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Obituaries
Joseph Braunstein
September 25, 2013
Joseph Braunstein, 84; bankruptcy attorney, mentor for young lawyers
By Michele Richinick
| GLOBE CORRESPONDENT NOVEMBER 05, 2013
Mr. Braunstein received the Boston Bar Association’s first Lifetime Achievement Award.
In the law offices where he handled bankruptcy cases during a career that spanned more than 55 years, Joseph Braunstein spoke with colleagues and staff about any number of topics that had nothing to do with legal work, from tomato plants to model airplanes.
“He had that talent of remembering what everyone’s interest was and had such a nice, open and friendly way about him that he always connected with people,” said Stanley Riemer, a managing partner at Mr. Braunstein’s firm who knew him for four decades or more.
When Mr. Braunstein and his family went out to dinner, it was difficult for his wife and children to finish a meal without interruptions because he often stepped away to greet friends and colleagues who entered the restaurant.
“We could barely eat with them,” said his son Barry of Weston.
Mr. Braunstein, a longtime senior partner at Riemer & Braunstein, died of a heart attack Sept. 25 near his home in Boynton Beach, Fla. He was 84 and before moving recently to Chestnut Hill had lived for many years in Weston, and for years spent part of his time in Florida.
‘He expected a high level of performance from people and expected it of himself at all times.’
In 1998, the Boston Bar Association recognized Mr. Braunstein for his work in bankruptcy law with the organization’s first Lifetime Achievement Award.
“I just do my job, do my work, and it’s gratifying to see how well recognized it is,” Mr. Braunstein told the Boston Business Journal after receiving the award.
The late M. Ellen Carpenter, a respected bankruptcy lawyer who at the time chaired the association’s bankruptcy law committee, told the journal at the time of the award that Mr. Braunstein was “someone who the young attorneys watch in the courtroom and can learn a lot from.”
During the 1970s, Mr. Braunstein became a key partner at Cohn, Riemer & Pollack and the longtime head of its bankruptcy department. The firm became Riemer & Braunstein in 1979.
He was “tremendously successful” as a bankruptcy lawyer and was a role model for other attorneys, Riemer said. Mr. Braunstein, he added, enjoyed being a teacher and mentor to new attorneys who joined the firm.
“He expected a high level of performance from people and expected it of himself at all times,” Riemer said.
Mr. Braunstein was born in New Bedford and grew up in Newton, where he graduated from Newton High School.
He received a bachelor’s degree from Suffolk University in 1950 and subsequently graduated from what is now called New England Law, Boston.
Mr. Braunstein was young when his father died. Afterward, he thought of his future father-in-law and Newton neighbor, Ralph Cohn, as a mentor and role model during his teenage years. He married Cohn’s daughter, Sally, in 1951.
During the early 1960s, the couple began living in Newton, where they raised their three sons, all of whom became lawyers, before moving to Weston during the late 1970s.
More recently, they moved to Chestnut Hill. Over the years, Mr. Braunstein would only spend weekends in Florida during some months in order to accommodate his wife’s work schedule.
In 1953, Mr. Braunstein began his law career as a traditional collection attorney at Cohn, Riemer & Pollack. He left the firm briefly to establish his own law practice in Essex County before returning to Boston, where he worked for the rest of his career.
“In a sometimes harsh environment, everyone had just praise for him,” said his son, who is a senior partner at Riemer & Braunstein. “I think it’s just the way he treated people.”
A service has been held for Mr. Braunstein, who in addition to his wife and son Barry leaves two other sons, Alan of South Natick and Ron of New York City; a brother, Robert of Sharon; and seven grandchildren.
Away from work, Mr. Braunstein liked to go golfing with his wife and fly radio-controlled planes with friends.
“He saw people for what they were,” his son Barry said. “He was an everyman’s person.”
Mr. Braunstein never retired. He served as a court-appointed bankruptcy trustee and was affiliated with the American Bar Association, the American Bankruptcy Institute, and the Massachusetts Bar Association.
He was elected to the American College of Bankruptcy, for which he was a member of the pro bono committee.
“He was praised by judges for being incredibly deferential to anybody,” his son said. “He treated everyone with caring, kindness, [and] thoughtfulness.”
Attorney Leonard Fisher
September 24, 2013
Of Newton, longtime Brookline attorney, passed away at the age of 89 after a long illness. Graveside services will be held at Sharon Memorial Park, 120 Canton St., Sharon, on Sunday, September 29, 2013 at 11:45 am, where he will join his beloved wife Jillian (G. Greenstein) Fisher. He leaves behind his devoted children, Jodi and David Fisher. He was pre-deceased by his revered sister, Beatrice V. Rakoff. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, all his cousins and his longtime secretary Ms. Betsie Coulacos. Leonard served in the Armed Forces as a Flying Tiger during WW II. Mr. Fisher graduated from Boston College Law School in 1951. Memorial observance will be held following the interment at his former residence until 7:00 pm Sunday. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to NEADS (National Education For Assistance Dog Services), PO Box 213, West Boylston, MA 01583. The family wishes to thank the staff at Belmont Manor Nursing Center for their wonderful care, and the end of life support of the Hospice of The Good Shepherd.
Burton S. Parker
September 23, 2013
A retired registered professional engineer, passed away Monday, September 23, 2013 in Onset, MA. He was 92 years old. A beloved father and grandfather, he is survived by his daughter, Dr. Donna Parker, an epidemiologist, his son, Dean, an executive recruiter and his wife Renee, grandsons, Sgt. Jason Parker, a veteran of the Afganistan campaign, Ethan Parker, a counselor, and Burton’s great-granddaughter, Kayla Marie Parker. He graduated from Northeastern University with a BS in mechanical engineering. He also attended graduate schools At MIT and UNH. During WWII as a naval officer, lieutenant (jg), he served as an aviation ordinance specialist. After the war, he was employed as a mechanical engineer at the following organizations: L.N. Barry Co, Cambridge, MA, shock and vibration specialists, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard serving as head of the shock, vibration and noise group, at the Watertown Arsenal Laboratories, and the Army Materials and Mechanics Laboratories where he was heavily involved in stress analysis problems involving Army material and developing more techniques for the stress analysis of composite materials. He also was an instructor during the evenings in the mechanical engineering department of Lincoln College, Northeastern University. Following retirement, he spent winters in Delray Beach, FL and became an instructor in the Palm Beach County evening education program for seniors, teaching computer fundamentals. His summers were spent on the Cape Cod at the beautiful seaside victorian village of Onset Bay. As the only observant Jewish couple residing in Onset during the week, he and his wife took over the operation of the local seasonal traditional Orthodox synagogue, attracting religious families from all over the USA to vacation in Onset and daven at the synagogue. He served as president of the congregation for approximately 25 years He was also a member of Company A, the prestigious men’s fraternal club located in Boca Raton, FL. Donations to the South Coastal Hospice Group, Fairhaven, MA in his memory are welcome. Graveside services will be held at the Chevra Thilim Cemetery, 232 Fuller St., Everett, on Wednesday, September 25 at 1:00 PM.
Robert Liner
September 22, 2013
age 95, of Newton, on September 21, 2013. Beloved husband of Ethel (Midge) Fatles Liner for 32 years and the late Myrna (Cohen) Liner. Devoted father of Barry Liner and his wife Ilene, and Gayle Liner. Dear grandfather of Meredith, Lisa, Michael, Leyla, Marisa, Jordana, Paul, and great-grandfather of Paige, Taylor, Samantha, Alixandra, Jordan, and Noah,Darryl,Jack and Jake. Loving brother of Sydney Liner, Morton Liner, and the late Rabbi Paul Liner. Services at Temple Beth Shalom, 670 Highland Ave., Needham, MA on Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow in the Chevra Shaas Cemetery, West Roxbury. Memorial observance will be at the home of Barry and Ilene Liner on Tuesday from 2-5 & 6-10 PM. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.
Ruth (Wainhouse) Zeidman
September 22, 2013
Zeidman-Ruth Dorothy (Wainhouse) “Ruthie”, of North Quincy, Milton, and, for the past 20 months, of Sharon, at the home of her cherished and devoted son, David R. “Sonny” Zeidman. Entered into rest on September 21, 2013 at 92 years young, following a courageous and valiant battle against Alzheimer’s. Beloved wife of the late Morris “Moe” Zeidman, her childhood friend with whom she shared 52 years of marriage until Moe’s passing on October 27, 1998. Dear daughter of the late William and Annie (Packer) Wainhouse. Loving sister of the late Sylvia Spingarn, Edith Davis, and the late Evelyn Hirsch. Dear sister-in-law of Ruth Greenspan and the late Rubin “Rube” and Eunice (Cutler) Zeidman. Dear cousin of Sandy Miller and her husband Ralph, and Gail Weinstein and her husband Carl. Ruth was a very caring and devoted aunt to 3 generations of nieces and nephews. David will be eternally grateful to Ruth’s caregivers, Linda Stern, Sabrina Petrarca, Kaela Sidelinger, and Elizabeth Dasilva, for the loving and compassionate care which they provided for Ruth during the past 20 months. In her final days, they became her daughters and his saviors. Services at Temple Israel of Sharon (125 Pond St., Sharon, MA), on Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at 1:00 pm. Following interment at Sharon Memorial Park (120 Canton St., Sharon), David will return to Temple Israel for a meal of consolation. Contributions in her memory may be made to Temple Israel of Sharon, 125 Pond St., Sharon, MA 02067, or to Hebrew Senior Life C/O Development Office, 1200 Centre St., Boston, MA 02131. Mom, you were always, always, “A Woman of Valor”, and my shining, guiding light. Give my love to dad, grandma, and grandpa, to bubbe and zayde, and to all the family, especially Edie, our beloved “E”. I will miss you terribly and will always love you.
Sara Kalikow
September 21, 2013
Sara Kalikow-of Orchard Cove, Canton, formerly of Roslyn Heights, NY, on September 20, 2013. Beloved wife of the late Sidney Kalikow. Devoted Mother of Martin Kalikow and his wife Donna, Judith Altman and her husband Dr. Alan Altman. Dear grandmother of Deborah and her husband Aaron, Jessie, Jeanine, Matthew, and Joshua Altman and his fiancé Heather Bilyeu. Loving great-grandmother of Wesley James and Samuel Jak. Dear sister of Pearl Bloom and her children. Sara was blessed with best caretakers, Alberta, Sheila and Mary. Graveside services at Mount Hebron Cemetery, Flushing, NY, on Sunday,September 22, 2013. at 2:00 pm. Family will be at the home of Martin and Donna Kalikow Monday thru Wednesday 2-4, 7-9 pm. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Orchard Cove Education Fund, 1 Del Pond Drive, Canton, MA 02021.
Leonard Fuhrer
September 21, 2013
Leonard Fuhrer (Nov. 23, 1929-Sept 20, 2013), of Wellesley, formerly of NY, surrounded by his loving wife and children. Son of the late Leona and Bernard Fuhrer. Beloved and devoted husband of Frances (Kossin) for 60 years. Survived by children Leslie (Richard), Robert (Judy), and David (Cathy), and 8 loving grandchildren, Evan, Ross Rachel, Sam, Alex, Lara, Daniel, Matthew, and his beloved brother, Robert (Joan). Funeral at 1:30pm Monday, Sept. 23, 2013 at Temple Beth Elohim, Wellesley, MA.
Jon William Watson
September 20, 2013
Jon William Watson, lovingly known as “Big Jon”, a lifelong resident of Provincetown, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2013. He was 56 years old.
The youngest child of the late Horace Kilbourne and Ruth (Silva) Watson, Jon was educated in the Provincetown Public School system and was a graduate of Provincetown High School. He was an employee of the Town of Provincetown Department of Public Works for 12 years and also Cape Cod Oil Company for over 30 years
If anyone ever wanted to know anything about the history of Provincetown they knew Jon was like an encyclopedia with that information. Jon was a member of the Provincetown Fire Department for 32 years, the King Hiram’s Lodge, the Provincetown Lions Club, and the Mass Beach Buggy Association. He had a heart bigger than anyone and was always happiest when he was offering help through acts of kindness to anyone he came in contact with. Nothing gave him greater pleasure than spending time with his beloved family. Jon also found great enjoyment in driving out to Race Point in either his pick-up truck or camper where he would enjoy fishing and spending time with his friends. He also enjoyed playing Cribbage on Wednesday evening’s at the Provincetown VFW and going to Monte Carlo nights. Jon enjoyed recreational hunting as well as trips to Maine and New York.
Jon was the loving brother of Ruth W. Dutra of Provincetown and Horace Watson of North Carolina. He was the cherished uncle of Ruth Anne Cowing and her husband Brian of Provincetown, Julie L. Watson, and Horace K. Watson of North Carolina. Jon is also survived by his aunt, Martha Henrique of Provincetown and many cousins.
Funeral services will be held in the Provincetown United Methodist Church, 20 Shank Painter Rd., Provincetown, on Tuesday, September 24, 2013, at 1:00 PM. Burial will follow in the Provincetown Cemetery. Those wishing to remember Jon may do so through memorial donations to the Provincetown Rescue Squad, 25 Shank Painter Rd., Provincetown, MA 02657. Arrangements under the direction of Brian Falvey and the Brezniak-Rodman Funeral Directors