Obituaries

Born in Jinzhou, China, and resident of Newton, MA, passed away on July 29, 2019. Beloved wife of Dr. Glen Raffel. Dear daughter of Youkun Quan and the late Guoying Chen. Devoted and proud mother of Talia and Max Raffel. Loving sister of Xin and Tong Chen. Feng graduated Peking University, achieved her doctorate at MIT and completed her post-doctoral study at Harvard. She was former Editor-in-Chief for Molecular Cell, and director and executive publisher for American Chemical Society. Service at Temple Shalom, 175 Temple St., Newton, MA on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at 1:30 pm. Shiva observance will begin following services at Temple Shalom, with Minyan at 5:30 pm. Shiva will continue at the family home Thursday 4–7 pm with Minyan at 6:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Feng’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Harold M. Trager-of Needham, on July 27, 2019.For over 60 years he was the beloved husband of Verna (Shaer) Trager. Dear son of the late Abraham “Al” Trager and Helen (Koor) Trager. Devoted father of Marcy Poirier and her husband Robert, and Lawrence Trager. Loving grandfather of Tyler Poirier and his wife Shannon, Danielle, Lauren, Aidan, Jaelin,and the late Jordan Poirier. Cherished great-grandfather of Elijah. Services at The Wilson Chapel, 234 Herrick Rd., Newton Centre, on Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at 1:00 pm.Following interment at Sharon Memorial Park, family and friends are invited to the Newton Marriott, 2345 Commonwealth Ave., Newton until 8:00 pm.Harold was a kind and gentle man with a big heart always available to his family and his wonderful friends. A very special thank you to the Stanley Tippett Hospice Home in Needham.

Joseph Bennett Feinstein, 90, Boston born and bred, died surrounded by family on July 25, 2019. Son of I. Albert and Fannie Feinstein, of blessed memory. Youngest sibling of Bernice (Sam) Goldstein, Macy Feinstein, and Steve Feinstein, survived by sisters-in-law Anita Feinstein and Zip Feinstein. He was a lifelong Boston sports fan and was especially excited when the Red Sox finally broke the curse. He graduated from Cornell University in 1949. He raised his family in Newton, MA. He was a longtime member of Temple Emanuel in Newton where he served as President of the Brotherhood and oversaw volunteer efforts at Sunday’s Bread Food Pantry. He then lived for many years on Cape Cod in the house he called “my grandchildren’s dream.” He and his beloved wife recently celebrated 60 years of wedded bliss. He is survived by his devoted wife, Lilo Feinstein, daughters Deborah (David) Oleshansky, Vicki Borten, and Lori (Alex) Riseman, grandchildren Ben, Bryna and Raeruth Oleshansky, Lilli and Andrew Dale, Ariel, Sophia and Matthew Riseman, Eisik, Ross, Simeon, and Joshua Borten. Graveside service officiated by Rabbi Louis Polisson at 3:00 pm on Monday, July 29, 2019 at Beit Olam East Cemetery, 42 Concord Rd, Wayland. Please make donations in his memory to the charity of your choice. 

Arthur Orenberg of Lexington, MA died peacefully at home with his children by his side on July 26, 2019. He was the beloved husband of the late Annabelle (Ellis) Orenberg for 66 years and the loving brother of the late Naomi (Orenberg) Cherny,  the late George Orenberg, and the late Sumner Orenberg.

Arthur was born in Roxbury, MA. He graduated from Boston Latin School, and after serving in the US Navy, graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Arthur worked at RCA and was instrumental in creating the Atomic Clock and the automation of Disneyworld. He later established his own consulting company in energy management.

Arthur was a devoted father to his daughters, Joan Orenberg of Florida, Ellen Chertov and her husband Leny of West Roxbury, and his late son Robert Orenberg. He was the adored grandpa of Mick, Alex and Jessica and the proud uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Arthur was a founding member of Temple Emunah and a long-time member of the Brotherhood. He passed his great love of music, scrabble and parchisi to his children and grandchildren, and enjoyed season tickets to the Red Sox for many years.

Funeral services on Sunday, July 28, 2019 at 10:00 am at Temple Emunah, 9 Piper Rd., Lexington, MA, followed by interment at Anshei Sfard Cemetery, 776 Baker St., West Roxbury, MA.

Shiva will be at the home of Ellen and Leny Chertov, 116 Mt. Vernon St., West Roxbury, immediately following the interment until 8:00 pm, Minyan at 7:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CareDimensions at www.caredimensions.org or to Temple Emunah,9 Piper Rd., Lexington, MA.

Marcus “Marc” G. Karel, PhD, formerly of Newton, MA, died on July 25, 2019 at a hospice house in Lincoln, MA. He was 91 years old. Holocaust survivor, immigrant, beloved son, brother, husband, father and uncle; inspiring professor, brilliant researcher, respected author, colleague, mentor, friend- Marc Karel was all of these.

Marc was the elder of two children born to David and Cila (Lipschutz) Karel in Lvov, Poland (now Lviv, Ukraine) in 1928. David Karel, along with his brothers, created and successfully ran a small chain of women’s clothing stores in Lvov.

War arrived in Poland in 1939: the family business was lost, relatives scattered – most were murdered. During the worst period, Marc, his younger sister Rena and their parents together spent the last 22 months of the war in hiding. To say they were often hungry would be an understatement; that they survived is miraculous.

After the war, Marc and his family moved westward, eventually immigrating to the United States, where they settled in Newton, just outside of Boston. Marc completed his bachelor’s degree (1955) at Boston University and doctorate (1960) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In 1956 Marc met the love of his life, Carolyn Frances Weeks, a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and two years later they married. Together, Marc and Cal raised four children and welcomed four grandchildren into their family. In 2008, on the eve of their ‘golden’ wedding anniversary, these were some of the words Marc wrote to his wife: “…. no money in the world can buy what we have given each other for fifty years… ”

In America, Marc achieved his childhood dream of becoming an engineer. Marc began his long career at MIT as a laboratory assistant and graduate student in 1951 and rose quickly to become a tenured Professor of Chemical and Food Engineering in the Department of Chemical Engineering. Eventually he became a Professor Emeritus there.

After MIT closed its Food Science department in 1988, Marc was invited to join the Chemical Engineering department as State of New Jersey Professor of Food Science at Rutgers University in 1989; he transitioned to Emeritus status there also, in 1996.

Marc is known and respected worldwide for his work in food engineering, food processing, and the physical chemistry of foods. His long and celebrated career took him to lecture, collaborate or consult on four continents.

Here, perhaps, is the secret of his success: among Marc’s most important skills were the ability to build teams, manage people (gently), nurture talent, and create a family environment. This is why Marc was so beloved by his colleagues and students.

Marc received many awards and honorary doctorates, but the one he was most proud of was given to him early in his career in 1970: the First William V. Cruess Award for Excellence in Teaching, from the Institute of Food Technologists.

Marc’s exceptional abilities as a teacher and mentor are clearly reflected in the achievements of his former graduate students – many of them went on to great success in academia and industry around the world.

When he wasn’t teaching, writing, researching, consulting (NASA, Pillsbury, M&M Mars, Du Pont, and many others) or spending time with his family, Marc enjoyed reading fiction and non-fiction, traveling near and far, swimming, cross-country skiing, and hiking (he was a proud member of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Four Thousand Footer Club). In his younger days, he was also known to enjoy an occasional glass of scotch.

Highly educated, multi-lingual (Polish, Russian, German, Hebrew, and English), world traveler, a lover of the arts (museums, theatre, music, films), generous and kind-hearted; Marc Karel was many things, but he was never pretentious or boring!

Marc is survived by his wife of almost 61 years, Carolyn Frances (Weeks) Karel; son Steven Karel (Lizbeth Hedstrom) of Auburndale, daughters Karen Karel of Waltham and Debra Karel Nardone (Mark Nardone) of Holliston; four grandchildren: Amanda Nardone, Kristen Nardone, Emma Griffith and Bennet Karel; sister Rena Carmel, niece Julia Carmel, and great-nephew David Carmel, all of Newton Highlands; Leslie Griffith of Weston (mother of Emma and Ben); nephew James Weeks, Jr. and family, and niece Sharon Weeks Mancini and family, all of Utah. Marc was predeceased by his parents, by his brother-in-law James Weeks and sister-in-law Jean Weeks, and by his eldest daughter Linda L. Karel, MD.

Funeral arrangements were private. A celebration of Marc’s life will take place later this year. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross.

Diane, known as “Dee” by many of her friends and loved ones, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2019 in Peabody, MA.

Dee was born in New York in February, 1928. She attended The College of Idaho and then transferred to Simmons College of Boston, where she received a Library Science degree. She began her career as a children’s librarian before putting aside her career to lovingly raise four children.  She was an avid artisan of craftwork and her creations varied from beaded flower arrangements and hand-sewn traditional American quilts to knitted clothing. Beginning in the 1960s, Dee was actively involved with Temple Israel of Boston, tirelessly volunteering in many ways over the years.

In the 1980s, Dee began working for Operation Able, a non-profit organization providing training and employment services for job seekers. Dee had a keen intellect and was a skilled player of contract and duplicate bridge, and she enjoyed sharing her knowledge by teaching bridge classes.

Dee was the loving sister to Charna and Alan; loving mother to Dan, Michael, Dave, and Janet; loving mother-in-law to Lauren, Shannon, and Dan; loving grandmother to Jenny, Alex, Rebecca, Samuel, Arielle, Alex, and Jacob; and loving great-grandmother to Mia, Lola, and Isla.

A celebration of Dee’s life will be held at a later date. Contact the Brezniak Rodman Funeral Home in Newton, MA for further information. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Operation ABLE, 174 Portland Street, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02114, https://operationable.net/donate or American Brain Foundation, 201 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55415, https://www.americanbrainfoundation.org/

Gustman, Janice F. (Reiter), of Hanover, NH, on July 22, 2019. Beloved wife of Alan Gustman. Devoted mother of Sam Gustman and his wife Jana, Evelyn Gustman, and Mara Sherman and her husband Rob. Proud grandmother of Justine, Rayna, Jake, Josee, and Gus. Loving sister of Barry Reiter. In addition to raising her family, Janice was active in the Upper Valley Jewish Community Public Schools, and at “David’s House.” You could often find her volunteering time at the “Pink Smock” at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. The friendships Janice forged with “Playgroup” and throughout the community, were at the center of the family life. The last 17 years have been solely dedicated to her beautiful grandchildren. Services are private. Donations in Janice’s memory may be made to the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative + Hospice Care, 154 Hitchcock Loop Rd., Lebanon, NH 03756, or the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, 1 Medical Center Dr., Lebanon, NH 03756. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Norris Cotton Cancer Center, and the Jack Byrne Center for the care and support she received throughout her illness.

Kurt J.Isselbacher- Physician-Scientist of Newton and Woods Hole, MA, on July 18, 2019. Beloved husband of the late Rhoda Solin Isselbacher. Devoted father of Dr. Kate Isselbacher and her husband, Dr. Alan Epstein, Jody Isselbacher, Esq., Dr. Eric Isselbacher and his wife, Dr. Anne Becker, and the late Lisa Isselbacher and her surviving husband Juan Ramirez. Cherished grandfather of Alexandra Epstein and her husband William Gordon, Jennifer Coukos, Brian Isselbacher, Andrew (AJ) Coukos, Adam Isselbacher, and Juliet, Isabel and Henry Isselbacher. And cherished great-grandfather of Maya and Scarlett Gordon. Services at Temple Reyim, 1860 Washington Street, Newton, MA, on Sunday, July 21, 2019 at 9:00 AM. Interment in the Woods Hole Village Cemetery, 22 Church Street, Woods Hole at 1:30 PM. Memorial observance at his Newton residence Monday and Tuesday 6-9 PM. In lieu of flowers, remembrances to The Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, 149 13th St., Charlestown, MA 02129.

Robert Edward Epstein, age 93, of Delray Beach,FL passed away on July 12, 2019. Beloved husband of the late Marilyn Epstein; Cherished uncle of Richard (Jane) Feinberg, Stephen Feinberg, Arthur (Karen) Feinberg, and James Feinberg. Service at  Sharon Memorial Park Chapel, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA, Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at 12:00 noon. Donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors.