Obituaries

Kenneth Ulin, age 75, of Arlington, MA, died May 15, 2025, from heart disease. Unassuming and kind, he was happiest helping others in his work as a Medical Physicist and at home as a good neighbor and friend. Giving back was important to Ken. Should you wish to remember him with a charitable donation, please consider supporting the charity of your choice.

On October 23, 2024, Erich Goldhagen, 94, died peacefully in his home in Short Hills, New Jersey that he shared with his beloved and loving wife of 67 years, Norma Goldhagen.

Erich, born in 1930, survived the Holocaust in Chernivtsi, Ukraine (then Romania), and, as a scholar, was one of the Holocaust’s most penetrating interpreters. After being liberated by the Soviets in 1944, he and his parents fled west, living for a year in a Displaced Persons camp in Germany. As a teenager, he just walked in and attended the Nuremberg Trials. Sponsored by family friends, his family emigrated to Canada in 1948, where he went to college and at McGill University earned a master’s degree. He then migrated to the United States to enroll in a PhD program in political science at Harvard, specializing in Soviet Studies.

Erich, an old-world intellectual with encyclopedic knowledge, was a dazzling thinker and speaker and had extraordinary command of English, even though he began learning it only as a teenager after the war, in good measure by measure reading Shakespeare, whom, in conversation, he would often quote from memory. Although not a professional linguist, he was a near super-polyglot, speaking nine languages, in many of which he was virtuosic. Erich, raised in the Orthodox tradition, was wedded to his Jewishness and steeped in its culture, even though he was secular in belief. As a person, he was marked his entire life by the suffering and the loss of most of his extended family that he endured during the Holocaust. As an intellectual, he set out, clear-eyed and dispassionately, to understand and explain the Holocaust’s commission.

Erich taught one of the first courses on the Holocaust at an American university, and started in the early 1970s a quarter century run at Harvard University, at its Russian Research Center and Divinity School, teaching his legendary undergraduate General Education course Explaining the Holocaust and the Phenomenon of Genocide. His son, Daniel Jonah Goldhagen, also a former professor at Harvard, is the author of the landmark book Hitler’s Willing Executioners: Ordinary Germans and the Holocaust that changed the way much of the world understands the Holocaust. Daniel always emphasized his intellectual debt to Erich, to whom he dedicated the book. Erich’s story can be seen in Daniel’s PBS documentary Worse Than War.

In addition to his wife Norma, and his son Daniel, he is survived by his children, Benjamin Goldhagen, Ethel Bogursky, and Mayer Goldhagen, and by eight grandchildren, to whom he was a devoted Grandpa.

Andre Rosowsky died on May 8 in his 90th year. He was born in 1936 in Lille, France, and spent the first six years of his life in Paris until, in 1942, the occupying Germans instigated a massive campaign against Parisian Jews. Andre’s parents were given one night’s advance warning of their imminent arrest, and arranged for their only child to go into hiding with non-Jewish friends. Although his parents and many other members of his family were killed in Auschwitz, Andre survived the war and emigrated to the United States to be raised by an aunt and uncle in California. He studied chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, earned his PhD at the University of Rochester, and completed his post-doctoral studies at Harvard. In 1962, Andre married Erlene, and they had three children—David Rosowsky, Lisa Rosowsky, and Jessica (Rosowsky) Smith. Andre spent an impressive forty-seven years as a pharmaceutical and medicinal research chemist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, producing more than 300 publications and holding 18 patents. Brilliant and humble, with a dry wit, he devoted the latter years of his career mentoring younger scientists in grant-writing, and spent many hours after retirement keeping up with the latest developments in medicinal chemistry. In addition to his loving wife and children, Andre leaves his adored grandchildren: Madeleine, Sophie, Sam, Melissa, April, and Leo. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday May 13 at Temple Reyim, 1860 Washington Street, Auburndale, Massachusetts (with private burial to follow). The family will receive visitors for shiva from 4:00–7:00 pm on May 13 and 14 at his late residence. Online remembrances may be left at Legacy.com. Donations in Andre’s memory may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute or to Yad Vashem.

To view the livestream please click here.

Leonard Allan Mintz, 89, of Westwood, Norwood, Norton, Canton, and Indio, California, died peacefully at home. Len was predeceased by his beloved wife, Tina, and his beloved parents,  Henry & Helen. Len is survived by two daughters and their husbands, five grandchildren, two  grandchildren-in-law, and one great grandchild. Len was a proud graduate of Hebron Academy,  Hebron, Maine, later serving on the Board of Directors, and he remained a dedicated supporter and advocate of Hebron throughout his life. After graduating from Tufts University, Len successfully ran Franklin Manufacturing for many years, designing and patenting hot stamping machines still in use across the globe. Len enjoyed a long retirement, traveling in a motor home with Tina, often to the Southwestern US, which he loved. After Tina’s death, Len was blessed by connections with old and new friends. Len was a fine, gifted pianist and enjoyed sharing his musical talent with family and friends. Contributions in his memory may be made to Hebron Academy, 339 Paris Road, PO Box 309, Hebron, ME 04238-0309. Service to be held Sunday, May 11, at 10:00am at the Sharon Memorial Park Chapel, Sharon, MA, with interment to follow in the Safed section. Shiva to be held at his daughter’s house in Sharon.

To view livestream of funeral click here

Zalman S. Agus, former Professor of Medicine and Physiology, and Associate Dean of the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania died on May 7 after a short battle with cancer.  He was a world-renowned nephrologist and former Chief of the Renal-Electrolyte Section at Penn.

He was a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University and later attended medical school at the University of Maryland, after he was denied admission to Johns Hopkins due to a quota on Jewish students.  He completed his residency at the University of Maryland and a nephrology fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania.  He is the son of renowned rabbi and theologian Rabbi Jacob B. Agus and Miriam S. Agus.

Dr. Agus has served the American Society of Nephrology as Vice Chair of the Program Committee, Chair of the Nephrology Training Program Directors’ Executive Committee, and Chair of the Informatics Committee. He has served on the Executive Committee of the National Medical Advisory Board and the Board of Directors for the National Kidney Foundation. He is a past Chair of the Council on Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease of the American Heart Association, was elected to membership in the American Society for Clinical Investigation and was a fellow in the American College of Physicians. He served as a Major in the Air Force at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas in the early 1970s.

Dr. Agus authored and edited over 120 publications and is internationally recognized for his expertise in the physiology and pathophysiology of calcium, phosphate, and magnesium transport.

Along with Sondra, his loving wife and life partner of almost 62 years, they raised their family in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, except for a 2-year stint in San Antonio. Together, they helped found a Jewish day school in San Antonio, and in Cherry Hill, they helped steward and grow the Kellman Academy day school, where Zalman served as Chair of the Board. They moved several years ago, along with his service dog Doc, to the Boston area to be near two of their sons and their families. He is survived by Sondra, sons David (physician and CBS News contributor, Santa Monica, CA), Joel (attorney/financial planner, MA) and Michael, (physician, Newton, MA), as well as daughters-in-law Amy Povich Agus, Beth Agus, and Elisa Deener-Agus, nine grandchildren Eytan, Sydney, Noah, Eli, Miles, Kayla, Kobe, Sammy, Marley, and two sisters Edna and Deborah. He was predeceased by his brother Robert.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 1:00 pm EDT at Walnut Street Minyan, 858 Walnut St, Newton, MA. For those who are unable to attend in person, it will be livestreamed at https://www.walnutstreetminyan.org/live-events.html.

Interment will follow at Independent Pride Cemetery, 776 Baker Street, West Roxbury, MA.

Shiva minyanim will be at the homes of Zal’s sons in Newton, Sharon, and Los Angeles. Shacharit at 8:00 am Sunday through Thursday (Newton). Mincha at 7:00 pm, followed by Maariv 8:00 pm Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday (Newton), and Tuesday (Sharon).

Contributions in memory of Zalman Agus z”l may be made to America’s Vet Dogs.

Kenneth Erwin Karger, of Framingham, formerly of Newton, died on May 5, 2025. He was a graduate of Boston Latin School, Boston University, and Boston University Law School on the Law Review.  Ken served as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) in the US Army for three years, then graduated Bentley College with top honors in a Degree of Accounting.  He was an elected Town Member in Brookline. After being legal counsel at Honeywell for many years, he founded a private commercial law practice in Boston for over 60 years representing many large corporations in the development of the computer industry throughout the country and abroad.   He was a former President of Temple Reyim, in Newton, and a long- standing member of Wightman Tennis Center.  A season ticket holder of many Boston teams and an avid sports fan, he also enjoyed skiing and spending holidays on Nantucket with old friends.

Son of Charles and Ruth Karger, brother of Barry Karger, Ken was a loving husband to Margery (Bloch) for 63 years, a devoted father to Daniel and Lisa (Pollino) Karger, Bill and Tracey (Kagno) Karger, and a proud grandfather of Jake and Kristie (VosWinkel), Jackie, Max and Emily Karger.   Ken was hardworking, well respected and cared deeply for his family and many friends.

Funeral services will be graveside at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 11:45 am.  Shiva will be observed immediately following at his residence, and on Friday, May 9th from 3-7 pm.

Marc S. Miller of Dedham, on May 6, 2025.

Adored son of Roanne Miller and the late Robert Miller. Loving brother of Jonathan Miller and sister-in-law Alycia Miller. Loved uncle of Travis Miller.

Services at Beit Olam Cemetery, 42 Concord Road, Wayland, Friday, May 9, 2025 at 10AM.

Following services, Memorial observances at Jonathan and Alycia’s residence until 5pm. Shiva will continue at Roanne’s home Saturday 7-9pm and Sunday 2-6 pm.

Kindly omit flowers. Donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

To view the livestream please click here.

DUKAKIS, Katharine (Kitty) Dickson, 88, of Brookline, died surrounded by her family on March 21, 2025. Kitty is survived by her husband of 63 years, Michael S. Dukakis; son, John Dukakis; daughters, Andrea and Kara Dukakis; grandchildren, Ali Dukakis, Peter Dukakis, Sofia Dukakis, Alana Dukakis, Niko Hereford, Olivia Onek and Nora Onek; sons-in-law, John Hereford and David Onek; nephews, Rob and Mike Shain; niece, Betsy Barry. Kitty was preceded in death by granddaughter Jobie Hereford.  A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on May 11, 2025, in the Roberts-Dubbs Auditorium at Brookline High School.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jobie Project, supporting pediatric brain tumor research at Dana Farber, in memory of Kitty’s granddaughter, Jobie. Checks can be made out to “American Endowment Foundation – FBO Jobie Project DAF H23058” and mailed to American Endowment Foundation, Attn: Accounting, 5700 Darrow Rd Suite 118, Hudson, OH, 44236. Donations can also be made to RefugePoint, which provides support for refugees, online at www.refugepoint.org/give or by mail to RefugePoint, 89 South Street, Suite 802, Boston, MA 02111.

Lila Goldstein passed away on May 4th at the age of 92. She was a creative, sharp, hilarious woman with a generous heart. She was a book brimming with life, filled with stories, and memories. Her children and her grandchildren were her absolute greatest pride and joy until her last day.

Lila was consumed by her love for adventure, her love of family, and by the pride of the legend she left behind which exists in each of us that carry the Goldstein, White, Theriault, and Macklin names.

Known as Nana to her grandchildren, Lila was a spitfire. A timeless comedienne who served as President of her own country. She was born and raised in New York City. Her parents, Harry and Sarah Sherry, emigrated from Russia and sold linens at their modest shop in the Bronx. They taught her patience, hard work, and Jewish values which she carried with her throughout her life and passed on to her children and grandchildren. Her prowess as a teacher, artist, life-long learner, adventurer, and grandmother showed us how important laughter is in a world plagued by divisive politics, societal inequities, and international conflict. She consumed knowledge at an incredible rate for a woman 92 years young – loving her news channels, but most of all, her exclusive time with Lester Holt as he hosted the evening news.

Lila knew the importance of travel and cultural immersion and spent every opportunity encouraging her family to explore – nurturing a curiosity for life within each of us. She was brave and fearless. And she instilled those same qualities in those closest to her.

She attended Brandeis University and Hunter College to become an elementary school teacher, later putting her skills to use teaching English as a second language and at Jewish religious schools where she made life-changing impacts on young lives. She created a prolific collection of beautiful paintings that are exhibited in the homes of friends and family across the globe. They fill us with pride and they will live on in her honor.

Lila is predeceased by her devoted husband of 47 years, Dr. Harold M. Goldstein and her sister Miriam Blaustein. She is survived by her four children – Debora (Peter), Mark (Amy), Seth (Genalin), and Michelle (Matthew), her nine grandchildren – Hallie (Michael), Kayla, Noah, Sam, Rachel, Michael, Kelly (Adam), Jessica, and Brendan, and her great granddaughter, Gayle. She touched the lives of our family, friends, and strangers as she even recently rolled up to any location in her wheelchair, whether it be her favorite cafe, opera or dialysis, dressed to the nines and exuding confidence and charm. Thank you to all of Nana Lila’s care takers, drivers, physical therapists and doctors – “Team Lila” – for keeping her comfortable and nurtured, and for extending her life so we could enjoy her eternal optimism. We are forever grateful to you: Rita, Joyce, Sophia, Dawn, Gurzel, Diana, Donavan, Rosie, Joe, Gerard, Tina and Dr. Ronald Goldin.

Lila’s funeral will be at Temple Beth Elohim, 10 Bethel Rd, Wellesley, MA at 10:30am Friday, May 9th. Burial will then be at Westview Cemetery, 520 Bedford St, Lexington, MA.  After the burial from 1:30-4:00pm friends are invited to join the family for an informal lunch and Shiva at the home of Debora and Peter White.  We also invite Shiva visitors on Saturday May 10th from 5:00-8:00pm. Lila was an incredible woman who will live forever in our hearts.

Donations in memory of Lila Goldstein may be made to Wellesley A better Chance.