Obituaries

WESTBORO – Shirley (Morganstern) Roth Salzberg, 90, died  Wednesday, June 18,2014 at her residence.

She was the beloved mother of Pamela Tabb, wife of Larry Tabb of Westboro, and Dr. Malcolm Roth and his wife Lisa of Albany, NY, and her cherished grandchildren, Max and Andy Tabb, and Melanie and Caroline Roth.

She was predeceased by her first husband, Morton Roth and by her second, Emanuel Salzberg.

For many years she was a bookkeeper in the garment industry. She and her husband owned and operated Mur-Man Trimming Company.

Memorial observance  3-8 pm on Sunday, June 22, 2014 at the residence of Pamela and Larry Tabb,

t 7 Benjamin Drive, Westboro, MA.

Services were held in New York at Beth David Cemetery on Thursday June 19, 2014.

WORCESTER – Ronald S. Savage, 77, of Altamonte, Florida, died on Monday, June 16, 2014.

He leaves two daughters, Melanie Kandel of Potomac, MD and Robyn Jaffee; two sisters, Nahamma Kates and Susan Yellin, and six grandchildren.

GRAVESIDE FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT 10:00 AM ON SUNDAY, JUNE 22, 2014 AT HOLY SOCIETY CEMETERY, CEMETERY RD.,LEICESTER, MA.

Following  interment, a reception will be held at a location to be announced at the funeral service.

of Newton, MA, formerly of Wellesley, on June 16, 2014. Devoted mother of Constantine and Elena Finehouse. Loving daughter of Mikhail Heifetz and Nina Dolzhkova. Cherished grandmother of Isabella.  Irina’s family will receive visitors at the Wilson Chapel on the campus of Andover Newton Theological School, 210 Herrick Rd., Newton Centre, on Friday, June 20, 2014 from 4-7 pm. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2014 at 11:00 am at Newton Cemetery, 791 Walnut St., Newton Centre. Those wishing to remember Irina may do so through donations to the Ulfelder Healing Garden, c/o Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St., Boston, MA 02114.

passed away peacefully on June 14, 2014. She leaves behind her beloved son, Gerald Feldman, daughter Rachel Feldman and son Stuart Feldman. She also leaves behind her beloved nephew and niece Larry and Cheryl Franklin and their children Adam and Alana Franklin, Jared Franklin and Christie McFarland. Indie and Sabrina the devil daschunds will miss hugs and kisses from their little old aunt. She will also be missed by her loving family friends Gloria and Larry Lieberman. Ruth Feldman had a passion and love for antiques which lead to a 35 year career in the industry. Well known in the Antique world she will be missed by many of her peers and business associates. Donations in Ruth’s memory may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284.

Mark Abrams remembers the summer when his younger brother Rick — then only 14 — became the chef at The 1661 Inn on Block Island, which the Abrams family had recently purchased.

The chef had burned his hand and couldn’t work. So Rick stepped in —demonstrating the determination, drive, and good cheer that would later lead not only to some enviable culinary skills, but also to his success as an educational software pioneer and his community-building initiatives in Lexington, Mass., where he lived.

Richard D. Abrams, beloved husband, father, and son, and a steadfast friend to many in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, died on Sunday, June 15. He was 57.

Though the Rhode Island native spent his adult years in Massachusetts, Rick, a graduate of the La Salle Academy in Providence, was a true son of Rhode Island, and visited frequently. He and his wife, Susan Kenyon, were married at the Dunes Club in Narragansett and remained longtime members.

Those who knew Rick refer to him as one of the most relentlessly upbeat people — as well as the most quietly and humbly effective — that they have ever met.

This gift certainly was apparent when the young teenager ran the family inn’s kitchen. Mark remembers Rick’s hard work — long shifts with his brother at The 1661 Sandwich Shoppe on Block Island’s Water Street, and endless hours improving the inn, which later grew to become the 1661 Inn and Manisses Hotel. “We’d do all the painting and wallpapering of the rooms in the off season,” Mark said.

He suspects his brother’s longtime love of cooking — and his talent for it —started when that chef burned his hand. During the inn’s first summer, Rick worked under the injured chef’s guidance, then continued as assistant chef the following summer under a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, John Bowen. Rick also helped redesign the hotel’s kitchen, poring over plans, all while still a teenager.

When Rick was 17, he read about what Johnson & Wales planned to offer in its culinary program in the Providence Journal and forwarded the information to Bowen, suggesting he apply. Bowen, now the Chancellor of Johnson & Wales University, has been at the culinary school for four decades.

“Rick reads this in the Providence paper. He sees this opportunity and sends it on to him,” recalled Rick’s brother, Mark. “He was such a connector. He’s so good at always seeing these opportunities and realizing who could benefit in a positive way from them. Just bringing people together.”

Mark believes Rick’s staunch environmentalism started on Block Island, too. One lasting environmental legacy is a system of walking trails that Rick spearheaded in Lexington. “He did it with his positive vision, his enthusiasm, his grace,” said Deb Mauger, chair of Lexington’s Board of Selectmen, who watched Rick bulldoze through the bureaucracy on a quest to connect the historic town’s walking trails. “He was so elegant in what he did. He would come into meetings and everybody would just vote yes.”

What they voted for was Rick’s long-term vision of a healthier population and a cleaner environment. He was determined to get people out of their cars and onto their feet. His system of trails, called ACROSS Lexington (Accessing Conservation land, Recreation areas, Open space, Schools and Streets) Lexington, is tangible testimony to the extraordinary impact one motivated man can have on a community.

“Across Lexington is an apt metaphor for Rick’s lifelong passion for forging connections and bringing people together,” said longtime friend Jamey Rosenfield. “It also reflects his commitment to the environment and the community.”

Though he fought a terminal illness for nine years, Rick walked and walked, almost until the end. Rick helped plan the 30-mile Boston Greenbelt Walk and Lexington’s Bike Walk ’n’ Bus Week, for which he led three walks in May, just weeks ago. His Twitter account lists post after post about the physical, mental, and creative benefits of walking. Rick also became an avid follower of tai chi and other alternative mind-body approaches, which helped ground him through numerous surgeries and ups and downs.

Rick also connected people within the thyroid cancer community. As one of only three non-physicians in the 65-member International Thyroid Oncology Group (ITOG) — and the only patient — he was instrumental in helping the group of leading scientists and clinicians develop a plan for raising money for research and building awareness of advanced thyroid cancer.

“There’s this enthusiasm he has for the project that becomes infectious, that helps other people devote their energies to it,” said Dr. Steven Sherman of Houston, ITOG’s chairman. “There are a lot of people who are enthusiastic. Rick combines that energy and enthusiasm with a carefully thought-out plan.” Rick spread the word about ITOG through online initiatives and by bringing his unique patient perspective to the annual THYCA (Thyroid Cancer Survivors) conference.

Dwight Vicks, ITOG treasurer and a member of the organization’s founding team, said Rick helped raise awareness about aggressive thyroid cancers; many people refer to thyroid cancer as the “good cancer” because 93 percent of victims recover. One of the 7 percent, Rick prolonged his life through clinical trials and what Vicks called “superhuman attitude and courage.”

Professionally, Rick made his mark in the educational software industry as a co-founder of Tom Snyder Productions (TSP); he helped the innovative company grow from a start-up into a leader in the field, bringing technology into the classroom before that became standard practice. Snyder remembered the wisdom and maturity of his business partner: “Over 20 years, one could not hope for a more perfect business adventurer, innovator, host, chef, and genuine supporter of every exotic breed of talent he met.” Tom Snyder Productions was acquired in 2001 by Scholastic, where Rick continued working until late 2012.

Margery Mayer, president of Scholastic Education, called Rick a pioneer. “There’s so much conversation about the role of technology and learning. Rick, in partnership with Tom [Snyder] and Dock [David Dockterman, another TSP co-founder], set an agenda that’s still relevant,” she said. “They were thinking about how we can use technology to engage kids, to empower teachers, to cultivate learning that matters. All the questions I hear when I go to a conference, these are the same questions Rick and Dock and Tom asked from the beginning.”

And Rick always seemed to ask the right questions. “That takes somebody with an eager and open mind, really somebody who remains 24 years old,” Mayer said. “Rick never aged intellectually; he kept that very young, innovative, somewhat iconoclastic, revolutionary point of view. He never grew out of it.”

Rick had numerous other interests — many of which connected people to one another. Several years ago, when he wanted to start a men’s book club, he rallied several friends who continue to attend the meetings loyally; meetings have attracted visiting authors such as Larry Tye and Daniel Yergin. When Rick wanted to know more about climate change; he invited NASA scientist James Hansen to speak in his home.

Rick was an active member of Temple Isaiah in Lexington, as well as an involved 1978 alumnus of Colby College, where his wife, Susan Kenyon, and son Stanley also attended, and where daughter Sydney is currently enrolled. Susan and Rick helped create the Sandy Maisel Student Research and Internship Fund at Colby, to honor an inspirational professor.

As an outgrowth of his passion for educational and environmental causes, Rick also served on the boards of Wheelock College, the Concord Consortium, Educators for Social Responsibility, and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

He is survived by his wife Susan Kenyon; his children Archie, Stanley, and Sydney; his siblings Rita Draper of Block Island, R.I., and Mark Abrams of São Paulo, Brazil; his father Justin Abrams of Block Island, R.I.; and his father-in-law Archibald Kenyon of Wakefield, R.I. He is the son of the late Joan Abrams. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the International Thyroid Oncology Group (ITOG), ACROSS Lexington, and/or the Pan Mass Challenge (under the names of participants Archie and/or Stan Abrams).

The funeral is Wednesday, June 18, at Temple Isaiah, 55 Lincoln Street in Lexington, Massachusetts, at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge.

Sheila F. (Fradkin) Grossman-Cizmar, of Saddlebrooke, AZ, formerly of Framingham, passed away on June 14, 2014. She was 67 years old.

Born in Boston, the daughter of the late Henry and Dorothy (Rachmilovitz) Fradkin, Sheila was raised and educated in Boston where she was the valedictorian of her graduating class at the Jeremiah E. Burke School for Girls. She went on to earn her Associates degree from the Chandler School for Women. Sheila was employed as an office manager and human resources professional.

The wife of William B. Cizmar, she was pre-deceased by her first husband the late Gerald S. Grossman. She is also survived by her 2 children, Ellen J. Grossman and Roger F. Grossman.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2014 at 9:45 AM at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sheila’s memory may be made to the Framingham-Natick Chapter of Hadassah, c/o Mrs. Adrienne Mayer, 20 Cornell Rd., Framingham, MA 01701.

SANDLER- Erica J., of Randolph, on June 14, 2014. Dear daughter of Elise (Goldman) Sandler and the late Alan Sandler. Granddaughter of Rae Goldman. Mother of Jessica and Andrea. Sister of Julie and Sarah. Services at Temple Beth Am, 871 North Main Street, Randolph, on Thursday, June 19 at 11:00 am. Following interment at Sharon Memorial Park, memorial observance will be at her late residence on Thursday until 8 pm, Friday until 4 pm, Sunday 2-5 pm. Remembrances may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 330 Congress St., 5 Floor, Boston, MA 02110.

of Randolph formerly of Wellesley, June 14, 2014. Beloved husband of the late Lois Levites. Devoted father of Edward Levites and fiancé Michelle Nar of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Jack Levites and his wife Donna of Randolph and Julie Pennellatore and her husband Joe of Randolph. Dear grandfather of Jarred Levites, Harrison and Amanda Grogan. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Services at Temple B’Nai Shalom, 41 Storrs Ave, Braintree on Thursday, June 19, 2014 at 10:30 am. Following the interment at Sharon Memorial Park memorial observance at his late residence on Thursday and continuing on Friday and Saturday. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in his memory may be made to the Development Office, Hebrew Senior Life, 80 NewBridge Way, Dedham, MA 02026.

WESTBORO — Burton L. Siegal, 90, of 6 Powder Hill Way, died on Friday, June 13, 2014  at Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital. He leaves his wife of 66 years, Charlotte (Epstein) Siegal; three daughters, Nancy, wife of Kenneth Niman of Baltimore, Lynne,wife of Alan Fox of Westboro, and Dr. Jane Siegal and her spouse Ann Reed of Minneapolis; a brother, Aaron H. Siegal of Wellesley; four grandchildren, Seth Niman and his wife Carrie of Bethesda, Marni, wife of Joshua Payne of West Newton and Dr. Rachael Grace, wife of Daniel Grace of Wellesley,  Dr. Zachary Niman and his wife Natalie of Deerfield, IL and six greatgrandchildren , Emily and Adam Niman, Brady and Dilan Payne and William and Peter Grace He was born and raised in Worcester, a son of Elbert J. and Dora (Price) Siegal and  lived in Westboro for the past 36 years. He graduated Classical High School and Boston University. He was the sales manager of Nylco, a division of Worthen Industries of New Hampshire for many years. Following his retirement, he joined its board of directors.He was a member of Congregation B’nai Shalom of Westboro, Worcester Lodge of B’Nai Brith, Level Lodge of Masons and was a volunteer consultant for SCORE.

FUNERAL SERVICES  AT 11:00 am  MONDAY, JUNE 16,2014, AT CONGREGATION B’NAI SHALOM,  117 EAST MAIN ST., WESTBORO, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF RICHARD PERLMAN OF BREZNIAK RODMAN FUNERAL HOME OF NEWTON. Burial will be at B’Nai Brith Cemetery, Worcester. Memorial observance  through 9 pm on Monday, June 16, and 6- 9 pm on Tuesday, June 17, at the residence of Lynne and Alan Fox, 8 Jefferson Rd., Westboro, MA.

Dorothy (Haffer) Rosenthal-of Belmont, on June 13, 2014. Beloved wife of the late Morris Rosenthal and Adolph Haffer. Devoted mother of Gary Haffer and his wife Sylvie, and Keith Haffer and his wife Jeri. Dear grandmother of Ian Haffer and his wife Julia, Lauren Haffer and Alex Haffer. Graveside services at Beth Israel Cemetery, 232 Fuller St., Everett, on Sunday, June 15, 2014 at 1:00 pm. Following services memorial observance will be at the home of Gary and Sylvie Haffer until 9:00 pm and Monday 7-9 pm. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to The Diabetes Association, 330 Congress St. , Boston, MA 02110.