Obituaries

of Boston and Stockbridge, MA died peacefully on Aug. 7, 2017 after a three year battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in NYC in 1945 to the late Mort & Rita Jacobs, she was raised in Roslyn Hts, NY. Lauren graduated from the University of Buffalo and Boston University Graduate School of Social Work. She is survived by her sister Lisa Jacobs; her brother Robert Jacobs; her stepson Andy Komack; her daughters-in law Wendy Komack and Julie Ginn; her grandchildren Sam and Jessie; and her nieces Jamie Connors, Jennifer Castrillon and nephew Jason Jacobs.

 Lauren was a clinical social worker in private practice, had been an active member of NASW and taught at Simmons College. She was a founding member, along with her late husband Roy, of the Center for Arts in Natick (TCAN) and she headed the Young Masters Classical Series concerts there. She was on the executive board of the National Celiac Association (NCA), played clarinet in the Metropolitan Wind Symphony (MWS) where she met her husband Roy, and was a member of the Stockbridge Bowl Association (SBA) where a path in Bullard Woods is being named in her honor.

 A memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Sun. Sept. 24 at 5pm at Temple Beth Elohim, 10 Bethel Road, Wellesley MA. Any contributions in Lauren’s honor can be made to the organizations listed above, PFLAG and MGH Pancreatic Cancer Research Center.

Helen (Gersin) Cyker-of Chestnut Hill and Boca Raton, FL, on August 8, 2017. Beloved wife of the late Michael Cyker. Devoted mother of Mark and Diane Cyker, Eric Cyker and Terry Cater-Cyker, Howard and Julie Cyker. Cherished grandmother of Ariel Cyker and Keith Wood, Josh and Nicole Cyker, Mitchell and Jill Cater-Cyker , Zachary Cater-Cyker and Bernie Tretta, Jill Cater Cyker and Stephen Miller, Cameron Cyker and Jordan Cyker. Loving great grandmother of Devin, Selena, Kyle, Sophia, Michael, Elisha, Austin, and Jacob. Dear sister of the late Sumner Gersin. Services at Temple Beth Elohim,10 Bethel Rd., Wellesley, on Thursday, August 10, 2017 at 10:00 am. Following interment at Baker St., West Roxbury, memorial observance will be at the residence of Howard and Julie Cyker until 9:00 pm. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Dana Farber Cancer institute,  P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via www.dana-farber.org/gift

Paula Mendoza Blum was born on August 6, 1922 in Manhattan, NY and died on August 6,2017 at age 95, at her home in Westborough, Massachusetts. Paula leaves behind a beloved family including 3 children: Steven Blum (Betty), Deborah Hart (Ed) and Alison Akard (Andy).  Survivors also include grandchildren Erin Lyons, Katie Blum, Mallory Akard, Tim Hart, and great-grandchild, Samantha Lyons.  Paula lost her husband Leon in 2002; they were married for over 50 years.  She was also pre-deceased by her beloved parents, Mary and Isadore Mendoza.

Paula Blum was an amazingly accomplished person who engaged people all along her journey. Her sharp mind was never satisfied with being on the sidelines; she constantly was working for the betterment of her family, community, and professional groups.  Paula grew up in the Bronx, was first in her elementary school class, finished junior high in 2 years instead of 3, and then finished high school in 2 ½ years, graduating at 15 years old.  Paula was accepted to attend Hunter High School, the school for gifted girls in NYC. However, her mother would not allow her to ride the subway every day to the school.  She did attend Hunter College, majoring in Economics and graduating in 1944.  Paula had met her future husband Leon when they were both 10 years old, and they married in 1946 shortly after he returned from serving in WWII.  Paula worked as an accountant before marriage, then became a homemaker as was the custom at that time.  Steven and Debbie were born in the Bronx; the family moved to Glen Cove, NY when Alison was on the way.  Paula went back to college at Hofstra to obtain her Masters of Education and started her new career as a business teacher at Carle Place High School in 1964.  As an educator, Paula was notable for her involvement as the founding president of the Carle Place Teacher’s Association, was a lifelong member of the NY State United Teachers, was an active member and officer of the League of Woman’s Voters, and on the Brandeis Woman’s Committee.  Even before going back to work, Paula sold Yearbook Encyclopedias and was active in the school PTA groups.  Paula was instrumental in having Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt attend a PTA meeting at Steven’s elementary school – as she had met her several years prior.  Also notable was when Paula got Glen Cove High School to start a girls’ varsity tennis team soon after Title VIIII was enacted.

Never one to let her mind be idle, after retiring from teaching in 1984, Paula continued to be active in so many things. She was always an avid bridge player, she tutored homebound students, was a volunteer tax preparer for AARP, chaired many committees including the Film Club at her second home in Florida, and was actively involved in her temple in Glen Cove.  While she unfortunately lost her eyesight to macular degeneration in 1997, she found alternative ways to stay active taking full advantage of books on tape and other compensatory tools provided by groups for blindness and low vision.

Paula was an only child but had a large extended family of aunts, uncles and many cousins that she was very close with. Her mother Mary was very overprotective not allowing her to learn to swim or ride a bicycle.  So it was a challenge to be married to Leon, a very athletic man, who taught her to play tennis and to drive!  They loved to host tennis parties for friends and family in the back yard of their Glen Cove home.

Late in life, Paula moved to the Willows in Westborough, Massachusetts, close to the homes of Steven and Debbie. As was typical for her, Paula embraced her new community and made friends with so many there.  She played bridge, attended as many social and cultural events as possible and was able to live independently with the help of loving caregivers, Elisa Bravo and Susan Norton.  Paula Blum will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Services at Temple B’Nai Shalom, 117 East Main St., Westborough, Wednesday, August 9, 2017, at 10:00 am. Following burial at Pine Grove Cemetery, Westborough, a Celebration of Life will be held at The Willows, 1 Lyman St., Westborough from 12:30-2:30 pm. Shiva will be at the home of Steven and Betty Blum on Wednesday evening 6-8 pm.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Perkins School for the Blind, Macular Degeneration Association, and the Center for the Visually Impaired.

Larry Joel Leeder of Florida, formerly of Bucks County, PA and North Bergen, NJ died on August 6, 2017. Beloved husband of Rachel Leeder. Devoted father of Sara (Leeder) Bonin and her husband Todd Bonin, Jonathan Leeder, Aaron Leeder and his wife Alexandra Leeder. Adoring Grandpapa of Jonah and Theo Bonin and Vivienne Leeder. Loving brother of Bryna Leeder and her husband Bill Margolin, and Rochelle Leeder.  Donations in his memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or The Waltham Family School.

Services at Temple Emanuel, 385  Ward  St., Newton,on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at 10:00 am. Interment to follow at Lindwood Memorial Park,490 North St., Randolph. Memorial observance will be held at the Interfaith Chapel at Newbridge on the Charles, 5000 Great Meadow Rd., Dedham, MA, on Tuesday 1-4 & 6-8pm.

William Lobar-of Brookline, Aug 3, 2017. Beloved husband of the late Evelyn (Getman) Lobar. Graveside service at Lindwood Memorial Park, 490 North St., Randolph, on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at 1:00pm

Of Newton, on August 2, 2017. Beloved husband of Sheila M. (Waldman) Sacks. Devoted father of Donna Sacks, Joan Rosenthal (David), Nancy Dissinger, Cheryl Sacks O’Toole (John),  and the late Jeffrey Sacks. Dear grandfather of Jaclyn, Masha, and Victor Rosenthal, Amanda and Alyssa Dissinger, and Matthew and Rebecca Sacks. Great-grandfather of Mason Michael Warner. Graveside service at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon (please gather at the rear of the Administration Building), on Friday, August 4, 2017 at 1:45 pm. Following services, memorial observance will be held in the Community Room at 250 Hammond Pond Parkway, Newton, and will continue Saturday evening. Remembrances may be made to Chelsea Jewish Lifecare, 165 Captain’s Row, Chelsea, MA 02150.

David Chleck, a chemist and co-founder of Waltham-based Panametrics, Inc., has died at his home in Florida. He was 90.

Chleck, who was born in 1926 to Eastern-European Jewish immigrants in Bronx, New York, gained entry into a joint honors program at Townsend Harris High School and The City College of New York, where he studied chemistry. His studies were interrupted for two years by World War II, during which he served in the U.S. Navy and trained as a sonar operator on submarines. In 1960, Chleck co-founded Panametrics, Inc., a manufacturer of testing and process-control instrumentation. With over 1,100 employees, and offices located around the globe, the company was headquartered in the former manufacture of the Waltham Watch Company. Panametrics was sold to General Electric in 2002.

Chleck authored over fifty scientific papers and was the holder of several patents in the field of humidity sensors and their manufacturing methods. A lover of history, cars, and dixieland jazz music, he was respected and loved by employees, friends, and family alike.

Married to Gladys (Semlock) for 65 years, the couple had two daughters, Mara Levine and Risa Chleck, and two grandsons, Ross (Dana) Levine and Justin Levine. He is also survived by his nephew, Richard (Sara) Pardo, and great-nephews, Jonathan and Samuel Pardo. He was the brother of the late Joan Pardo.

A founder of Temple Beth David in Westwood, Chleck was also a longtime member and officer at Temple Ohabei Shalom in Brookline. He was elected to membership in the Cosmos Club in Washington, D.C. for original and meritorious work in science.

Together with family members, he founded the Chleck Family Foundation, a philanthropic vehicle that supports institutions in higher education, healthcare, and medical research. The foundation’s partnerships include a research fellowship at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston as well as a scholarship program at The City College of New York.

Services at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon (gather at rear of administration building), Sunday, August 6, 2017 at 11:45 am. Memorial observance at the home of Mara Levine on Sunday, 2-4 and 6-8 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in David’s memory may be made to a charity of choice.

Of Brookline, on August 1, 2017. Beloved husband of the late Barbara C. (Chamish) Yerkes. Devoted father of Susan Preminger and her husband Richard and the late Jonathan H. Yerkes. Loving grandfather of Alice and Sam Preminger. Dear brother of Helen Reinstein and Ira Yerkes. Graveside service at Lindwood Memorial Park, 490 North St., Randolph, MA, Friday, August 4, 2017 at 10:30 am. Donations in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association, 300 5^th Ave., Suite 6, Waltham, MA 02451.

of Newton Centre, on July 29, 2017. Beloved wife of the late Norton Sherman. Devoted mother of Amy Sherman, Steven Sherman and his wife Alison, and Brian Sherman and his wife Dawn. Cherished grandmother of Brendan, Alex, Michael, Zachary, Annie, Bradford, and Samantha. Dear sister of the late Janet Lovins. Claire was a passionate lover of dogs and an active member of the community supporting many philanthropies. Graveside services at Temple Israel of Boston Cemetery, 492 North Ave., Wakefield, Sunday, July 30, 2017 at 1:00 pm. Memorial observance at her late residence on Sunday from 3-6 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Claire’s memory may be made to Jewish Family Services, 1430 Main St., Waltham, MA 02451.

age 93, a resident of Randolph since 1956, passed away at his home on July 28, 2017. Mickey was a veteran, worked a long-time dry cleaning business and encountered no handyman task he couldn’t solve. A social butterfly with a quick wit and warm heart, Mickey is survived by Irene Titlebaum, his wife of 68 years, his son Kenneth Titlebaum of Waltham, MA, son-in-law Stanley Berkovitz of Boca Raton, FL, and his 4 grand-daughters that he was more than happy to tell you about: Jamie (Berkovitz) Pace of Los Angeles, CA, Alyssa Berkovitz of Waltham, MA, Stephanie Titlebaum of Boston, MA and Abigail Titlebaum of Waltham, MA. Mickey was predeceased by his daughter Lesley Berkovitz. Service to held Sunday, July 30 at 10:00am at the combined congregations of Temple Beth Abraham and Temple Beth Am, 1301 Washington St. Canton MA 02021, followed by burial at Zviller Cemetery, 776 Baker Street, West Roxbury. Memorial observance will be held at the Titlebaum residence Sunday until 7 pm and Monday from 10 am – 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to Temple Beth Am or Old Colony Hospice, 321 Manley St, West Bridgewater, MA 02379.