Died Sunday, September 29, 2013. Funeral service 12 noon Monday, September 30, 2013. Graveside Funeral Services in Agudas Achim Cemetery, Rollstone Rd., Fitchburg. Funeral Home: Under direction of Richard Perlman of Brezniak Rodman Chapels of Newton
For immediate assistance please call: 617-969-0800
Obituaries
Pauline Pransky
September 28, 2013
Pransky-Pauline (Berger) of Stoughton, formerly of Brookline, MA on September 28, 2013. Beloved wife of Irving Pransky. Devoted mother of Alan Pransky and his wife Deborah, and Deborah Levine and her husband Mark. Dear grandmother of Joshua, Scott, Ethan, & Eric. Proud great grandmother of Micah. Loving sister of Samuel Berger and the late Louis and Philip. Services at Ahavath Torah Congregation, (1179 Central St., Stoughton), on Monday, September 30, 2013 at 12:00 noon. Following interment at Lindwood Memorial Park (490 North St., Randolph), memorial observance will be at the home of Deborah and Mark Levine until 8 pm, and will continue Tues. 2-4 & 6-8 pm. Shiva will also be observed at the home of Alan and Deborah Pransky, Tues-Fri until sundown. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to The Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445, or Friends of the IDF, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018.
Ruth B. Levenson
September 27, 2013
of Hammond, LA, formerly of Somerville, on September 27, 2013. Beloved wife of the late Edward L. Levenson. Devoted mother of Henry Levenson and his wife Daphne, Janet Levenson, and Maxine Hillman. Dear grandmother of Marshall Levenson. Loving sister of the late Harvey Ginsburg and Edith Abrams. Graveside services at B’Nai Brith Cemetery, on Rt. 128 Peabody, north side after Exit 25, on Sunday, September 29, 2013 at 10:30 AM. Memorial observance will be private. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in her memory may be made to a charity of one’s own choosing.
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.
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.
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.