Obituaries

Maj. Jerome F. “Jerry” Meister, (USA-ret.), age 81, of Holliston, passed away on September 3, 2016. He was the beloved husband of Cynthia (Hass) Meister with whom he shared 51 years of marriage.

Born on June 8, 1935 in Hartford, CT, he enlisted with ROTC at the University of Connecticut on January 8, 1958, and served in the U.S. Army QM Corps in various units and in a variety of positions.

Stationed at Pusan, Korea, Schenectady, NY; Ft. Benning, GA; Munich, Augsburg, Karlsruhe, Nuremberg, and New Ulm, Germany; Boston, Ft. Devens, MA; Ft. Lee, VA; San Diego, CA; Cam Ranh Bay, Saigon, Cu Chi and Long Binh, Vietnam., he was credited with seven separate campaign stars during service in Vietnam, 1965-1966 and 1970-1971.

His memorable experiences included being officer in charge of a two brigade supply point on the Vietnam border supporting 10,000 troops; 1^st Log. Cmd. Gen. Staff Briefing officer in 1965 and 1966; company commander of VII Corps designated demonstration company in Germany during 1961; and organized motor convoy from Cam Ranh Bay to Nha Trang and subsequent airlift of Jewish military personnel to Saigon for High Holiday Services in 1965.

He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with three OLCs, Meritorious Service Medal with one OLC, Army Commendation Medal with two OLCs, Humanitarian Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation (2 awards), National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with seven OLCs, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Armed Forces Honor Medal 1^st Class and Expert Infantry Badge.

After being discharged with the rank of major in 1980, he became the chief of operations of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency until his retirement in the late 1990’s.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Meister is survived by his daughter, Traci Blecher and her husband Adam; his son, Scott Meister; his grandchildren, Zachary, Brandon, and Caitlyn; his brother, Herbert Meister; and many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Joseph Meister and Estelle Spungin.

Services will be held at Temple Beth Sholom, 50 Pamela Rd., Framingham, on Monday, September 5, 2016 at 1:00 pm. Burial will follow with full military honors in the Framingham-Natick Jewish Cemetery in Natick. Memorial observance will be held at the Meister home on Monday following burial until 9 pm and Tuesday through Thursday 1-4 and 6-9 pm. There will be a Minyan service each evening at 7 pm.  In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association, 300 5^th Ave., Suite 6, Waltham, MA 02451.  Arrangements under the direction of Brezniak-Rodman Funeral Directors – brezniak-staging.fsf6vvja-liquidwebsites.com

Of Prescott, Arizona, formerly of Troy, New York, and Dorchester and Milton, on September 3, 2016.  For 70 years the cherished wife of the late Hyman L. Bloom, M.D.  Beloved daughter of the late Max and Bertha Apt.  Dear sister of the late Helen Jaffe, the late Ruth Volinsky, and the late Fagie and Leon Apt.  Devoted mother of Richard and Donald.  Graveside service at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, Sunday, September 11, 2016 at 9:45 am.  Remembrances may be made to a charity of your choice.

Nessie (Seltzer ) (Rovner)Goodman- Died Wednesday, August 31, 2016 at Orchard Cove Skilled Nursing, Canton, after a long illness. She was 92. She was born in Chelsea, daughter of Harry and Rose (Gold) Seltzer and sister of the late Isaac “Edward” Seltzer. Often called “the prettiest girl in Chelsea,” Nessie graduated from Chelsea High School and the School of Practical Art in Boston. In 1947 she married local boy, Samuel “Smiley” Rovner. During World War II, she was active in the Boston Jewish USO. At various times, she worked as an artist for a greeting card company and as a real estate agent in Marblehead. She enjoyed spending hours outside painting landscapes. All her life people responded to her glamour, style and sociability. For many years, she was always quick to join a bridgegame, go shopping, or dine with family and friends. With her late first husband, Nessie moved to Stoneham, where they owned a drug store. They later moved to Marblehead. She later married Phillip Goodman and they lived many years in Swampscott and Lake Worth, FL before his passing. She lived at Orchard Cove for the last four years. She contributed to many charitable causes, including Jewish organizations like Hadassah and Women’s ORT. She was the mother of Ellen Rovner (Michael Zimman) and Karen Rovner (Bernard Zelitch). She was step-mother of Ellen Morse (William) and the late Jeffrey Goodman. She was grandmother of Samuel Zimman, Rebecca Zelitch, Sarah Dulong, Rachel Keegan, Daniel Zimman, Rosalyn Villers, Samuel Zelitch, Stephanie Wolf, David Tanger and Melanie Goodman. She was aunt of Lee Caplan and the late Eric Caplan. She had 11 great-grandchildren who knew her as“Bubbie”.Graveside service will be held Friday, Sept. 2, 2016 at 11:00 am at Rabbi Isaac Elchonon Cemetery, 232 Fuller St., Everett. Shiva will be at the home of Ellen Rovner and Michael Zimman following the service until 4pm and Saturday from 6 to 9pm.; and Sunday at the home of Karen Rovner and Bernard Zelitch  from 1-4pm.Contributions in her name may be made to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society or charity of your choice.

Lesley Caroline Chiller, of Los Angeles, California, passed away Saturday, August 27, 2016, as a result of complications from systemic lupus erythematosus. She died at the home of her mother in Tucson, Arizona. Lesley was born July 30, 1976, in Boston and raised in Sharon, Massachusetts. Les graduated from Sharon High School where she excelled in English and writing. Following a year at the University of New Hampshire, Lesley earned a BA in Economics from the University of Massachusetts-Boston and a Certificate in Graphic Design from Pima College. An avid reader and music lover, Les enjoyed visual art, button-hunting, textiles, history, food anthropology, and politics where her deep passion for social justice was apparent. In recent years, Lesley had become a student of religion and continued to explore her own Jewish faith while learning from both Buddhist and Christian mystic traditions. Les was happiest in bed with her cats Olive and Hemingway, her love, and the latest graphic novel or Thomas Merton book. Family and friends knew Lesley to be wise and kind, but also armed with an unending sense of humor that was both intelligent and dry, even during trying times. This humor and spirit are inspiring gifts she leaves behind. Lesley is survived by her partner M. Gwin Wheatley of Los Angeles, CA; parents Robert Chiller of Newburyport, MA, and Sandra Shapiro Kramer of Tucson, AZ; sister Jennie Chiller Gordon and brother-in-law Seth Gordon of Franklin, MA; brother Matthew Chiller and sister-in-law Kate Lengyel Chiller of Fairfax, VA; grandmother Reneé A. Shapiro of Newton, MA; and longtime friend Cole Thaler of Atlanta, GA. She also leaves the joys of her life–nine nieces and nephews: Benjamin, Sophie, and Samuel Chiller; Myles and Madeline Gordon; Lawson Wheatley; and William, Annabelle, and Colton Jones. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Leonard O. Shapiro and Blossom and David Chiller. The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses of Cedars-Sinai—especially Drs. David Kawashiri, Yong-Jian Lin, Jana Posalski, and Nicholas Szumski, and Nurses Charlotte Jammott and Marney Jakubowicz. Gratitude is also extended to the Wheatley Family. Remembrances may be made in the name of Lesley Chiller to Sante D’Or Animal Rescue Foundation, in honor of Olive and Hemingway, PO Box 29076, Los Angeles, CA, 90029-0076, http://www.santedor.org/donate; The Feinstein Institute, Lupus Sisters Study, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030, https://support.northwell.edu/sslpage.aspx?pid=851 or New England Aquarium, Sea Turtle Hospital Program & Myrtle, Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110-3399, http://www.neaq.org/giving. Services in the chapel at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham Street, Sharon, on Friday, September 2, 2016 at 12 Noon. Following interment, memorial observance will be at the home of Jennie and Seth Gordon. Memorial observance will continue Saturday 7-9 pm, Sunday 1-4, 6-8 pm.

Gittelman-Lawrence C., of Norwood, on August 28, 2016. Dear son of Gertrude (Franklin) Gittelman and the late Martin Gittelman. Loving brother of the late Nancy D’Giff. Graveside services at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St. Sharon, on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at 12:45 pm. Memorial observance will be private. Remembrances may be made to a charity of your choice.

Schultz – Attorney Richard S. “Dick”, age 78, passed away on August 25, 2016 at his home in Falmouth surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer.  He is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Myrna (Natol) Schultz, daughter and son-in-law Marni and Andrew Schwartz, of Sharon, MA, and son and daughter-in-law Alan and Alisa Schultz of McLean, VA, his adoring grandchildren Samantha and Ben Schwartz, and Ellie and Toby Schultz, and his sister Joanne Frolich of Lexington, MA.  Dick was born in Brockton in 1938 to the late David and Blanche Schultz.  He graduated from Thayer Academy in 1956, Norwich University in 1960, and Boston University School of Law in 1963.  Dick served on active duty from 1963-1966 with the U.S. Army as a Captain with the 2^nd Armored Cavalry on the West German/Czechoslovakian border. Upon completion of his service, Dick returned to Brockton, where he established a very successful general law practice.  Dick was very active in professional and community organizations and received several awards for distinguish service.  He served as President of the Plymouth County Bar Association, the Brockton Kiwanis Club, and the South Area Jewish Community Center. He also served as Chairman of the Brockton Consumer Advisory Commission and was a member of the Brockton Board of Zoning Appeals, the Brockton Planning Board, and the Brockton Conservation Commission.  Dick retired to Falmouth, MA in 2000.  He remained active there, and was elected President of the Ballymeade Property Owners Association. He was an avid golfer with the Ballymeade Men’s Golf Association.  Dick was an ardent supporter and booster of his alma mater, Norwich University.  He was appointed as a member of the Norwich Board of Fellows and both he and Myrna were named as Life Members of the Norwich University Partridge Society.  He was further honored at his 55^th reunion by Norwich University with its Sustained Service Award.  He organized the Norwich Club of Cape Cod to welcome newly admitted students into the Norwich Family.  In both his long professional career and many years of devoted community service, Dick lived up to the great Norwich University tradition of the ideal “citizen soldier.”  Services will be held at noon onSunday at Temple Sinai, 25 Canton Street, Sharon.  Burial with military honors will be at Plymouth Rock Cemetery in Brockton.  Memorial observance will be at the home of Marni and Andrew Schwartz immediately following and on Monday from 2-4PM and 7-9PM.  Shiva will resume at his home on Tuesday and Wednesday from 7-9PM.  Remembrances may be made to Friends of the Colby Symposium, Norwich University, 158 Harmon Drive, Northfield, VT 05663 or The Falmouth Jewish Congregation Endowment Fund, 7 Hatchfield Road, East Falmouth, MA 02536.

Goldberg-Donald H., 82, of Newton on Aug 24. He was the loving and well-loved husband of Jeanne Goldberg, to whom he was married for 57 years; father of Lauren Goldberg and Hope Kerber, father-in-law of David Wallace and Justin Kerber, and indulgent Papa to Eli and Danny. Don was president/CEO of New England Sinai Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in Stoughton for 27 years. He was a visionary who advocated for rehabilitation medicine and hospice care before those issues were widely recognized. Don was founder and president of the National Association of Long Term Care Hospitals and a board member of the Massachusetts Hospital Association. He was a proud Boston native who graduated in 1952 from Boston Latin School and 1956 from Harvard College.  After earning a master’s degree in hospital administration from the University of Pittsburgh, Don worked at Boston City Hospital and Children’s Hospital, and directed the Hebrew Home for the Aged in Hartford, Conn., joining Sinai in 1978. Food markets throughout Italy, France and elsewhere, along with family beach vacations, provided colorful images for his lifelong photography hobby. Funeral services will be private.  Memorial observance will be at his home August 26 after 1 pm. Remembrances may be made to the Aphasia Resource Center at Boston University, 635 Commonwealth Ave. 6^th fl., Boston, MA 02215.

of Peabody, formerly of Waltham, on August 24, 2016. Beloved son of the late Alexander and Esther (Sinman) Goldman. Loving brother of Leon Goldman and his wife Phyllis. Cherished uncle of Leslie, Julie, and Adam. Graveside service at Lindwood Memorial Park, 490 North St., Randolph, Friday, August 26, 2017 at 1:30 pm. Memorial observance at the home of Leon and Phyllis Goldman, Sunday through Wednesday 1-4 & 7-9 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Paul’s memory may be made to Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02215.

Braver- Neal A., of Charlestown, on August 23, 2016. Son of the late Martin D. Braver and the late Gilda (Cooper) Eyges. Brother of James Braver and the late Amy J. Braver. Nephew of Elaine Goldenberg of Waltham. Cousin of Allan Shapiro of Byfield, MA. Graveside service at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham Street, Sharon, on Thursday, August 25, 2016 at 11:45 am. Remembrances may be made to the Riverside Community Center, 270 Bridge Street, Suite 301, Dedham, MA 02026.

Stephen M. Richmond, 77, of Newton, MA died Monday, Aug. 22,2016 at home after a courageous fight with cancer.He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Alberta (Miller) Richmond; son Larry and daughter-in-law Julie; daughter Marcy Lifter and son-in-law Les; daughter Emily and son-in-law Stephen A. Berrey; sister Eleanor Isaacson; brother-in-law William Kaye; grandchildren Zachary, Danny, Charlie, Hannah, and Sabrina; and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Cynthia and brother-in-law Michael. A native of Newton, Richmond was a 1961 graduate of Harvard University and earned his juris doctorate from Boston College in 1964. A founding and managing partner of Kaye, Fialkow, Richmond & Rothstein in Boston, he joined its successor, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, serving on its executive committee and as managing partner of its Boston office. He later practiced law with his son in Wellesley Hills. Richmond was active in numerous professional, philanthropic and community organizations, including Jewish Vocational Services, Temple Israel, and the YMCA of Greater Boston Training Inc.He was an avid golfer and traveler but found some of his greatest pleasures in spending time with his family and many close friends.A funeral service will be held Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016 at 12 noon at Temple Israel, 477 Longwood Ave., Boston (parking on The Riverway). Following interment at Sharon Memorial Park (40 Dedham Street, Sharon) the family will observe Shiva at his home until 9 p.m. Wednesday. Shiva will resume Thursday 2-4 & 7-9 p.m., Friday  2-4 p.m. and Saturday evening 7-9 p.m.In lieu flowers the family appreciates memorial donations be made to Hebrew SeniorLife, 1200 Centre St., Boston, MA 02131 or Temple Israel.