Solomon, Sharon and Paul Kaliner and Sue-Ann Solomon as well as 15 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren all of whom were blessed to have known her love and benefited from her boundless energy and guidance. She leaves her brother Morton Cohen and Bobbie, Rhoda Cohen and her late brother Jerome and countless nieces and nephews. She also leaves her dear friend Marie Croisetu and her lifelong friend since age 3 Ida Tatelbaum of Dartmouth.

Graveside Services will be private on Monday, August 10.

Shiva will be via Zoom through Temple Emanuel in Newton Monday evening before sunset.
In lieu of flowers Phyllis requested that donations be made to support the nurses at Brigham and Women’s Hospital by way of the “BWH Patient Services Fund.” Memorial gifts can be made online at

bwhgiving.org/solomon or sent to BWH Development Office, 116 Huntington Ave. 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02116

Israel, Diane M., age 73, of Needham, on August 5, 2020.  Beloved wife of the late Alvin J. Israel, with whom she shared almost 49 years of blessed marriage.  Devoted mother of Jason Israel and his wife Marni of Holliston and Michelle Bistany and her husband Erik of North Reading.  Cherished and adored Mimi of Max, Sophie, and Sam Israel and Goldie Bistany.  Loving sister of Audrey Stengel. Sister-in-law and special friend to Bernice Rieders Sickle.

Diane grew up in Swampscott, MA where she developed a love for the beach.  After high school, she went on to get an Associates Degree and had a career in downtown Boston working as a legal secretary.  The love of her life was her family.  She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, reading a good book, playing Mah Jong, baking and sharing a delicious meal with family. She loved to show her grandchildren how to bake.  There was nothing better than spending a day with Mimi.  Her smile was contagious, and she made friends wherever she went.  Her positive energy always filled the room with smiles. She fought a courageous battle with cancer and she kept a positive attitude until the very end.  She will be forever missed.

Due to the pandemic and social distancing restrictions, services are private.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Diane’s memory may be made to http://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/goto/JacobSands.

Susan R. Moser-Of  Newton,on August 6, 2020.Complete notice to follow.

Picard (Gerstein), Shirley G., on August 6, 2020. Beloved wife of the late Hans Picard. Devoted mother of Michael Picard (Mary Russell), Heidi Alpert (Bruce) and Matthew Picard (Suzanne). Dear Grandmother of Alex, Marcus, David, Alyssa, Gregory and Sonia. Born in New Bedford, MA, Shirley spent much of her adolescence in Miami Beach, FL before returning to Massachusetts for the remainder of her long life. Her career was dedicated to education including nearly 30 years as a reading specialist in the New Bedford Public Schools for children with learning disabilities. Her legacy includes the many former students’ lives she influenced for the better with her teachings. She was known for her exceptionally warm personality. She took great pride in the lives and accomplishments of her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed socializing with her many friends especially in the summer at Anthony’s Beach. In her final years she was grateful for the excellent care provided by her care givers. A private graveside service will be held for family and friends at Tifereth Israel Cemetery, New Bedford, MA. Remembrances may be made to Hebrew Senior Life Employee Help Fund 1200 Centre St., Boston, MA 02131.

Robert A. Levin, 78, of Sharon MA, passed away on August 3^rd, 2020. Beloved husband of over 55 years to Elaine Levin. Devoted father of Eric Levin & his wife Margie of Needham, and Suzanne Wholley and her husband Eric of Westwood. Loving grandfather of Alexa & Taylor Levin and Sophia & Tessa Wholley. Brother of Ruth Ann Freedman of Jupiter, FL, and uncle to many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Bob served his community extensively over the years. From proudly serving on the Sharon Police Department, to his dedicated roles in the Boy Scouts of America as a Scout leader and avid memorabilia collector, as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Sharon Public Library, as Past President of the Sharon Rotary Club, active involvement in the Sharon Historical Committee, Sharon Cultural Counsel, and Sharon Boosters Club, and with continued engagement with alumni of his Belmont High class of 1959.

After years of running the family-owned business, Banly’s, in Brookline, MA, Bob held several sales roles in retail and consumer electronics. In recent years, he was able to find new roles aligned with his personal passions. He combined his sales skills with his love of collecting, becoming the owner and auctioneer for the Abdou Auction in Dedham, MA., and as he always loved to get in the car and drive, he joined a shuttle service to drive patients and special needs students.

An avid reader, Bob would often finish three or more books per week…and when not reading, collecting, or helping others, he was always on the lookout for the best sip of bourbon.

Private graveside services will be held at Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon, MA. Remembrances may be made to the Sharon Public Library Foundation, or a charity of your choice.

Joel Carl Blumsack, 79, currently of Sarasota, FL, passed away July 27, 2020. He was the son of Anna & Irving Blumsack of Lynn, MA. He received an Industrial Management degree from Lowell Technological Institute. He spent two years at Pratt and Whitney as a management trainee, 7 years in the National Guard, and the balance of his career for over 35 years at a division of Monsanto which was sold to Silgan Plastics, retiring as Director of Continual Improvement. He consulted for Silgan until age 69 when he fully retired. He had been married to his devoted wife, Judy Blumsack of Brookline, MA for 54 years. He was preceded in death by his son Craig, sister Sheila, wife Judy, and brother-in-law Jerry. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Linda and William Lichtman and their children Joe and his wife Jen, as well as Seth and his wife Pam. He is survived by son Todd, daughter-in law Laurie and grandchildren Connor and Aidan. Joel is also survived by his niece and nephew, Lisa and Ron. A man beloved by his family and friends for his love of what made life important- family, friends, generosity, being kind to others, and always doing what was right. He will be dearly missed. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in his wife Judy’s name.

Jason “Jack” Avergun passed unexpectedly on July 22, 2020 from a stroke at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Born March 7, 1935 to Eva and Abraham Avergun of Mattapan, he was the last surviving and youngest of 5 siblings; Melvin, Gloria, Phyllis and Jerome. Known as Jackie growing up, he spent summers at the family home in Hull where he enjoyed the company of friends, family and especially his many nieces and nephews.

Jack graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in mechanical engineering and a Masters in business management. He then spent his entire career with York-Borg Warner Air Conditioning Company. He married the late Marilyn (Kaplan) Avergun in 1958 and they had 2 daughters, Andrea Avergun Wexler and the late Elizabeth Avergun. After living in Randolph for over 32 years he moved to Mashpee on Cape Cod. There he was active in his community, started a weekly newspaper and organized a breakfast club and holiday events. He especially enjoyed biking, kayaking, gardening, nature walks, classical music, creative writing and time by the beach. Recently he moved to Linden Ponds in Hingham where he will be greatly missed by his new friends.

Anyone wishing to remember Jack in a special way can enjoy his favorite treat, a scoop of ice cream (or sometimes the entire pint). Don’t forget the hot fudge!

Jack is survived by his daughter Andrea Wexler, son-in-law William and his grandchildren Daniel and Haley. Due to Covid, a private burial was held on July 23 at Sharon Memorial Park. To honor Jack’s memory donations may be sent to the Falmouth Jewish Congregation, 7 Hatchwell Rd., Falmouth MA 02563.

Dr. Parviz Janfaza, 90, of Natick, MA, passed away on July 24, 2020, at Hebrew Senior Life/NewBridge on the Charles in Dedham, after a short illness. He was born March 29, 1930, in Tehran, Iran.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Fay Janfaza (Siegel), and his children David (Jackie), Andrew (Melissa) and Susan. He was the proud grandfather of Samantha and Aaron Janfaza; Rachel, Zachary, Noah and Rebecca Janfaza; and Max and Adam Poverman. He also leaves behind two brothers, Mehdi and Jahangir Janfaza, and was predeceased by siblings David Rosen, Joseph Hakim, Garchang Sandalisazan, Helen Etaat, Shalom Rosen and Naim Sand.

A noted otolaryngologist, anatomist, and surgeon, Dr. Janfaza emigrated from Iran in 1957. He completed a surgical internship in Chicago prior to settling in Boston, where he completed a residency in otolaryngology at Boston City Hospital and became a fixture in the Boston medical community for five decades. He was a Staff Otolaryngologist at Boston City Hospital, an Associate Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine, a Clinical Instructor at BU School of Medicine, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Otology and Laryngology at Harvard Medical School, and an Associate Surgeon in the Department of Otolaryngology at Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary. He spent his entire career lecturing and teaching medical students and residents at Boston’s finest teaching hospitals, where he was affectionately known as “Dr. J”.

Dr. Janfaza also had a keen eye and imagination, and continuously strived to improve the efficiency and efficacy of medical procedures. A life-long inventor, he designed and created novel medical devices, often in his home workshop. He was awarded a patent for an endoscopic operating microscope in 1994. He also spent 15 years as primary editor of a textbook, Surgical Anatomy of the Head and Neck, which was published in 2001.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Otolaryngology Resident Education Fund at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, attention Irene Hammer-McLaughlin, Development Office, 243 Charles St., Boston, MA, 02114 or Temple Israel of Natick, 145 Hartford St., Natick, MA, 01760.

A private burial service has taken place.

Flora Udwin, aged 93, passed peacefully on July 21, 2020.  Flora was born and raised in South Africa where she met the love of her life Saul.  They emigrated to Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) where they had four children.  Saul sadly passed in 1975 and Flora moved back to Cape Town.  After her children had emigrated to the USA Flora made Aliyah to Israel.  Her desire to be closer to her grandchildren brought her to Newton.

Flora is survived by 4 children and spouses, 9 grandchildren and 2 great grandsons.  She will be dearly missed but never forgotten by Leon, (Judy), Robert, (Lindy), Dennis, (Lorraine), Jennifer, (David), grandchildren – Natalie (Barb), Staci, Saul, Dana (Sam), Loren, Jackson (Julia), Erika, Sabrina, Alana and great grandchildren Asher and Ari.

Due to Covid-19 the funeral service and Shiva are private.  Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the Orchard Cove Scholarship Fund, 1 Del Pond Drive, Canton, MA 02021.

Lawrence A. Bean, age 95 of Dedham, formerly of Boynton Beach, FL, died peacefully on July 19^th, 2020. He was the devoted husband of Marilyn Bean who died in 1999, and Rosalyn Foster Bean who died in 2019, and was the loving brother of Regina Kleiman. He is survived by his children Nancy and Dick Rossman and Edward and Laurie Bean, and stepchildren Gail and Arnie Rosenberg, Robert Foster, and Lanny Foster. He was the adoring grandfather to Lauren and Steven Cook, Amy and Sam Deich, Alex and Una Bean, JD and Shanna Bean, and Amanda and Ryan Davis, and their nine great grandchildren.

Due to Covid-19 the funeral service is private, and the Shiva is private. Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the NewBridge Scholarship Fund, 5000 Great Meadow Road, Dedham, MA 02026; Temple Shir Tikva, 141 Boston Post Road, Wayland, MA 01778; or Temple Beth Elohim, 10 Bethel Road, Wellesley, MA 02481.