Obituaries

Haskell “Hackey” Kassler passed away on November 21, 2017 after a short illness at the age of 81. Born in Boston on February 8, 1936, he was a longtime resident of Brookline and practiced law for over 55 years in Boston. Hackey had a broad distinguished professional career, specializing in entertainment, family and civil rights law. He was a founding partner of Kassler and Feuer, later joining Casner and Edwards as partner and senior member of its Family and Probate Law Group. He also served as a conciliator, mediator and handled unique appeals in family and probate law. He was an expert in election law, recounts and litigations in Massachusetts. He participated in significant national election disputes and has written numerous articles and lectured on election law.

In 1964 as part of the Lawyers Constitutional Defense Committee, he was a volunteer lawyer in the Freedom Summer voter registration drive in Mississippi. While representing students harassed by police, he was arrested and jailed for “assault and battery on a police officer”. US Attorney General Robert Kennedy secured his release and the Department of Justice escorted him across state lines. In 1965, Hackey volunteered again to work on voter registration in New Orleans and Bogalusa, Louisiana.

Hackey was a fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He received the Massachusetts Chapter’s Haskell A. Freedman Award for service to the Bench and Bar and the Advancement of the Practice of Family Law. He also received the ORT Jurisprudence Award. He was a member of the Massachusetts Family and Probate American Inn of Court. He was named in the Best Lawyers of America publication and was identified by Boston Magazine as a Super Lawyer in Family Law and one of the top 100 lawyers in Massachusetts.

Hackey received his BA from Tufts University and his JD from Boston University School of Law. He was admitted to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bar, the United States Supreme Court, the US Court of Appeals, First and Fifth Circuits, and US District Courts of Massachusetts, Northern Mississippi and Southern Louisiana.

He was an Assistant State Attorney General, Council to the NE Region American Jewish Congress and Director of Legal Services Voluntary Defender Committee. Most recently he mentored young lawyers in the Volunteer Lawyers Project, introducing them to the probate court system.

Hackey’s contributions to community and public affairs are many. He served as Chairman Massachusetts Judicial Nominating Committee; Trustee University of Massachusetts; Chairman Massachusetts Local Redistricting Commission; and Member University of Massachusetts Building Authority. In his hometown of Brookline, Hackey was an elected Town Meeting Member for over twenty-five years and was elected to the Board of Selectman. He also served as Chairman of the Brookline Civil Rights Commission. He was a member and officer of the Brookline Democratic Town Committee.

Hackey was known for his big smile, sense of humor, warm charm, love of politics and grass roots campaigning. Hackey always put family first. He was a loving husband, an adoring father and most enthusiastic grandfather. He enjoyed spending time at their home on the Cape in Wellfleet. He loved ice cream and Asian food and was an avid fan of the Boston Celtics and Red Sox. He was always willing to take an active and progressive stand – particularly for civil rights, equality and social justice. He had an innate ability to focus on issues and forge resolutions. Hackey taught by example about peace, love and doing the honorable thing with patience and wisdom.

Hackey was the son of the late Harry Kassler and Natalie Steinberg Kassler. Hackey is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Kelligrew Kassler; his daughter Marion Kassler Canavan and husband Paul Canavan of Quincy, MA; his daughter Sarah Kassler and husband Sylvain Delboy of Paris, France; his brother Howard M. Kassler and wife Diana A. Kassler of Boston, MA; and five grandchildren: Carmela Canavan, Cameron Canavan, Zoé Delboy, Charlotte Canavan and Lou Delboy as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends. A memorial service will be held at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Columbia Point, Boston 02125 on Sunday, December 3 at 12 noon. Following the service a reception will be held until 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, 125 Broad St, 18th Floor, New York, NY, 10004 and the Southern Law Poverty Center, 400 Washington Ave, Montgomery, AL, 36104.

Frederic Alan Sharf, of Palm Beach and Chestnut Hill, a businessman, philanthropist, scholar and avid collector of forgotten treasures, died Monday, Nov. 27, 2017 in West Palm Beach after a long illness. He was 83.

“Fred was the only Renaissance man I ever met,” said his lifelong friend, Bruce Beal of Palm Beach. “He was curiously intellectual. He pursued his interests with vigor. His curiosity was infectious.”

Mr. Sharf, who turned down a job teaching history at Harvard University to go into the family business, channeled his love of history into collecting. He sought things that were overlooked by other collectors, sometimes as they were about to be discarded.

His collections included Spanish-American War illustrations, architectural drawings, automotive design drawings, Japanese Meiji period woodblock prints, fashion illustrations, 1940s British women’s wear and, most recently, cartoons.

Through his scholarship and initiative, he elevated his collectibles into museum-worthy objects. He curated exhibitions from his collections, wrote or edited more than 40 books and donated collections to museums.

He was a trustee of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; The Essex Institute (a forerunner of the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Mass.); and The Wolfsonian-FIU in Miami Beach, as well as Beth Israel Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. In 2016, Mr. Sharf and his wife, Jean, donated $1 Million to MorseLife in West Palm Beach for the senior care facility’s welcome center.

Locally, Mr. Sharf’s collections were featured in the Flagler Museum’s With a Wink and a Nod: Cartoonists of the Gilded Age in 2015 and the museum’s current exhibition, Knights of the Air Aviator Heros of World War 1, as well as the Norton Museum’s 2012 Keep Calm and Carry On: World War II and the British Home Front, 1938-1951 and 2015’s Going Places: Transportation Designs from the Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf Collection.

He also exhibited his art at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and MorseLife Health System in West Palm Beach.

Hope Alswang, the Norton Museum’s chief executive officer, remembers Mr. Sharf as one of the first supporters of the museum’s Foster + Partners-designed expansion, which is scheduled to open in February 2019.

“He was a remarkable visionary,” she said. “He was bigger than life. He was deeply engaged in what was happening culturally and he was a dear friend of the Norton.”

Mr. Sharf was born Aug. 13, 1934, in Boston. He attended Phillips Academy, Andover in Massachusetts and graduated in 1956 from Harvard University. He earned a master’s degree in history from Harvard before joining his father and uncle in M. Sharf & Co. in Boston.

Mr. Sharf built the business into a sports marketing and management company offering services to professional ice hockey and tennis athletes. In addition to Palm Beach, he and his wife resided in New York and Boston.

She recalls their first meeting at a synagogue in Boston.

“He was there with his father,” she said. “He wasn’t paying attention to the service at all. He looked up and saw me and managed to be introduced to me after the service.”

They were married for 56 years. It’s been an interesting marriage, she said. “He was absolutely fascinating and fun to be with.”

Mr. Sharf was “a bit of a character,” said resident Judie Schlager, who has known the Sharfs since before they were married. “He lived life exactly the way he wanted and he did wonderful things for many people. He will be sorely missed.”

In addition to his wife, Mr. Sharf is survived by a daughter, Lisa Sharf Green; a son-in-law, Eric Green; and two grandchildren, Parker Green and Bennett Green of New York City. A memorial service in Palm Beach is planned for a to-be-decided date in December.

WASSERMAN- Josephine (Supcoff), of Canton, formerly of Sherborn, on November 24, 2017. Beloved wife of the late Moe S. Wasserman. Devoted mother of David Wasserman and his wife Ilana Feitlowitz, Deborah Morosohk and her late husband Bruce Morosohk, and Rabbi Michael Wasserman and his wife Rabbi Elana Kanter. Dear Grandmother of Asher and Jonah Wasserman, Ellie and Shira Morosohk, and Hannah, Gabriel and Jonathan Wasserman. Loving sister of Philip Supcoff and his wife Helen. Services in The Chapel at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham Street, Sharon, on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at 10:00 am. Remembrances may be made to Hadassah-New England, 2000 Reservoir Street, Suite 103, Needham, MA 02494.

of Needham, passed away peacefully in her home on November 22 surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved daughter of the late Morris and Ruth Miller. She leaves behind her daughter, Andrea Berman and her son-in-law, Robert Jones. Sandi grew up in Boston and New Bedford and spent many, many summers by the beach at the family cottage in Hull. She loved everything about the beach and the ocean. That love was passed on to her daughter, whom she raised alone as a strong single mother. Sandi was a high school English, History and Civics teacher for her entire career, with a passion and talent for engaging the minds of students from difficult backgrounds. In the middle of her career, and while raising a teenage daughter, she went back to school and received her Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Westfield State University. She enjoyed knitting, reading, cooking for family, and chatting with dear friends. The service will be held graveside on Monday, November 27, 2017 at 11:00am at the Hebrew Home for the Aged Cemetery, 776 Baker Street in West Roxbury. This will be followed by Shiva at her home, 87 Curve Street, Needham, MA. Shiva will continue at her home through Wednesday, November 29, from 10am onward. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Vernon Cancer Center through donations to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital Charitable Foundation, 2014 Washington Street, Newton, MA 02462.

Roger G. Fox-of Chestnut Hill , on November 20, 2017. Beloved husband of Susan A. (Taymore) Fox. Devoted father of  Heidi Blau and her husband Mitch, and David Fox. Loving grandfather of Max and Jake Blau. Graveside service at Or Emet Cemetery,776 Baker St., West Roxbury, on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at 10:00 am. Following services memorial observance will be at his residence until 8:00pm, Friday 2-4pm, Saturday  5-8pm and Sunday 1-4pm. Remembrances in his memory may be made to a charity of your choice.

CHEEVER- James, of Waltham, on November 18, 2017. Beloved husband of Wendy Gerson Cheever. Devoted father of Andrea Sklar and her husband Scott. Dear grandfather of Riley, Kasey, and Ryder Sklar. Brother-in-law of Geri Gerson and the late Samuel Gerson. Uncle of Jill Mark, Dana Unger and her husband Jeffrey, and Michelle Wartell and her husband Robert. Graveside service at Mishkan Tefila Memorial Park, 2690 Centre Street, West Roxbury, on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at 11:00 am. Remembrances may be made to Friends of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. 450 Brookline Ave.,SW120, Boston, MA  02215

Of Lexington, died at age 86 at home after a long illness, on November 18. Loving husband of Barbara, father of Judith Mintz and her husband Andrew Kleppner of Arlington, Susan Mintz and her husband Bill Jaeger of Arlington, and Elissa Mintz; grandfather of Hannah Kleppner, Samuel Mintz and Harrison Mintz. Also survived by his brother, Gilbert Mintz of California.

Born in 1931 to Louis and Dorothy Mintz in Richmond Hill, New York, he attended NYU Medical school and served as a Captain in the US Army Medical Corps. He set up a private family practice in Burlington, MA, where he was beloved by generations of patients until he retired at the age of 80.

Funeral service will be held at Temple Emunah, 9 Piper Rd., Lexington, MA, on Tuesday, November 21 at 10:00 am. 

Age 89, of Canton, on November 17, 2017. Beloved husband of Rebecca (Friedman) Gerber. Devoted father of Steven and Ellen Gerber, Larry and Laurie Gerber, and Geoffrey and Laurie Gerber. Cherished grandfather of Lauren and William Lee, James, Cheryl, Jennifer, Jessica, Sam, and Jamie Gerber, and Julie and Yimi Rivera. Great-grandfather of Arabelle Lee and Shaina Gerber. Funeral services will be in New York. Local memorial observance at the home of Larry and Laurie Gerber on Wednesday 1pm-4pm & 7pm-9pm, Friday  12:00pm-2:30pm, Saturday 7pm-9:30pm and Sunday  1pm-4pm & 7pm-9pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701 or Hebrew Senior Life, 1200 Centre St., Roslindale, MA 02131.

Linda Elaine (Shapiro) Small, of Randolph, passed into eternal peace on November 14, 2017, surrounded by her loving family.  She was the wife of the late Melvyn H. Small and the beloved daughter of the late Freda and Alec Shapiro.  She leaves behind her children Ken & Roberta Small of Deerfield, IL, Carla & Roy Kiesler of Santa Barbara, CA, and Lauren Small & Chuck Silverston of Brookline, MA. She was the adored Noonie to her grandchildren Jodi, Dani, Andrew & Matan, loved by her brother Alan & Karen Shapiro, her sister Sunny & Marshall Grodberg, Susan & Joel Ostroff, and sister-in-law Helene & Joe Stone.  She was the loving aunt to her many nieces, nephews, and great-nephews. A special love carries on with her caretakers, Sherley Attis & Sonie Charles.  Linda grew up in Brookline, MA, and graduated from Brookline High School.  She then went on to The Beth Israel School of Nursing.  She was an ob/gyn nurse for many years. Linda devoted her life to her family, friends, career and the Jewish community. Linda was actively involved in Temple Beth Am in Randolph and proudly served as Sisterhood President. Everyone who knew Linda loved her dearly.  She was the most caring, loving, engaging and funny lady. She will be deeply missed and always remembered.Services will be held at Temple Beth Abraham/Temple Beth Am, 1301 Washington St., Canton, on Thursday, November 16, 2017 at 12:30pm .Following interment at Agudas Achim Cemtery ,Brockton, memorial observance will be held at the home of Lauren Small and Chuck Silverton until 9:00pm, on Friday 1-4pm , Saturday 5:30-8:00pm and Sunday 1-3pm & 7-9pm.In lieu of flowers remembrances to Friends of the Israel Defense Forces,154 Wells Ave., Newton ,MA 02459 or American Friends of Magen David Odom,www.afmda.org.

Comenitz- Jay, of Newton, on November 11, 2017. Beloved husband of Debra Schoeff-Comenitz. Loving father of Matthew and Corey. Dear son of the late Barbara and late Elliot Comenitz and Nancy Gail Comenitz. Loving brother of Nancy, Bruce and Rosalyn Comenitz, Linda and Steven Gelda, Jamie Chaloff, Jon and Linda Pressman, and Julie and Edward Carter. Devoted uncle of many nieces and nephews.  Services at Wilson Chapel, 234 Herrick Road, Newton Centre, on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at 11:00 am  Interment at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St.,Sharon.  Memorial observance on Wednesday  through 4 pm & 7-9 pm and Friday 2-4 pm at the home of Linda and Steven Gelda. Memorial observance will continue on Thursday, 2-4pm and 7-9pm at the home of Bruce and Rosalyn Comenitz.  In lieu of flowers, remembrances in his name may be made to the Corwin-Russell School, 142 North Road, Sudbury, MA. 01776.  Jay was fun loving, warm and sincere. He is and will be deeply missed.