Obituaries

Charles Silk, age 89, of Chestnut Hill passed away peacefully with his family by his side at the VA Hospital in the early morning of Sunday, October 7. Charles was born in Boston to the late Simon and Kate Silk (Bargar). He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife, Carole (Berman) of 61 years, and his children Ellen of Sharon, Marc of Medfield and Kenneth of Brookline, and was predeceased by his oldest son, Stephen, and his sister, Roslyn Altman. He also leaves behind daughters-in-law Melissa Goodwin Silk, Abigail Gardiner Silk, and Sandi Wolchansky Silk. He was beloved by his six grandchildren Atlee, Kaitlyn, Camilla, Samuel, and Vera Silk, and Michael Broder. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Brenda Berman Leffer, and brothers-in law, Buddy Gross and Richard Leffer, as well as many cherished nieces and nephews.

Charles attended Boston English High School and Boston College before graduating from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and an MBA. He graduated from the Officer Candidate School at the Naval Station Newport, RI and was a Navy Lieutenant in the Korean War. He was a CPA and the co-founder of Business Computer Services and C. Silk and Sons Financial Advisors. He was loyal, hard working, supportive, caring and incredibly devoted to his family.

The funeral will be held at Temple Beth David, 7 Clapboardtree Street, Westwood, at 11 am on Wednesday, October 10 followed by memorial observance at his son Kenneth’s home. Shiva will continue on Thursday, October 11 at his daughter’s home from 3:00 pm-5:00 pm and 7:00 pm-9:00 pm and his son Marc’s home Friday from 2:00 pm-5:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Charles’ name to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, 72 River Park Street, Needham 02494 or the Alzheimer’s Association for Dementia Research, 309 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham 02452.

Sadie (Adelman) Stepner, age 104, of Millis, MA, formerly of Natick and Framingham, passed away October 8, 2018, surrounded by her family. She was the daughter of the late Meyer and Rachel Adelman and was married to Neil Stepner, who predeceased her.                                                                                    She was one of the first families to establish Temple Israel, Natick, and was an active member for over 60 years. In addition to raising her family she will be remembered as a renowned cake decorator and baker who composed a cookbook for her family. She also made cakes for Temple Israel and taught baking at Keefe Technical School to at-risk students. An avid world traveler, she loved London and never lost her interest for adventure. She loved shopping and dining out.                                            Interested in world and current events, she enjoyed reading good books, was a supporter of women in politics, and was a kind, loving friend to many. She will be greatly missed by her loved ones and friends, all whom she touched in so many ways during her long life.                                                                            She is survived by her son, Donald L. Stepner, Union, KY; her daughters, Laraine Stepner, Framingham, MA; Enid Stepner, Millis, MA; her brother, Harold Adelman, Freehold, NJ; grandchildren, David Stepner and Jeffrey Stepner of Kentucky; and five great-grandchildren, all of Kentucky. Four siblings predeceased her.                                                                                                                                                 Services at Temple Israel, Natick, Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 10:30 am, followed by interment at Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon, MA.                                                                                                          Donations may be made to Temple Israel of Natick, c/o The Sadie Stepner 100 Fund, 145 Hartford St., Natick, MA 01760 or to a charity of your choice.

Lawrence Robert Chester, 84, formerly of Newton, and Brookline, MA died peacefully on Oct. 6, 2018. He was the son of the late Edward and Selma Chester. Loving father of Harold Chester. Brother of Alice Schwartz, uncle of Jeffrey Schwartz, and the late Eric Schwartz, and great uncle of seven great nieces and nephews. Graveside service at Chevra Kadusha Cemetery, 19 Washington St., Woburn, MA on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018 at 1 pm.

SILIN, Rae Elizabeth (Cohen) Of Canton, MA, formerly of Newton MA, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 5, 2018. She was 93 years old. She was the beloved wife of the late Jordan Silin. Rae was born to the late Barnett and Tina (Shapiro) Cohen. Rae was a graduate of the Beth Israel nursing school. She was the loving mother of Mark Silin of Newton, MA, Dale Silin of NYC, and Wendy McAvoy and her late husband Charles of Natick, MA. She was the proud grandmother of Danielle McAvoy LaMarca and her husband Jim, Nicholas McAvoy and Ryan McAvoy. Sister of Cookie Stark and her late husband Ken, the late Helen Peters, and the late Ruthie Gordon and her husband Alec. She was the sister in-law to Morton and Irene Silin of Falmouth, ME. Funeral service will be at the Wilson Chapel, 234 Herrick Rd., Newton Centre, on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 12:30 pm. Interment to follow at Boylston Lodge Cemetery, 776 Baker St., West Roxbury. Memorial observance will be at the home of Wendy McAvoy immediately following the interment until 9:00 PM. Memorial observance will continue Thursday at Orchard Cove, 1 Del Pond Dr., Canton from 12:00 noon-3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 or online at www.alz.org.

Kenneth Mulcahy, 80, of Baldwin, NY, passed away on September 27, 2018 at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Louise (Wenzel) Mulcahy; daughters, Catherine Wells (Matt) and Paticia Mulcahy; grandsons, Logan and Colin Wells; and siblings, Gerard Mulcahy, Billy Mulcahy, Diane Raphael, and Michael Mulcahy.

Services will be announced.

Edward I. Bluestein, of Foxboro, passed away on September 29, 2018 at the age of 84, surrounded by his family. Ed is survived by his loving wife, Rosalyn. Adored father of Marc Bluestein of Brockton, Ivie Cremer and her husband Marc of N. Easton, Scott Bluestein of Sharon, and Allyson Litner and her husband Steven of Sharon. Cherished grandfather of Morgan Cremer, Ryan Litner, Brett Litner, and Drew Litner. Edward is preceded in death by his beloved granddaughter Haley Cremer, formerly of Sharon. Revered brother of Bernice Bluestein of Newton.

Ed was raised in Dorchester and served in the US Army. He worked for over 50 years as a District Sales Manager for several leading companies in the automotive and specialty heavy duty truck suspension industry. He was a gifted athlete, having played baseball in the Cleveland Indians organization, followed by years of legendary success on the softball fields. Ed was a passionate sports fan, enjoyed a good meal, but above all else he loved spending time with his family.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 12 noon, at the Sharon Memorial Park Chapel, 40 Dedham St., Sharon. Memorial observance following the burial at 8 Bramble Lane, Sharon, on Wednesday from 2-5 pm & 7-9 pm and Thursday from 2-4 pm & 7-9 pm. Donations in Edward’s memory may be made to the Haley Cremer Foundation, 14 Talcott Rd., North Easton, MA 02356.

Ruth Gordon Loventhal, of Boca Raton, FL, formerly of Newton, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on September 26, 2018. Ruth was the beloved wife of the late Ira “Sonny” Gordon and Daniel Loventhal. Longtime companion of Joseph Bergman. Devoted mother of Rick Gordon and his wife Amy, Cindy Kaplan and her husband Mark, Debra Bendetson, and Lynda Gordon and her husband Fred Gordon. Also survived by 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Dear sister of Shirley Venner, Florence Friedland, and the late Bernie Berk.

From the moment you met Ruth she became a lifelong friend. She was extremely grateful for the life she had and lived every day to its fullest. Her compassion, energy, and positive attitude will be missed by many.

Services at Temple Beth Avodah, 45 Puddingstone Lane, Newton, on Friday, September 28, 2018 at 11:30 am. Following interment at Beth Israel Memorial Park, Waltham, memorial observance will be at Hampton Place, 77 Florence St., Newton until 8:00 pm, continuing at the home of Cindy and Mark Kaplan, Saturday evening 6-9 pm, and Sunday 12-4 and 6-8 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to support the Structural Heart Disease and Education Fund at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Checks can be made payable to Brigham and Women’s Hospital with in memory of Ruth G. Loventhal in the memo line and sent to: Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Development Office, 116 Huntington Ave., 3rd floor, Boston, MA 02116.

On Tuesday September 25th, 2018, Sam Oksman, husband, brother, father, uncle, papa, passed away peacefully with family by his side at the age of 70. Sam grew up in the Boston area along with his sister Nellie Chayoun and late brother Henry Oksman. He felt great happiness in raising his 3 children, Heather Stiles, Michelle Oksman and David Oksman in Randolph and was proud and supportive of all their passions. In 2000, he married Nancy Oksman, who brought joy to his life along with their beloved pets. A lifelong Red Sox fan, Sam lived to see 3 World Series Championships and was an avid collector of cards. He loved a good meal (especially Chinese food) but not as much as he loved his grandkids of which he had 9: Brayden, Alex, Makenna, Mattie, Spencer, Zenlea, Bella Rose, Lincoln and the late Matthew. Graveside services at the Kaminker Cemetery, 776 Baker St. West Roxbury, on Friday, September 28th at 2pm. Memorial observance will be at the home of David Oksman following the service and on Sunday September 30th from 11am-6pm. Remembrances may be made to Boston Children’s Hospital or the American Diabetes Association.

Rodney S. Cohen, 69, of Natick, on September 24, 2018. Beloved husband of Sharon P. (Leibowitz) Cohen. Devoted father of Danielle, Cindy, Kenneth, Nicole, and Emma. Cherished grandfather of Marley, Makhi, Naya, Sadie, Scarlett, Pearl, and Carter. Dear brother of Laurence Cohen and Dennis Cohen.  Graveside services at the Beth El Cemetery, 774 Baker St., West Roxbury, Friday, September 28, 2018 at 10:00 am. Following services, memorial observance will be held at his late residence until 6:00 pm continuing on Saturday from 7-9 pm and Sunday 1-3 & 5-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Temple Beth Elohim, c/o Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund, 10 Bethel Rd., Wellesley, MA 02481.