Obituaries

age 83, formerly of Wellesley, Framingham and Natick. Born and raised in New London, CT, passed away on April 28, 2017. She was the loved mother of Gail Kosloff (Newton), Barry Kosloff (Lusaka, Africa), Nana to Justin Gurevitch (Los Angeles), and mother-in-law to Robert Saltzman. Brother to Robert G. Pumerantz (New London, CT). Beverly was a graduate of Boston University School of Education 1956, student teacher at Countryside School (Newton), and member of Pi Lambda Theta National Honor Society. She loved working with special education students. More than 20 years in Needham Public Schools, as well as Natick and Wayland schools. Lifelong member of Hadassah and founding member of Women’s Auxiliary Leonard Morse Hospital (now MetroWest, Natick). In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hadassah.org or Special Olympics. Memorial services to be held on Wednesday, May 3 at 3:30pm Temple Beth Shalom at 670 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA. Reception to follow at the Temple.

ALEXANDER PERGAMENT-Age 26, of Boston died in his sleep April 22. Alex was the beloved son of Andrea and Russel Pergament and the adored nephew of his aunts and uncles. His cousin Sarah was like a sister to him and he was her protective older brother. Alex graduated from Newton South, where he excelled in academics and played tuba in the Symphonic band. He read a book a week since middle school, was published in a national sporting magazine at age 15, and earned the distinction of becoming an Eagle Scout. He became a Bar Mitzvah at Temple Shalom in Newton.   He volunteered several days a month at Saint Anthony’s Shrine in Downtown Crossing where he helped feed the homeless and find shelter for those in need. In Downtown Crossing he saved a young woman’s life after she collapsed on the street. He was very proud of that. He worked at Grace House in Lynn, a group home, where he taught the guys how to apply for jobs via computer and without that training they could not gain employment. He enjoyed his work at a news agency and social media startup where he will be fiercely missed. Funeral arrangements were conducted privately. In lieu of flowers tax free donations would be gratefully accepted at Grace House Institute, P.O. Box 444, Lynn, MA 01905.

Mildred (Lefkowitz) Kozinn, age 96, of Aventura, FL, formerly of Woodmere, Long Island, on April 25, 2017. Beloved wife of the late Murray Kozinn. Devoted mother of Nancy and Dr. Kenneth H. Falchuk, Dr. Wesley and Beth Kozinn, and Andrew and Carey Kozinn. Dear Grandmother of Evan and Felicia Falchuk, Bradley Falchuk, Aimee Falchuk, Benjamin and Julie Kozinn, Dr. Spencer and Amanda Kozinn, Rachel and Jon Brill, Jacob Kozinn, and Nathanial and Shannon Kozinn. Great-grandmother of Brenna, Colin and Lydia Falchuk, Isabella and Brody Falchuk, Jack and Dean Kozinn, Henry Kozinn, Joseph and Alex Brill, and Wylie, Max and Owen Kozinn. Loving sister of the late Dr. Seymour Lefkowitz.  Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Mildred was a past president of the Turnberry Chapter of Hadassah. Services at Riverside-Gordon Chapel, North Miami Beach, FL, on Sunday, April 30, 2017 at 10:30am. Interment at Beth David Memorial Gardens, Hollywood, FL. Memorial observance will be at the home of Nancy and Dr.  Kenneth H. Falchuk, Newton, MA, on Monday and Tuesday 5-9pm. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in her memory may be made to Hadassah Nurses Council, Hadassah Northeast, 1320 Centre St. #205, Newton Centre, MA 02459.

Of Randolph, on April 25, 2017. Beloved wife of the late Samuel Bernstein with whom she shared 67 years of marriage. She leaves behind three children, Leslie and Jeffrey Weiner of Randolph, Howard and Jane Bernstein of Stoughton, and Tami and Martin Teperow of Salem, NH. In addition, she leaves behind seven grandchildren, five great-granddaughters and one great-grandson. She was the sister of the late Carole Neitlich and Dr. Herbert Goldberg. Services at Temple Beth Am, 871 North Main St., Randolph, Thursday, April 27, 2017 at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at Lindwood Memorial Park. Memorial observance will be held at her residence on Thursday 6-9 pm, Friday 12-4 pm, and Saturday 6-9 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Temple Beth Am, c/o Samuel and Roberta Bernstein Scholarship Fund.

Gilman- Sylvia M. (Zuckerman), of Brockton, on April 22, 2017. Beloved wife of Richard Gilman. Devoted mother of Cindy Coughlin and her husband Jim, Lisa Juergens, Robyn Hurley and her husband Tim , and Andrea Duncan and her husband Scott. Dear grandmother of Matthew, Justin, Daniel, and Nicholas. Loving sister of Bernard Zuckerman, Louis Zuckerman, Edward Zuckerman, and the late Gerald Zuckerman and Fred Zuckerman. Also survived by Nieces and Nephews. Services at the chapel at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham Street, Sharon, on Thursday, April 27, 2017 at 2 pm. Memorial observance will be omitted. Remembrances may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284.

Sterra (Stone)Tackeff – of Dedham, formerly of Brookline, on April 22, 2017. Beloved wife of the late Bertram C. Tackeff. Devoted mother of Matthew Tackeff and his wife Elian, Roger Tackeff and his wife Maryanne, and the late Jo Ann Toledano and her surviving husband Allan and his lovely wife Roz  Garber. Loving grandmother of Michael Toledano and his wife Keren, Daniel Toledano and partner Jasmine, Samantha and partner Devon, John Tackeff, Michael Tackeff and partner Sam, and David Tackeff. Cherished great grandmother of Josiah Lev Toledano. Dear sister of the late Alvin Isaac Stone. Services at Temple Israel, 477 Longwood Ave., Boston (Parking on the Riverway),on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 10:00 am. Following interment at Adath Jeshurun Cemetery, 350 Grove St., West Roxbury, memorial observance will be held at the home of Roger and Maryanne Tackeff until 8:00pm and Thursday 2-4 & 7-9pm. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Hebrew Senior Life, 1200 Centre St., Roslindale, MA 02131..

The Honorable Jeffrey A. Abber, 55, of Malden and West Yarmouth and formerly of Brockton, passed away in the loving arms of his family after living life to the absolute fullest and showing his family how to accept death with peace and dignity. Jeff was the beloved husband of Maureen (Duffy) and adored and much loved father of Annie M. of South Boston, Zachary S. of Melrose and Caitlin R. of Somerville.

Despite a cancer diagnosis over 2 years ago, Jeff continued to live  life as he always had with compassion, strength, empathy, the most amazing positive outlook and  sense of humor.  While undergoing treatment, Jeff continued to work, travel, and golf, cook gourmet meals, spend time with family and friends, enjoy Boston sports, tell comical stories, enjoy music and simply enjoy life.  As he often said, he was not sick; he simply had cancer.  Jeff loved so many and was loved by so many.   Once Jeff met you, you were a friend for life and there was absolutely nothing that he would not do for a friend.  His generosity and thoughtfulness knew no bounds.

Jeff grew up in Brockton, the devoted son of the late Herman and Charlotte (Baskin) Abber. He was a proud graduate of Brockton High School, Brandeis University and New England School of Law.   After graduating law school, Jeff married his high school sweetheart, Maureen with whom he shared 38 years of love and 30 years of marriage.  Jeff’s greatest joy was being a father to his triplets.   He provided Annie, Zach and Cait with their moral compass and their appreciation that family matters most.  He enjoyed coaching many of their sports team and served as a coach and mentor to many in the Malden Youth Sports program.  Jeff thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his children at their Cape house; traveling; having family dinners; watching their sporting and dancing activities; watching Boston sports teams, engaging in lively discussions and simply basking in the happiness of a father who loved his three.

For over 20 years Jeff maintained a law practice in Malden, The Law Office of Jeffrey A. Abber, focusing on probate and family law. The highlight of Jeff’s career was when he was appointed an Associate Justice of the Probate and Family Court for the Middlesex County by Governor Deval Patrick. As an Associate Justice, Jeff presided initially in the Essex Probate and Family Court in Salem and more recently in the Middlesex Probate and Family Court in Cambridge.   He served as a Judicial Mentor to new judges and served on the Education Committee for the Probate and Family Court where he developed and shaped judicial education programs for the entire bench.  Jeff also advanced and taught many continuing legal education programs for the Massachusetts Bar Association and MCLE.   Jeff’s judicial colleagues appreciated Jeff’s legal wisdom; compassion; humility; sense of grace; sense of humor; wit; and exuberance.  In 2015, Jeff was recognized with the Jurist of the Year Award by the Middlesex County Bar Association.  We are eternally grateful to all of his colleagues over the years who provided a tremendous community of support to Jeff and our family.

Jeff was a past member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the Family and Probate Innes of Court, the Malden Redevelopment Authority Board of Directors, the Lions Club International and the Cape Cod Synagogue.

Jeff has left behind a legacy of love, family and friends will forever live on in the hearts of his wife, children and all who loved him.   Family meant everything to Jeff and there was nothing that he enjoyed more than spending time with his extended family.  In addition to his wife and children, Jeff is survived by his brother Russell, his sister and brother-in-law Carol and Jonathan Braverman, his brother and sister-in-law Scott and Kim and his sister-in-law Louise Duffy; his adoring nieces and nephews Allison and Jared Braverman and Brittany, Ben and Sophie Abber; his “second son”, Michael Sullivan; his “third daughter”, Jennifer DeLacey, whom he loved dearly; his beloved “little buddy” Rolo, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and colleagues.  In addition to his parents, Jeff was pre-deceased by his mother and father in-law James and Anne (Donovan) Duffy; his brother-in-law James Duffy; his close friend Jonathan Shostack and his loyal dog Rudi.

Our family will be forever grateful for the amazing and compassionate care that Jeff received at Mass General Hospital and would like to thank  Dr. Janet Murphy, Patricia Tammaro, NP,  Robyn Farrell, John Opolski, Dr. Jennifer Shin; the staff on Yawkey 7 and 8  and “Jeff’s nurses” on Lunder 10 and Lunder 9 for the love and support that they gave to Jeff and our family, especially Jen Venuti, Natalia DeMatteo, Christine Weiand and Christine Shaughnessy along with so many other amazing nurses whom Jeff loved.   Our lives are forever enriched by the friendship and compassion that you provided. We would also like to thank Diana Byomuhangi of Seasons Hospice for the care and compassion that she provided to all of us.

Services will be held at Temple Beth Avodah, 45 Puddingstone Lane, Newton Centre on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Memorial observance will be held at the Abber residence in Malden on Sunday 6:30-8:30 p.m. and   Monday 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m. and the Abber residence in West Yarmouth on Tuesday 3:00-7:00 p.m.  Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jeff’s memory may be made to Jeff’s Justice League Team, http://profile.pmc.org/TJ0082, which is riding in Jeff’s honor in the Pan Mass Challenge to raise funds for cancer research.   Jeff was immensely proud of the team’s members: his daughters Annie and Caitlin, cousin Spencer and niece Brittany who are riding as superheroes to honor our Superman.

Michael Armando DiZio died unexpectedly at his home in Holbrook, Massachusetts on March 3th at the age of 63. Michael is the son of the late Armando and Florence DiZio of Milton, MA, devoted father of Sarah Florence DiZio, and Koji and Ringo the Akitas, loving partner to Anne Stollerman DiZio, brother to Eileen Schwartz, Denise DiZio, and the late Lenore DiZio Purington. Michael was born in Boston and raised in Milton, MA. He settled in Arlington Massachusetts with his wife and daughter. He had the soul of a poet and the mind of a lawyer, he was quick witted; an avid reader with insatiable curiosity. A passionate blues fan and music lover, Michael was a talented guitarist and prolific songwriter. He was equally dedicated to his love of cinema, history, and political engagement. The Boston Globe published several of his letters to the Editor.  Recently, he retired from MIT Copytech, where he was known as kind, generous and knowledgeable.  We hope he can now meet his idols, including Rodney Dangerfield and Moe, Larry, Curly, and Shemp of The Three Stooges, jam with John Lennon, George Harrison, and Elvis, kick back to watch an old western or a Patriots game with his Father, a Sherlock Holmes movie with his mother, and take Ringo on long walks on the red clay beaches of Prince Edward Island. We hope that Mustang of yours can purr like it used to as you drive onward into the unknown. We love you all our yard, Gophero

Rose(Weinstein) Michelson-of Westwood, April 19,2017. Beloved wife of the late Barney.Devoted mother of  Marsha Michelson,and Sandra Michelson and the late Jay Michelson and his surviving wife Karen.Dear grandmother of Shana and Jordan.Dear sister of the late Isadore,Saul, David and Louis Weinstein.Dear aunt of Carol Weinstein Goldberg.Also survived by many nieces and nephews.Private graveside services were held at The Kehillath Jacob Cemetery, Baker St., West Roxbury, on Monday, April 25, 2017.

Esther (Goldman) Welling- on April 17,2017, nine days short of her 105^th birthday. Raised & lived in Brookline, then Dennis,MA and Ossining,NY.Predeceased by husband, Maurice, son, Robert, and brother Manny Goldman.Survived by son, Lee (Susan); Grandchildren Kathy Vayda (John); Karen Welling (Rick Huntress); Michael Welling (Susie); David Welling (Stefanie).Great-grandchildren Madeleine, Natalie, Matthew, Evan, Ava.  Sister-in- law Patricia Goldman; nieces, nephews. Past president of Boston Aide to the Blind, Sisterhood of Temple Ohabei Shalom and life member of many organizations.She will be remembered for her personality and sense of humor. She was blessed with a long, healthy life and a loving family. Service in the Dana Chapel on the grounds of the Adath Jeshurun Cemetery,350 Grove St., West Roxbury,MA,on Thursday, April 20,2017 at 2:00pm.