Obituaries

Edward Ernest Pilat, 88, of Wellesley, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2025.

Edward was the beloved husband of Maryann, nee Grieci; the loving father of Marybeth Pilat and her husband Edward Holley, and David Pilat; devoted son of the late Frances Pilat and late Harry Pilat; dear brother of the late Barbara Abad; and proud grandfather of Sofia Pilat and the late Eli Pilat.

Edward grew up in Flushing, New York and attended P.S.22 and Flushing High School, where he graduated as valedictorian.  He attended Cornell University as an undergraduate and received a B.S. in Engineering Physics.  He also attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology and received his doctorate in Nuclear Engineering.

It was in Boston that he met his beloved Maryann, whom he married in August 1966.  Edward and Maryann spent the next six years between Boston and Maryland, establishing life-long friendships in Maryland but finally settling in Wellesley, M.A. in 1972.

Edward loved to explore new cultures and he and Maryann had the opportunity to travel broadly, but his favorite get-away was spending time with extended family in Popponesset each summer.  He would oblige an hour at the beach with everyone, but much preferred a walk in the shade and a chat with those he would meet along the way.

Edward was also an avid reader of pretty much any topic, including history, current events, poetry or even a good mystery.  He was a math enthusiast and could fill pages of notebooks with complicated formulas.  He wanted to understand how things worked and enjoyed teaching others the same.  Edward patiently took the time to explain, or at least try to explain, math homework to his kids as they were growing up- even if it ended in frustration (on the kid’s part!).  For several years, he co-taught a course at MIT in the physics program, and he also advised several post-doctoral students on their thesis.

Edward spent the first years of his retirement taking care of his first- born grandchild Eli and then later his granddaughter Sofia.  He was so proud to be a papa and cherished that time.

Edward was inherently cheerful, always with a gentle manner and warm smile.  He will be incredibly missed by his friends and family.

A memorial service will be held at 10 am Sunday, July 20, 2025, at Temple Beth Shalom, 670 Highland Ave., Needham, MA.

A link to view the livestream can be found here.

Michael Abbott Grossman, 81, beloved husband for almost 52 years of Louise, née Goldman; loving father of Emily Grossman (Tad); devoted son of the late Evelyn and the late Louis Grossman; dear brother of the late Sarita Blau (Les); fond uncle of Fred Blau (Maayan); dedicated family member and friend to many.  He will be greatly missed.

Mike grew up in Brooklyn and went to the Ethical Culture School and to Congregation Beth Elohim, where he and his parents had their B’nai Mitzvahs.  In Brooklyn, Mike’s heart was broken twice: when the Dodgers left Brooklyn, and when Mike’s mother threw out his entire collection of Dodger baseball cards.

Michael became a Massachusetts transplant after meeting his beloved Louise, whom he married in Chestnut Hill in 1973.  Throughout the next 52 years, he always recounted how much he valued her loyalty and her vibrant personality.  He was overjoyed when their daughter Emily was born. Of all the accomplishments in his life, he always said he was most proud of his family.

Michael attended NYU as an undergraduate and received graduate degrees in both applied and theoretical mathematics at the University of Chicago and SUNY Stony Brook.  He was an officer in the United States Army and served in the Army Corps of Engineers in Vietnam. After that, he was a Professor of Mathematics at Babson and Boston University.   Then, for over 36 years, he was Owner and President of Strategic Advantage, which provided support in the design, analysis and interpretation of clinical studies for medical device and pharmaceutical clients.

Mike and Louise loved to garden, play tennis and take long walks together.  Mike was an avid lap swimmer, doing 40 laps up and down the pool every summer day for years.

Michael was a devoted member of Temple Emanuel, active in the Brotherhood and its book group.  He was also a member of Beth Elohim of Wellesley.  He and Louise cared deeply about Israel and were particularly devoted to Magen David Adom.

Michael passed away after a brief but brave battle with cancer and throughout his illness brought cheer and good humor to the many friends and family members who came to visit. His family and friends always described Mike as “a great guy, a good friend, and a loving husband and father.” And that is how he will always be remembered.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, July 21^st, 2025 at 1:00 pm at Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward Street, Newton, Massachusetts.  Interment will follow at Sharon Memorial Park in Sharon, Massachusetts.  Following the burial on Monday, the Shiva will take place at Temple Emanuel in Reisman Hall starting at 5pm and minyan will be held at 7:45 pm. On Tuesday July 22nd, Shiva will take place at Temple Beth Elohim, 10 Bethel Road in Wellesley from 2-4 pm and 7-8:30 pm. Donations in Michael’s memory should go to American Friends of Magen David Adom, www.afmda.org

Gloria Haskins Monosson, 98, of Newton, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2025.

Gloria was the adored and beloved wife for 53 years of the late Sonny Monosson and the sister of the late Stanley Haskins.

She is survived by her four daughters, of whom she was very proud, Susan Monosson and her husband Al Kooper, Judith Monosson and her husband Robert Scherzer, Deborah Monosson, and Emily Monosson and her husband Ben Letcher. Also survived by her four grandchildren, Alex Scherzer, Jamie Scherzer, Sam Letcher and Sophie Letcher.

Gloria led an active and busy life, playing tennis well into her 80s and Bridge into her 90s.  She was strong and stubborn, stylish and funny, competitive (even when playing gin rummy with her grandchildren) and always loved a good game.

Gloria had an infectious and distinct laugh that is remembered by all who knew her.

She was game to go skiing and hiking with her husband and four young daughters, reluctantly, but always a good sport. She lived for a good bargain and taught her daughters the art of Filenes Basement.

She loved Nantasket Beach where she spent every summer since birth and eventually bought a house next to her parents as her family grew. She would proudly and ardently argue that there was no better beach in the world than Nantasket Beach.

Although predeceased by all her friends, Gloria always kept going with her will, her humor and her laugh.

A private memorial is planned .

PAULA KRANISH STERN died on Tuesday, July 8 at home, at peace and surrounded by love.

​​Paula was the anchor for her friends and family—family by blood and family by choice. ​So many people relied on her for guidance, support, advice, and love. The quintessential New Yorker, she delighted in opening her home to family and friends, many of whom came and stayed with her for extended lengths of time. She loved sharing New York’s theaters, museums, restaurants, and subways with people who were dear to her, ​especially her grandchildren, and she navigated the city as a master. She will be remembered for her style and elegance, her strength and courage in the face of adversity, and her graceful sense of fun and adventure.​ She had a lifelong commitment to progressive values and justice, and her commitments and activism reflected an abiding belief in (and worry for) America.

She traveled extensively throughout her life with fortunate travel partners. First she explored the United States and then the world, including Nepal, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bhutan, Thailand, China, Australia, Mexico, the Caribbean, France, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, and multiple excursions to Israel.

Paula was born on July 17, 1940, in New York, the daughter of Abraham and Dorothy Kranish. Raised in Queens, her family were founding members of Temple Isaiah in Forest Hills, where she became the first Bat Mitzvah in the synagogue’s history.

She earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from Emerson College. In her forties, she returned to school for her MSW from Columbia University, which she followed up with advanced certifications and a license as a clinical social worker with a specialty in trauma counseling.

In 1985, Paula married the love of her life, Dr. Fred Stern, in a “surprise” wedding ceremony to the delight of her family and friends. Fred died in 1997 after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease.

Paula was the beloved mother of Heidi Gold and her husband Rabbi Neal Gold of Natick, MA and Dr. Devora Lieberman and her husband John van der Wallen of Avalon, Australia; sister of Michael Kranish of Las Vegas, NV; and grandmother of Avi and Jeremy Gold. In addition, she is deeply beloved by an extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, friends, and colleagues.

The funeral will be on Sunday, July 13, at 11:00 AM at New Montefiore Cemetery in West Babylon, Long Island, followed by shiva at the Hilton Brooklyn Hotel, 140 Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, through 9:00 PM.

The family will continue to sit shiva at the home of Heidi and Neal Gold, 24 Pauline Drive, Natick, MA, on Tuesday and Wednesday 1:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00 PM, with minyanim at 8:30 PM.

Friends are encouraged to honor Paula’s memory with Tzedakah contributions to The Good People Fund (www.goodpeoplefund.org) or the Kavod Tzedakah Collective (www.kavod.org).

Her memory will always be a blessing to everyone who knew and loved her.

To view livestream, please click here.

Dr. Stanley Jacobson, 87, of Newton, died July 7, 2025.

Beloved husband of Avis G. Jacobson.  Devoted father of Arthur Jacobson and his wife Robin Seidman. Loving Grandfather of Ross and Jase Jacobson.

Dear brother-in-law to Roslyn Glattman Hirsch. Beloved uncle of Andrew, Gordon, Delling, Eric, Mark and Shara.

Graduate of University of Illinois and received PhD from Northwestern University.  Longtime Fulbright Scholar and Professor Emeritus at Tufts Medical School.

Funeral service Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at 1 pm at Sharon Memorial Park Chapel, 40 Dedham St., Sharon with interment following.  In lieu of flowers, remembrances in his memory may be made to Hillel.org

Of Brookline, MA

Sarah, the beloved wife of Frank Friedman for more than 38 years, and adored mother of Yonit Rose and Samuel Jacob (Jordan White, partner) of Brooklyn NY, died the morning of 7 July 2025 at home, at peace and surrounded by loving family more than three years after the diagnosis of lung cancer.

She was predeceased by her parents, Rochelle and Raphael Kianovsky, and her grandparents Sol and Minnie Franklin, and Isaac and Dora Kianovsky, all of Milwaukee. She also leaves her brothers Zev Kianovsky (Arlene Lukin) and Nahum Kianovsky, her Aunt Diane, and 11 nieces/nephews and their partners, and many beloved cousins and dear friends.

She studied at UW Madison followed by graduate studies in Art History at the University of Chicago. In 1991 she moved to Boston and started in 1992 at what is now The Harvard Art Museums, with what began as a 1-year, non-renewable, part-time position, before retiring in 2023 as Curator of the Collection in Modern and Contemporary Art. In response to the country’s hostility towards immigrants and asylum-seekers, in 2017 Sarah collaboratively helped found the Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network (BIJAN). She urged consideration of donations to BIJAN (in lieu of flowers).

Funeral service will be Wednesday 9 July, 11 am, at Temple Israel of Boston, 477 Longwood Ave, (please park on the Riverway) followed immediately by burial at Mt. Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St.  Shiva will commence from 2-5 pm on Wednesday at Temple Israel, and at the family home Thursday at 7 pm, Saturday at 8 pm, and Sunday at 10 am, when the family will rise from shiva.

The funeral may be viewed via Zoom: https://tisrael-org.zoom.us/j/83331876085?pwd=cEPKazmljcPV7jt9s2S6NKrXVRrRNz.1

Bijan: https://www.beyondbondboston.org

GOLDMAN, Maurice E. It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Maurice Edward Goldman of Wellesley, MA, who died peacefully, surrounded by family, at the age of 95, on July 6, 2025. Maurice was born in Philadelphia on February 1, 1930, to Sidney and Sarah Goldman. With a sharp wit and a remarkable ability to memorize Shakespearean sonnets, he charmed his Central High teachers into granting the marks that carried him to Princeton, where he left his own indelible mark. Following in his father’s footsteps, Maurice pursued a medical degree at the University of Pennsylvania, a path that eventually led him to Boston’s Beth Israel Hospital, where he did a rotation at the Shattuck Hospital. It was there he met a beautiful young nurse, “with misty, shiny eyes and a lilting Irish brogue,” newly arrived from Roscommon, Julia Kelly. Maurice knew he found the one right away, but Julia took some convincing. Ultimately, she was convinced enough to stay by his side for some 60 years, sharing their lives in Hicksville, NY, Baton Rouge, LA, Summit, NJ, Livingston, NJ, and Longboat Key, FL. Maurice’s life was filled with adventure, whether serving as a medical officer aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba, volunteering to address the 1953 dike collapses in Holland, providing critical medical care at a Hopi reservation hospital, serving in the U.S. Public Health Service, traveling to some exotic locales during his tenure as an ExxonMobil executive or managing the chaos of raising four children. Maurice received the 2003 Medical Executive Award from the New Jersey Academy of Medicine. Maurice failed retirement after leaving ExxonMobil and joined New Jersey Manufacturers, as Medical Director, where he served happily for many years before he finally accepted his gold watch. His legendary sense of humor was built on endless “Dad” jokes and musical ditties, like “The Pickle Song” and while his grandchildren endured them with groans, they also adored him for his unmatched kindness, generosity, and steadfast love. He was one of a kind on all three counts. Maurice would have joined the Polar Bear Club had he known of it, with his love for plunging into frigid waters with his SCUBA apparatus. A connoisseur of theater, music, and literature, he ran into many of the greats in the jazz clubs of Boston, from Ella to Thelonius and many more. Maurice now joins Julia in the heavens. He is deeply missed by his children and their spouses: Philip Goldman (Amy) of Minneapolis, MN, Susan Alperstein (David) of Fishkill, NY, Donna Goldman of Hoboken, NJ, and Linda Goldman (Michael) of Newton, MA. He is also mourned by his beloved grandchildren, Ariel Alperstein, Jonathan Alperstein, Nicholas Goldman (Christy), Julia Goldman, Evyan DeGeorge, Teia DeGeorge and Nadia Goldman. His memories live on with many friends and family around the world. A Funeral Service was held on July 8, 2025, at Forest Hills Cemetery, in Boston, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Save Our Seabirds in Sarasota, Florida.

On July 5, 2025, Mark Blogier of Jamaica Plain passed away at age 71.

He is survived by his children, Alexandra Blogier and her partner CJ Johnson, Seth Blogier and his wife Kate Murdoch, and his granddaughter, Maude Melrose.

He is also survived by his sister, Roz Blogier, his brother-in-law Joel Cohen, and their children and grandchildren.

Services will be held at Sharon Memorial Park on Thursday, July 10th at 1pm.

Following the services, Shiva will be at the home of Emily Rubenstein until 8pm.

Donations in Mark’s name can be made to The Boston Alliance of LGBTQ+ Youth

HARRIET (COHEN) ROBIE

A link to view the livestream funeral can be found here.

Harriet (Cohen) Robie, of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and formerly of Brockton, MA, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at the age of 79, following a brief illness. Harriet was the daughter of the late Joseph and Bessie (Dushman) Cohen. Devoted wife of 54 years to Joseph Robie. Beloved mother of Stephen and Edwina “Winnie” (Jacobson) Robie of New York, NY, and Michael and Jody (Sheffer) Robie of Natick, MA. Adored grandmother of Olivia, Jordan, and Addison Robie. Dear sister of Rosalind (Cohen) Hurwitz and Herb Stern.

Born and raised in Brockton, Harriet graduated from Brockton High School and the Chandler School for Women. Since the age of thirteen, she worked under the tutelage of her father and mentor, the late Joseph Cohen. She worked in management at Brockton East Side Package, Inc. where she learned all aspects of liquor store operations. Later, Harriet and her husband, Joseph, owned and operated the business for twenty-nine years until retirement. Harriet was well respected in the greater Brockton business community and always treated people, regardless of title or stature, with the same level of respect.
As the matriarch of her family, Harriet was passionate about her home, her family, and her community. Hardworking and industrious, Harriet was diligent and meticulous in managing her household and providing for her family. Her attention to detail was unparalleled and her home was a source of pride to share with family and friends, especially on the Jewish holidays. Harriet was also a long-time member of Temple Beth Emunah in Brockton and was very active in the Sisterhood as well as Torah Fund.

Generous and compassionate, Harriet also extended kindness and help to those in need both within her family and in the wider community. She cherished the lifelong friendships which she nurtured over the years and was instrumental in rescuing family members from the grips of antisemitism in Russia, providing them with a better life in Israel. Perhaps her most defining characteristic was her reverence and commitment to the Pride of Brockton Cemetery, where she served as Co-Chair for forty-nine years from 1958-1979 and from 1987-2015. Through her strength, dignity, and perseverance, Harriet transformed the Cemetery into a living testament of her devotion and legacy, which will continue to carry on the tradition of its namesake as one of the last remaining landmarks of what was once a thriving Jewish community with multiple synagogues and organizations.

Harriet will be remembered for her unwavering dedication, grace, and the love she poured into her family and community. Eshet Chayil (“Woman of Valor”) – May Harriet’s memory be forever an eternal blessing.

Services will be held at Temple Beth Elohim, 10 Bethel Road, Wellesley, MA, at 11:00AM, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Following interment at Pride of Brockton Cemetery, 197 South Street, Stoughton, MA, Shiva will be held at the Clubhouse at Ledgebrook, 261 Nahanton Street, Newton, MA, immediately after services from 2:00-5:00PM. Shiva will continue on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at the home of Michael and Jody Robie, 1 Northwood Lane, Wayland, MA. Visiting hours will be from 2:00-4:00PM and 6:00-8:00PM. Minyan Service will begin at 6:30PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Harriet’s name may be made to Dr. James Cleary Research Fund, c/o Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02884-9168.

Laurence “Larry” Nigrosh, 93, passed away on July 2, 2025, in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Born on August 19, 1931, and raised in Brookline, MA, Larry graduated in 1952 as a member of the inaugural class of Brandeis University. He then Joined the US Navy, where he served for four years, at the tail end of the Korean war. He worked for many years with his father at Paris Paper Box and later at his own Paris Container Corp and as a partner with Bill Cole Enterprises.

He and his wife of 52 years, Anne, raised their three children, Diane, Mark, and Jason, in Randolph and later moved to Plymouth. After Anne passed away, Larry moved to Florida where he met and married his second wife, Millicent.

Larry was a pilot of single-engine planes and spent many years with the Civil Air Patrol, training student pilots for their licenses, and running search and rescue missions for missing hikers and campers. He was a fair golfer, a good tennis player, and a senior softball champion well into his eighties.

Larry was preceded in death by both his wives, Anne and Millicent, his daughter, Diane, and his brother, Alvin. He is survived by his sister, Carol, his son Mark and his wife Elizabeth, his son Jason, and his grandchildren Hilary, Seth, Emma, and Ben.

A graveside service and burial will be held on Monday morning, July 7, 2025 at 10:45 am at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA.