GERTNER, Joseph Michael, 76, died at home on August 10 in Boston, MA. Joe was the son of Levi and Elisheva Gertner. He was raised in London, England, attending Gonville and Caius College at Cambridge University and Middlesex Hospital Medical School. He specialized in Pediatric Endocrinology, completing an exchange program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia before moving to the United States permanently in 1977. Joe lived for many years in Guilford, CT, working at Yale-New Haven Hospital. After several years as a professor at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York, Joe chose a different career path, becoming Chief Medical Officer at pharmaceutical companies in Boston and New Jersey. He and his wife moved to the Back Bay, Boston after his retirement in 2013.
Joe is survived by his wife of 53 years, Nancy, and his three children: Abigail Gertner of Arlington, MA, Matthew Gertner of Prague, Czech Republic, and Ben Gertner of Los Angeles, CA, as well as his son-in-law, Christopher Lee, and two daughters-in-law, Lucie Gertner and Maria Isabel Martinez-Gertner. He was also the loving and beloved grandfather of Alan, Isaac, Hannah, Juliana and Elizabeth. Joe is also survived by his sister, Rayah Feldman, of London, England, and many nieces and nephews.
Joe was a life-long learner, taking and teaching courses at the Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement. He was active in the community, serving as Trustee of the Vendome Condominium and as Director on the Board of the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay. He combined impressive erudition and a love of knowledge with a kind and generous disposition that drew people to him. He loved reading, science, photography, languages and many other pursuits, and was never happier than when sitting outside listening to and watching the birds.
George J. Rodman, of New Seabury (Mashpee) and West Bridgewater, formerly of Sharon and Newton, died at home in the arms of his loving wife Beth on August 10, 2018. He was 71 years old.
Born in Newton on January 14, 1947, George was the only child of the late Mary (Schlossberg) and A. Harvey Rodman. He was raised and educated in Newton, graduating from Newton South High School in 1964. George went on to study at the New England Institute of Applied Arts and Sanitary Science in Kenmore Square, Boston, where he earned his degree in Mortuary Science. He then earned his license as a Funeral Director and Embalmer in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
George began his career in funeral directing at his family’s funeral home, Schlossberg Memorial Chapel in Mattapan, which was founded by his grandfather. He continued on with them when the funeral home relocated to Canton. He moved to Sharon in 1978, where he raised his sons along with their mother Roberta. In 1992, George (from the Schlossberg family) and his partner David Brezniak (from the Levine family) founded Brezniak-Rodman Funeral Directors and built a reputation of compassionate care for bereaved families over the past 26 years. They also went on to acquire the Levine-Briss Funeral Home and were proud to remain as an independent family owned funeral home.
Past president and membership chairman of The Jewish Community Center of Stoughton, George was a member of Temple Israel in Sharon since 1978, co-chairman of the Maccabee Games, past chancellor of The Knights of Pythias, former board member of Combined Jewish Philanthropies, and a member of the Massachusetts and National Funeral Directors Associations. He was also honored to be the first recipient of the Annual Lights and Spice Ball of the JCC in recognition of service to the Jewish Community. George was also proud to have served in the Army Reserves in a medical unit.
An avid marathon runner and cyclist, for over 10 years George raised thousands of dollars for The Jimmy Fund and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute as a cyclist in the Pan-Mass Challenge and as a runner in the Boston Marathon.
May his memory be for a blessing.
He was the beloved husband of Beth (Karas) Rodman of New Seabury (Mashpee) and West Bridgewater; father of Andrew Rodman and his wife Julie of Miami, FL and Michael Rodman and his wife Rebecca of Sharon; step-father of Matthew Lechter and his wife Brittany of Franklin; grandfather of Emily, Allie, Ava, Peri, and Marcus Rodman and Nolan Lechter; and son-in-law of Martin and Sandra Karas.
Services at Temple Sinai, 25 Canton St., Sharon, Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at 10:00 am. Following interment at Sharon Memorial Park, memorial observances will be held at Temple Sinai and on Wednesday at the Rodman home in New Seabury from 3-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in George’s memory may be made to the Dr. Thomas Abrams Research Fund for GI cancer, c/o Dana Farber Cancer Institute – The Jimmy Fund, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.
Jacqueline DeJur Feinberg, 91, of Boston, Massachusetts passed away August 7, 2018 from natural causes. Born January 5, 1927 in New York, New York, Jacqueline was the daughter of Frances and Ralph DeJur. She is survived by her husband, Steven, and her three children, David, James and Mark, her brother in law, Allen Berkley, and his two children, John and Elizabeth. Jacqueline’s sister, Sandra DeJur Berkley, passed away August 1, 2002.
Originally raised in New York, New York, Jacqueline married Steven on September 5, 1954 and raised her family in Providence, Rhode Island. A graduate of Cornell University in 1948, Jacqueline had an insatiable desire for knowledge and continued her studies at the graduate school of business at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Several of her proudest accomplishments were excelling at classes taught by notable economists Paul Samuelson and Franco Modigliani.
Jacqueline was a strong supporter of numerous charities, an avid investor, collector of Asian antiques and voracious reader striving to always increase her knowledge and perspective. Her bright smile, charming personality and graciousness will be missed by all.
Services were held at Montefiore Cemetery (Queens, NY) on Thursday August 9, 2018.
Lester Goldberg-On August 5, 2018, beloved husband of Jane N. Goldberg (nee Cohen); devoted father of Sharon Goldberger and Dana Faria; loving brother of Lois (Stephen) Goldberg; dear son of the late Samuel and Rose Goldberg; cherished grandfather of Simcha, Malka, Elimelech, and Yoel Brodsky, Avrum Goldberger, and Keaton, Kaleb, and Kyler FariFuneral services will be held at Beth Shalom Congregation, Columbia, MD on Monday, August 6, at 2 pm. Interment Bnai Brith Cemetery, Worcester, MA. Please omit flowers. Contributions in his memory may be sent to Beth Shalom Congregation, 8070 Harriet Tubman Lane, Columbia, MD 21044, or the charity of your choice.
In mourning at 9283 Lapwing Court, Columbia, MD 21045, beginning Wednesday.Graveside service at B’Nai Brith cemetery, 55 Saint John’s Rd., Worcester, MA on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at 1 pm.
Bernard David Udell “Bernie”, 76, of Bedford, passed away peacefully in his sleep with his family at his side on August 4, 2018. Born November 26, 1941 in Woonsocket, RI; devoted son of Samuel and Frances (Dunn) Udell; beloved husband for 51 years of Phyllis (Trusten) Udell; loving father of Scott and his wife Shirlei, Jeffrey and his wife Suzanne, and Adam and his wife Erica; and the most cherished grandpa of Ariel, Sylvie, Claire, Harry, and Jason Udell. Founder and former owner of Middlesex Overhead Doors of Burlington.
Funeral will be held on Monday, August 6, 2018 at 10:00 am at Temple Emunah, 9 Piper Rd., Lexington; burial at East Beit Olam Cemetery, 42 Concord Rd., Wayland. Shiva will be at the Udell residence following the burial, with minyan at 7:45pm, and on Tuesday 3-5pm & 7-9pm with minyan at 7:45pm.
Expressions of sympathy in his memory may be donated to Temple Emunah or to the American Diabetes Association, 330 Congress St. 5th floor, Boston MA 02110.
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Michael A. Melvin, U.S. Air Force, died on July 21, 2018 after a long illness. He was 86 years old.
Mike was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts on March 31, 1932 to Pauline and Edward Melvin. He grew up in Methuen, where he played Football in High School and enlisted in the US Air Force in 1952. He served three years as a Radar Operator before earning his commission as a Second Lieutenant on March 4, 1955. Mike served in various roles during his Air Force career beginning as a Weapons Officer in the 57th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, “The Black Knights of Keflavik,” to his final assignment as Master Navigator and Commanding Officer of the 709th Military Airlift Squadron at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. A true Patriot, Mike served 30 years and 7 months in the US Air Force, defending the Constitution through the Vietnam Era and the Cold War.
While Mike loved the Air Force, he loved God and his family even more. An active member of St Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Parrish in Dedham, Mike served in the Choir, and loved religious and classical music, so much so that Sundays at the Melvin House were dedicated to attending Mass, classical music and intellectual reading pursuits.
Mike attended Merrimac College where he met his beloved wife, Joan Marie Echteler, whom he married on March 12, 1955. They have been married for over 63 years and have six wonderful children, Patricia, Michael, Clare Hughes, John, Katie Fitzsimmons, and Deirdre. Mike was always welcoming of his children’s friends, like Brian Falvey, whom he considered family.
As wonderful as Mike was as a father, he was an even more accomplished grandfather. He has six grandchildren that he loved deeply, including Erik Melvin, Scotty Hughes, Michael Melvin, Shannon Hughes, Patrick Melvin and his beloved granddaughter Samantha Melvin. He was a gracious and loving father-in-law to Maria Serio-Melvin and Christopher Sean Hughes. Mike also loved Loretta and Brian Herman who raised his wonderful grandson Erik.
Mike is also survived by his sister, Joanne Lambdin, of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Mike set the example for his family’s service to the Nation. His son John and three of his grandsons serve in the US Army, and his daughter Clare has spent many years in Government Service.
After retirement from the Air Force, Mike taught Electrical Engineering Technology and Computer Science at Massasoit Community College, where he challenged his students to reach for excellence in all they do. Mike was a fashion trendsetter, combining shorts, red suspenders, socks and sandals, and a pocket protector for a unique look. He was a great do-it-your-selfer, as he started many home improvement projects. A plant lover, Mike was an avid horticultural hobbyist. He loved tinkering and fixing things and was an accomplished backyard auto mechanic. A talented cook, his favorite culinary creations included linguine and clam sauce and beef bourguignon. Mike enjoyed visiting with family, talking politics, listening to classical music, and watching British Television on PBS. He had a positive impact on his family, his friends, and his students, making the world a better place. Mike will be greatly missed.
Visiting hours will be held Thursday, August 9th from 4-8 pm at the Folsom Funeral Home, 87 Milton St., Dedham. Relatives and friends are invited to go directly to St. Mary’s Church, 420 High St., Dedham for his Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, August 10th at 9 o’clock. Interment with military honors will take place at 12:30 pm at the MA National Cemetery, Bourne. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Mike’s honor to the Fisher House Foundation at www.FisherHouse.org. The Fisher House Foundation provides lodging near Military and Veterans Administration Hospitals, where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while their loved ones are receiving treatment.
Sylvia M. Nathan-of Milton and Pembroke, on August 4, 2018. Beloved wife of the late Dr. Jerome Nathan. Devoted mother of Ellen Lewin and her husband Leonard, Richard Nathan and his wife Carol, and John Nathan and his wife Annette. Loving grandmother of James Lewin and his wife Malia, and Daniel Lewin, Sarah, Molly and Lindsey Nathan. Cherished great grandmother of Kahea and Naia Lewin. Dear sister of Sidney Covall and the late Beatrice Silver. Services in the Chapel of Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, on Monday August 6, 2018 at 12:00 noon. Following interment a memorial observance will be held at the home of Ellen and Leonard Lewin until 9:00pm.In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Good Shepherd Community Care, 90 Wells Ave., Newton, MA 02459
Cohen Segal-Sylvia (Davis), age 94, of Newton and Dorchester, on August 2, 2018. Loving wife of the late Leon Cohen and the late Elliot Segal. Loving mother of Marty and Neal Cohen (Connie) and grandmother of Scott Cohen. Sylvia loved her brothers, Sydney and Ralph Davis. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and their children, and cousins. Graveside service at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA on Sunday, August 5, 2018 at 11:45 am. The family wishes to thank the staff at Seasons Hospice for their compassionate and good-hearted care during her final days. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to a charity of your choice.
David I. Kosowsky passed away peacefully at home, with his wife Ingrid by his side on July 27, 2018 after a long illness.
David was born in New York City on February 27, 1930, to Marcia Miller Kosowsky and Samuel Kosowsky, Eastern European immigrants who met in New York City. His mother contracted rheumatic fever soon after his birth and was ill for much of his young life.
In spite of the worries at home, David became a brilliant and life-long scholar. He excelled at PS 50 and JHS 115 in Washington Heights and at the Bronx High School of Science. He went on to graduate summa cum laude from the City College of New York with a degree in electrical engineering. As he would recall, engineering was a happy accident. He planned to study humanities, but when he went to sign up for classes, they were all full, and someone directed him to the sign-up for the engineering program. It turned out to be an excellent match, and after graduating, David, went on to earn a ScD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1955.
David founded Damon Engineering, later Damon Corporation, in 1961 and led it for thirty years. The company first manufactured electronics based on his graduate work and his patents in piezoelectric devices, including crystal filters that landed on the Moon with the Apollo astronauts. David was curious about how everything worked. Among his sons’ fondest memories are his asking “What do you have to know?” as they worked beside him, taking things apart and putting them back together. His interests in education and medicine led Damon to diversify into everything from high school science equipment and model rockets to medical instrumentation, clinical laboratories and biotechnology.
David married Cynthia Siegal in 1955 and they raised three sons together. David’s first marriage ended in divorce and he married his second wife, Ingrid Mehlstaubl in 1989.
Ingrid was from Munich, David from the States. David loved Gilbert & Sullivan, and Ingrid loved Wagner. Yet somehow they were each other’s perfect match, sharing a passion for the arts, exercise, good food, family, and poodles named Caesar.
Together David and Ingrid created a community of philanthropy and service in Boston and in the home they built together in West Palm Beach, Florida. Throughout his life, David devoted time to educational, medical, cultural and religious institutions, serving in leadership capacities at MIT, Boston University, Scripps Florida Council, Boston’s Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, The Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, The Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, The Palm Beach Opera, the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, Combined Jewish Philanthropies, and Temple Mishkan Tefila.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Ingrid, his son Michael and his wife Jennifer Drawbridge and their daughters Nola and Julia; his son Richard, his wife Tricia and their daughters Lila and Annie; and his son Steven, his wife Amy Warner and their daughters Nina and Grace.
The Kosowsky family would like to thank Dr. Harold Solomon, Dr. David Ryan, Dr. Jay Loeffler and Barbara Turnipfeed for their devoted care.
A memorial service will be held July 29, at 10 am at Temple Beth Shalom in Needham. Shiva to follow at the home of Steven and Amy at 626 South Street, Needham from 1:30-4:30 and 6:30-9:00.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of David Kosowsky may be made to the Massachusetts General Hospital in support of the phase II clinical trial using immunotherapy alongside radiation therapy, under the direction of Dr. Theodore Hong.
Gifts can be made online at www.massgeneral.org/donate or mailed to the MGH Development Office, attention: Meagan Coons, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540 , Boston, MA 02114. Checks payable to MGH Cancer Center. Please indicate “David Kosowsky tribute” on the memo line.
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