Obituaries

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Fred Ezekiel loved four institutions: His family, Temple Emunah in Lexington, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the United States of America. They gave him the life he lived. He died peacefully in his sleep Sunday morning, February 9, 2025.

He is survived by his daughter, Karen Ezekiel Handmaker (David Handmaker), his son, David Ezekiel (Elise Richman Ezekiel), grandchildren Maina Handmaker (Richard Joyce), Orli Handmaker (Sam Howe), Callan Handmaker, Hilana Ezekiel (Adam Schlitt), Micah Ezekiel and Nili Ezekiel, great grandsons Tavi Howe and Ronen Joyce, his sister, Flo Urbach, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his wife, Bess Ezekiel, sisters, Clarette Freedman and May Stein, brother, Shaoul Ezekiel, and his parents, Naima and David.

Born in June 1929 in Baghdad, Iraq, Fredrick David Ezekiel of Lexington grew up focused on his education. In Iraq, he attended the Baghdad Alliance Israelite Universelle and the American Jesuit Baghdad College, the latter a rather uncommon place for a Jewish boy to attend high school.

He was accepted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with help from his Jesuit teachers and his considerable brain power. His arrival in America in 1948 marked the beginning of the end for Iraq’s “Babylonian” Jews. A few years after Fred left Baghdad nearly all would be expelled after more than 2,000 years.

The United States enabled the brilliant Fred to live the life he wanted – a life that would not have been possible in his native country. He earned several degrees including a doctorate in mechanical engineering from MIT and became an assistant professor. He continually credited education and MIT as his tickets to success.

As he was starting his career, he wanted to look for a wife. He met Bessie Robinson of Brookline and proposed within a month. They were married at the MIT Chapel in August 1956. He became a U.S. citizen in 1959. Fred and Bess built a family together. They welcomed Karen in 1957, and David in 1960.

His career took off as his children grew older. He left MIT and worked for several years as a consultant to technology companies and later started his own company, Servoflo Corporation, in 1977. He sold his own inventions, including the patented magnetic shaft seal for computer hard drives. He and Bess made the magnetic liquid in their own basement! In the 1990s, his son David joined him at Servoflo, building a successful electronics distribution company.

Fred took an active role at the local synagogue, Temple Emunah. While not a particularly spiritual man, he valued the Jewish traditions and the communities that formed out of religious observance. He served as the congregation president in the ‘70s. In the last 15 years, he was primarily concerned with fostering social connection and shared interests among congregants. Just over a decade ago, he endowed the Ladle Fund to bring people together through social events at synagogue.

Fred lived the American dream. He was an entrepreneur and family man thankful to his adopted country. He had a sense of civic pride evident in his desire to build social connections among countrymen, coreligionists, and family members, whether at Emunah, MIT, or beyond. All who knew him will miss him dearly.

The funeral will be at 1pm on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at Temple Emunah, 9 Piper Road, Lexington, MA 02421. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Fred’s honor to the Temple Emunah Ladle Fund or the MIT Education Innovation Funds for Teaching and Learning.

A link to view the livestream funeral service can be found here.

Steven M. Goldstein, husband, father, grandfather, brother, scholar, and teacher passed away on February 10, 2025, at the age of 84. Steve Goldstein was the Sophia Smith Professor of Government at Smith College for nearly 50 years, from 1968 until his retirement in 2016. He was widely respected for his groundbreaking work in the field of Chinese domestic and foreign policy, particularly his studies of Sino-American relations, Sino-Soviet relations, and the development of a Chinese Communist worldview. He taught thousands of students in these areas as well as in the general class, “Gov 100,” which he loved to teach.

After retiring from Smith College, Steve continued his academic endeavors as an Associate at the Fairbank Center and as the director of the Taiwan Studies Workshop at Harvard University. His career also included faculty appointments at the Tufts Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Columbia University, and the United States Naval War College. He was passionate about fostering understanding between China, Taiwan, and the United States and spent many years traveling to China and Taiwan, often in the company of scholars and government officials. He had a particular expertise in cross-straits relations between China and Taiwan., In addition, Steve was active at Hebrew University’s Truman Institute in Jerusalem, Israel, where he contributed to international academic and policy discussions.

In addition to his academic work, he was an avid traveler, exploring the world through his extensive research and personal adventures. Outside the world of academia, Steve was known for his love of sailing and his ability to engage in spirited and thoughtful debates—he truly enjoyed a good argument. He was a fierce competitor on the squash and tennis courts and was hard on ideas, but soft on people.

Steve is survived by his wife, Erika Kates; his son, Ken Goldstein; his daughter-in-law, Amanda Goldstein; his grandchildren, Samantha Goldstein and Nathaniel Goldstein; his sister and brother-in-law, Lois and Jerry Lowenstein; his nephew. Ben Lowenstein; his stepdaughter, Shira Kates and her daughter, Zella. He was predeceased by his parents, Nathaniel and Etta Goldstein and his son, Daniel.

A funeral will be held. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Brandeis Hillel and Harvard Hillel.

Judith Towvim Murad April 26, 1939 – February 8th, 2025

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Judith (“Judy”) Towvim Murad, 85, of Newton, passed away peacefully on February 8th, 2025. She is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, Edmond, as well as her nephews Joshua Towvim, Daniel Towvim (wife Geri and children Ava and Jacob), and Adam Towvim (wife Laura and children Benjamin and Rebecca). 

Sister of the late Harvey Towvim and daughter of the late Theodore and Miriam Towvim, Judy was raised in Newton, Massachusetts and lived the majority of her life there. She attended the Newton Public Schools and graduated from The Winsor School in Boston and Smith College.  She received a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of California, Berkeley.  

She began her career as a therapist for children and adolescents at The Beth Israel Hospital in Boston and continued for many years at the Harvard Community Health Plan (later Harvard Vanguard), alongside a private practice.

Judy had a passion for gardening and tennis and was a devoted wife, aunt, and friend, always making the effort to stay connected to those she loved.

Funeral at Temple Israel Sanctuary on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 11am, 477 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02215.

Burial will follow the service at Temple Israel Wakefield Cemetery. Shiva will follow the burial, 2-6pm, at the home of Adam and Laura Towvim.

Donations can be made to: 

Temple Israel of Boston
Attn: TILLI Fund, for Judy Murad
477 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02215 

Mozart, Munch and Myrna:

these were Robert William Guterman’s essentials.

Born in Boston May 6, 1932 to Abraham and Ada Guterman, died February 6, 2025 in Dedham. He enjoyed skiing, and sailing at Community Boathouse at an early age. He attended Colby College in Waterville, Maine and was graduated  from Tufts University with a B.A. in History; attended Rhode Island School of Design, and was graduated as a Master of City Planning from the University of Rhode Island.

Predeceased by his granddaughter, Ariel, he is survived by his wife, Myrna, his son, David, his daughter, Anne, his granddaughter, Eliana, his sister, Marjorie Dembitzer, and cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Monday, February 10, 2025 at Temple Reyim, 1860 Washington Street, Newton, at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Lindwood Cemetery, 492 North St., Randolph, MA.

Contributions in his memory may be given to Joslin Diabetes Center, at //www.joslin.org/support-joslin/ways-give or Community Boating at //portal.community-boating.org/donate.

Nancy (Pollock) Stavis of Key Biscayne Fl, Brookline, Ma, W Harwich, Ma

Daughter of Ida Cohen Pollock and Hyman Pollock, born on 10/24/1934

Died on Thursday February 6, 2025.

Loving and devoted wife of 60 years to Edward Stavis(deceased). Loving Mother to Sara Stavis Altman (Stuart) and Emily Stavis (David Polstein). Loving grandmother to Jennifer Altman, Evan Altman (Lucy Kissel), August Polstein (Sara Fields Polstein) and Harry Polstein. Loving Great Grandmother to Edward (Teddy) Polstein, Isadore Altman and Murray Polstein. Sister of Samuel Pollock(deceased).

Nancy graduated with a BA in Psychology from Brown University in 1956. Member of Sigma Psi and Phi Betta Kappa.

Nancy was an avid and skilled tennis player and competed and played in New England, Cape Cod and Florida. Nancy was a lover of architecture and took great pleasure in designing and building attractive and efficient spaces in each of her homes and consulted on her family members’ projects as well. Nancy and Eddie were the perfect pair. They balanced each other out with their unique personalities and skill sets. Together they shared 60 years with a love of the arts, swimming in the ocean, enjoying great dining experiences and spending time with lifelong friends and family.

Nancy was a loving, generous, frugal, caring, organized extrovert. She maintained close and long friendships with her friends from elementary school to the new friends that she’d met on the beach a week ago.

Donations can be made to: The Edward and Nancy Stavis Scholarship Fund at the Heller School at Brandeis University 415 South St. #035, Waltham, Ma 02453 or The New World Symphony 500 17^th St. Miami Beach, Fl 33139.

Funeral Services will be private

Edward James Ravelson, “Ed”, 75, of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts passed away peacefully in his home on February 2nd, 2025 after his courageous battle with chronic kidney disease.

Ed was born in Charleston, West Virginia to Arthur and Bessye Bedrick Ravelson. He grew up in Worcester, MA, graduating from Doherty High School, then attending several years at Bentley College. In 1971 Ed’s passion for fashion and his entrepreneurial spirit led Ed, along with his brother Scott to found one of the Boston region’s pioneering recycled clothing stores, The Pennsylvania Company/PA Company. The business grew over the next 40 years into a 6-store regional chain of fashion-forward boutiques located in Harvard Square, Boston and on Cape Cod. Ed had a sixth sense for fashion, and saw trends before most, leading him to be the first in the region to feature many iconic brands. He closed his last store in Provincetown, MA in 2018 to enjoy his retirement.

Ed had an appreciation for all professional sports, but especially baseball. Despite living in Massachusetts, he always remained a diehard NY Yankees fan. Ed valued physical wellness as seen in his exercise regiment, including daily gym workouts and outdoor activities such as biking and kayaking.

Ed was deeply loved and respected for his warmth, subtle humor and integrity by all who knew him. Ed always put family and friends first. He was a kind, loyal, loving, sentimental, giving, and gentle man. His laughter was unmistakable and would light up a room. Ed was the ultimate gentleman warrior.

Ed met the love of his life, Patti and they were married for 23 years. They were truly inseparable, enjoying a life filled with friends, family, and travel. Ed and Patti especially loved hosting family and friends at their homes in Chestnut Hill and Provincetown.

Ed is survived by his wife Patti Kinzer, his beloved and cherished daughter Jennie, her husband Gregg McGuire and their daughter Savannah (whom he especially adored and who helped brighten his final years), his first wife Theo, with whom he remained dear friends, and her husband Michael Belsky.  He is also survived by his devoted brother Scott Ravelson, his loving sister-in-law Elaine Ravelson, nephews Cory and Ben Ravelson whom he treated like sons, Ben’s wife Sarah and their daughter Audrey. Ed also leaves his many cousins, family members and lifelong friends, too many to mention here.

Ed was truly an inspiration on how to live a good, well-purposed life. He will be sorely missed, but never forgotten, and his spirit will live on through all the lives he touched with his kindness, care, sense of humor, and love.

There will be a Celebration of Ed’s life. Please reach out to the family for details.

Donations in Ed’s honor can be made to help serve, solve and care for the blind by donating to an institution Ed cared about, Perkins School For the Blind: https://www.perkins.org/tribute

If people prefer to donate via check ,send your donation to the address below.

Perkins School for the Blind

Attn: Development Department

175 N. Beacon Street

Watertown, MA 02472

Please note that the donation is in memory of Edward Ravelson

Helen Myrna Tack (nee Goodman), 94, of Newton, MA, passed away peacefully on Feb 1, 2025, in her home of 72 years. The funeral service will be held at Temple Shalom of Newton on Wednesday, Feb 5th, at 1 pm. Shiva will be held at 131 Wiswall Rd., Newton, on Feb 5th after the funeral service until 6 pm, continuing from 7:30-9 pm, and Thursday, Feb 6th, from 1 -5 pm.

Helen Tack was born in Chelsea, MA, to Betty and Samuel (George) Goodman on May 7, 1930. She graduated from Brookline High School, where she cultivated her passion for the arts. Her entrepreneurial spirit later led her to become an owner of Fancy That, a bath boutique in Newton Center that reflected her flair for elegance and appreciation of the beauty in everyday life.

When she called you “my darling,” a deep and long-lasting relationship began. She was always there for her family and friends. She was loving, thoughtful, and giving. She loved her husband, Bernie; they were married for 65 years, and together, they enjoyed a life filled with world travel and reading on the beach at their beloved homes in Cape Cod, MA, and Longboat Key, FL.

Helen is survived by her son Michael Tack & Heidi Shenker, daughter Margi Loyer & son-in-law Roger Loyer; five grandchildren and their partners, Jessica Loyer & Tim Brierly, Sarah Loyer & Georgia Lassner, Molly (Tack) Leighton & Brian Leighton, Alex Loyer, Ben Tack & Stephanie Kolozie, five great-grandchildren: Saffron, Bryce, Bobby, Maisie & Millie, and nine nieces and nephews.

She is preceded by her husband, Bernard Tack, and sisters, Elaine Werther and Ruth Tobin.

Memorial donations may be made to VNA Care Hospice (vnacare.org)

or  Congregation Shalom (congregationshalom.org) or Temple Shalom of Newton (Templeshalom.org)

The family wishes to thank VNA Hospice Care and our wonderful, dedicated caregivers for their incredible guidance and loving care during this difficult time.

WACKS, Dr. Jerry, of Lexington, died on Monday, January 31, 2025, at age 86 of complications from ALS. He was preceded in death by parents Ida and Harry Wacks, survived by wife Sue Wacks, son David Wacks (Katharine Gallagher), godson Nicholas Cotterpong (Lindsay), and grandchildren Zev and Zohar Wacks and Coral and Everly Cotterpong. He was a Psychiatrist in Lexington, MA, for over 50 years. His main goal was to help everyone and anyone who crossed his path. He had a legion of friends. The funeral will be held at 10:30 am on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at Temple Emunah, 9 Piper Rd., Lexington, MA. Burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Compassionate Care ALS, P.O. Box 1052, West Falmouth, MA 02574, ccals.org, and Temple Emunah.

Miriam Etta Bernstein was born August 17, 1956, to Dr. Alan and Mrs. Doris (Rabinowitz) Bernstein in Montgomery, Alabama, when her father was working for the United States Communicable Diseases Center (CDC).  She died after a 3 year battle with ovarian cancer at Newton-Wellesley Hospital on Feb 1, 2025.  When Miriam was 2 years old, the family relocated to Lancaster, PA in order for her father to begin working at Wyeth Laboratories in Marietta, PA. Miriam attended the Lancaster public schools and in 1974 graduated from Hempfield High School, where she was the yearbook editor.  After high school Miriam attended Tufts University in Somerville, MA, where she graduated with a degree in Sociology.  After graduation, she worked at Family Services of Greater Boston and also at Platinum Construction LLC as an office manager. Within the family she went by “Mim” or “Aunt Mim” – a ray of sunshine to all who knew her. She was quick witted and ready with a pun on even the most mundane topic.  Miriam was an avid Boston Red Sox fan, watching each game on television, and able to recite every player’s statistics. Miriam is survived by her brother, David (Kathe) Bernstein of Wayland, MA; her brother Saul Bernstein of Lancaster, PA, her nephews, Jon (Deepthi) Bernstein of Los Angeles, CA, Brian Bernstein of New York and beloved partner of many years, Merick Bahm of Newton, MA.

Barbara (Wasserman) Gulman of Peabody, MA passed away on January 29, 2025 at age 92. Barbara was born in Boston, MA and raised her family in Peabody, MA.  Loving mother to Richard Gulman and his wife Susan, Max Gulman and his wife Linda, Gary Gulman and his wife Sade.  Proud grandmother to Jonathan Gulman & his wife Alison, Kerry Zwierzko & her husband Johnny, Jessica Miller & her husband Adam, and Paige Gulman. She was a doting great-grandmother to Beckett, Hadley, Hailey and Henry. And was adored by her nieces and nephew. Devoted daughter to the late Lillian and Louis Wasserman. She is survived by her sister Jeanne Goldberg. Predeceased by her twin brother Norman Wasserman and her ex-husband Philip Gulman. 

Barbara had a tremendous personality and a great sense of humor. She found the good in everyone and always made them feel special. 

Funeral services will be private.  Shiva observance will be on Sunday February 2^nd at the home of Max and Linda Gulman, 96 Oxford Rd., Newton, MA from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lung Immunology Research Fund at MGH Make a Gift to Mass General c/o Development Office, attn. Connor Burns.

or the charity of your choice.