Obituaries

Sydney Yaffe
WORCESTER – Sydney Yaffe, 89, of 7 Southwood Rd. died on Thursday June 13th in UMass Memorial Healthcare.
He leaves his wife of 62 years, Helen (Jaffe) Yaffe; two sons, Alan Yaffe and his wife Sharon of Worcester and Leonard Yaffe and his wife Ruth of Tiburon, CA and three grandchildren, Hillary wife of Matthew Harris, Rachel Yaffe and Dara Yaffe. He was predeceased by his two sisters, Sheila Rothblatt and Renee Bootin.
He was born in Manchester, England and was the son of Isaac Max and Yetta (Gottlieb) Yaffe and had lived in Worcester for 64 years.
He was a foreman for Supreme Coat and Cottage Tailors for many years.
He was a veteran of the Brittish Army during World War II and had served in its intelligence corps as a cryptologist in Egypt, Greece and Italy, where he was wounded.
He was a member of Beth Israel Synagogue, The Irving Yarock Chapter of The Jewish War Veterans Post 32 and was a life member of the Worcester County Bridge Club.
FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT 1 PM ON SUNDAY JUNE 16TH IN BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE ON JAMESBURY DRIVE .Burial will be in Holy Society Cemetery in Leicester.
Immediately following the interment, a reception will be held in Beth Israel Synangogue and Memorial Observance will begin at his residence from 6:30 PM until 9 PM on Sunday and 2 PM to 5 PM and 6:30 PM to 9 PM Monday through Thursday.
Memorial contributions may be made to Beth Israel Synagogue, Jamesbury Drive, Worcester, MA 01609 or to the Jewish Healthcare Center, 629 Salisbury St., Worcester 01609

of Canton, formerly of Waltham, on June 14, 2013. Beloved husband of the late Edith (Barkan) Weinstein. Devoted father of Barbara Russell and her husband Gordon of New Boston, NH and Ellen M. Zane and her husband Peter of Hingham. Graveside services at the Beth Israel Memorial Park, 190 South St. Waltham on Monday, June 17 at 12:00 Noon. Memorial observance will be held at Orchard Cove, 1 Del Pond Dr. Canton on Monday from 1:30-6:00 PM and on Tuesday from 4:00-8:00 PM. Late WWII Army Air Corp veteran and graduate of Boston University. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Gann Academy, 333 Forest St. Waltham, MA 02452.

 of Framingham, MA – Passed away Monday, June 10, 2013, at home, surrounded by her loving husband and children, after a courageous battle with appendix cancer. She was the beloved wife of Serge Kogan.  Loving mother of Stephanie, Larry and Ben and his fiancée Catey McCurn.  Adored daughter of Irma Bookman and the late Lawrence Perlis. Precious step-daughter of Stanley Bookman.  Cherished sister of Arthur Perlis and his wife Myra, Kenny Perlis and his wife Raquel.  Beloved daughter-in-law of Gitla Kogan and her late husband Oscar. Beloved sister-in-law of Marcela Kogan and her husband Mitchell Bard.  Dear step-sister of Jeffrey Bookman and his wife Barbara, and Larry Bookman and his wife Dr. Laura Bookman. She was a special niece to her many aunts and uncles, and an extraordinary cousin and aunt to her numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.  Joanne was a beloved guidance counselor at the Haynes School in Sudbury for over 20 years.  She was loved by her many friends, colleagues, students and parents. She was a warm and loving friend to many.  She will be missed by all. Services will be held at Temple Israel of Natick, 145 Hartford Street, Natick, MA on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at 11:30 AM.  Following interment at Beit Olam East Cemetery, Wayland.  The family will sit Shiva at her residence Wednesday until 9PM. Thursday, 3PM to 5PM and 7PM to 9PM, Friday, 3PM to 5PM, Sunday, 12PM to 4PM and 7PM to 9PM, Monday, 7PM to 9PM. In lieu of flowers remembrances to PMP Pals -Appendix Support Group P.O. Box 6484, Salinas, CA 93912, Dana Farber Cancer institute, Gastro Intestinal Cancer Center, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or Temple Israel of Natick General Fund, 145 Hartford Street, Natick, MA 01760.

Jill died peacefully on Saturday morning surrounded by an intimate circle of family and dear friends. She is survived by her beloved partner Warren Lee, her mother and father Margie and Buzz Birnbaum, her brother and sister-in-law Jeff and Kristen Birnbaum and niece and nephews T.J., Katelyn and Brendan, her grandmother Doris Zich, and countless friends and family from Beijing to London to Malaysia to Brooklyn.

Jill’s life was a spice rack of colors, flavors and culture. From the far corners of the world to the corner dumpling shop, Jill delighted in, celebrated, and shared delicious foods, artisanal crafts, fierce fashions, and people’s stories.  Her travel and adventures, and the pleasure she took in every encounter, was only matched by her delight in sharing that experience with others – a smile, a knowing wink, a conspiratorial nod of the head.

Jill lived several lives in the course of her 40 years. At the core of her passion was elevating the dignity of others – from connecting and creating families through international adoption in China and Nepal, to child and family social work in Brooklyn and London, to founding Sí Se Puede! (Yes We Can!), a workers cooperative in Brooklyn.

Jill was an intrepid traveler and polyglot. Jill’s appetite to connect with people led her to learn Chinese, Nepali, Spanish, Hebrew and smatterings of many other languages, including her own frequent made-up words and phrases which have worked their way into the lexicon of her many friends across the world.

Jill found her soul mate in Warren Lee. They lived together in New York and London, travelled the world, and were an insanely handsome couple. Jill delighted in bringing together her countless intimate friends and inspired community everywhere she went.

Jill’s memory will be a blessing to all who have known her.

Services at Temple Ohabei Shalom (1187 Beacon St., Brookline, MA), on Monday, June 10, 2013 at 11:00 am. Interment to follow at Newton Cemetery, 791 Walnut St., Newton, MA. Shiva will follow the service at 238 Rosemary St., Needham, MA on Monday and also on Tuesday 1-4 and 7-9 pm.

Please refer to the CaringBridge website below for more information.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, Jill’s family has asked people to honor Jill’s memory with a donation to one of the organizations Jill adored. For a list of these, please visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jillbirnbaum.

Herbert N. Edinburg
WORCESTER – Herbert N. Edinburg, 88, of 54 Beeching St., died on Thursday, June 6th at St. Vincent Hospital.
He leaves his wife of 64 years, Shirlee (Port) Edinburg; two daughters, Gloria Edinburg wife of Peter George of Petersham and Elaine Edinburg wife of Joel Kaye of Edwards, Colorado and two grandchildren, Arie Samuel George and Jeremiah Michael George. He was predeceased by a brother, Murray Edinburg and by his three sisters, Adele Leavitt, Leona Klein and Pearl Waxler.
He was born in Spencer, a son of Elias and Eva (Godnick) Edinburg and had lived in Worcester, most of his life.
He first owned and operated Herb’s Radio and TV Store and later for many years, Worcester Distributors Inc. before retiring about 20 years ago.
He was a member of Temple Emanuel, B’Nai Brith, Knights of Pythias and was a member of Montacute Lodge of Masons.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on SUNDAY, JUNE 9TH IN TEMPLE SINAI, 661 SALISBURY ST. . Burial will be in B’Nai Brith Cemetery.
Memorial Observance will be held through Tuesday Evening June 11th at his residence, 54 Beeching St.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice .

Fishman-Esther (Borstel), of Brockton, on June 7, 2013, age 90. She was the beloved wife of the late Hyman Fishman, to whom she was married for 64 years, the devoted mother of Lana Preston of Brockton, Robert Fishman and his wife Judith of Brockton,and Mary-Ellen Briggs of Brockton.  Mother-in-Law of the late Robert Preston and Charles F. Briggs, Jr.  Dear grandmother of Carl Preston and his wife Mary, Rachel Law and her husband Theodore, Jr., Jennifer (Fishman) Perez, Emily Fishman, Tim Briggs and Adam Briggs.  Also survived by 8 great grandchildren and God-son, William Fishman.  Loving sister of David and Lois Borstel of CA, Henri and Joan Borstel of FL, and the late Harvey, Sylvia and Arthur Borstel. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Services at Temple Beth Emunah, (479 Torrey St., Brockton, MA), on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at 1:00 pm. Following interment, memorial observance will be at the home of Robert and Judith Fishman until  3:00 pm Friday, and continuing Sunday, with Minyan at 7:00 pm each night. Remembrances may be made to the Old Colony Y-David Louison Center, 137 Newbury St., Brockton, MA 02301 or Temple Beth Emunah, 479 Torrey St., Brockton, MA 02301.

Bette St. John, passed away on June 6, 2013. Graveside services at Sharon Memorial Park on Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at 1:45 pm.

of Brookline, on June 5, 2013. Devoted father of Neil Patt and his wife Susan Meyer of Miami, FL and Michael Patt and his wife Sarah of Wenham and his adopted children Dianne Mueller and Jay Patt. Dear grandfather of Rebecca, Zachary, Benjamin, Olivia, and Noah. Loving brother of the late Abraham Patt, Samuel Patt, and Sarah Brenner. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. Graveside service at the Vilno Cemetery, 776 Baker St. West Roxbury on Friday, June 7, 2013 at 11:00 AM. Memorial observance will be private. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in his memory may be made to the West End House Camp, 105 Allston St. Allston, MA 02134.

of Brookline, passed away on June 2, 2013 after almost 92 treasured years. Beloved husband of the late Ethel (Cudlitz) Pepper. Born in 1921 to Charles and Minnie Pepper, raised in the West End of Boston before moving to Brookline upon marrying. Brother of the late Samuel Pepper of Boston and Brookline. Dear Father of Marjorie Pepper of Brookline, Charles Pepper and wife Regina Bellavia of Brookline, and Susan Pepper Adler and husband Jeff Adler of Mamaroneck, NY. Grandfather of Joshua and Daniel Kaufman, and David and Michael Adler. Uncle to Arlene, Carl, Stuart, Ross and the late Elliott. Former devoted employee of the Town of Brookline School Department, Community Boating, and many other companies, where he saw the good in all of his colleagues as well as in everyone else he met. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2013. Visiting hours at his home on Tuesday following the service, Wednesday and Thursday 1-4pm and 6-8pm. Contributions may be made to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 300 Brookline Ave. Boston, MA 02215.

of Chestnut Hill, formerly of Andover, a lawyer in the Andover area and former radio and television personality in Portland, Maine in the 1950s died on Saturday, June 1, in Boston of heart disease.

Born in Boston, June 23, 1928, he was the beloved husband of Joan Eleanor (Steinberg) Lewis. They would have been married 62 years on June 6. Mr. Lewis will be missed dearly by his wife, his son Geoffrey Lewis and his wife Amy Caplan of Waban, his daughter Rose Lewis of Needham, and his three granddaughters whom he adored; Samantha, Jessica and Ming Lewis. Mr. Lewis was the son of the late Rose Mendelsohn Lewis and George Jacob Lewis. He was predeceased by his siblings Frances Rosenstein, Morton Lewis, and Miriam Marcus.

Mr. Lewis was a bright, warm and gentle man who was deeply loved by his family, friends and the communities where he lived. He was admired for his kindness, generosity and respect for all human beings. The Lawrence Bar Association honored him in 2008 for 50 years of extraordinary service. He was active in democratic politics, the local PTA in Andover and the March of Dimes.  He served as president of Temple Emanuel in Andover from 1977-1979.

Mr. Lewis was a 1954 graduate of Bowdoin College and received his law degree from Boston University in 1957. Before and while attending Bowdoin College he was a radio reporter and announcer in Bangor, Maine. On a whim one day while visiting Portland where his parents lived, he walked up Congress Street to WCSH-radio and auditioned for a job.  To his surprise and sheer delight, he was hired on the spot. He continued at WCSH radio for several years and was the first voice of television in the state of Maine. His radio voice was much admired and even after he left radio to practice law he was often asked to be master of ceremonies for readings during the Jewish High Holidays, and to serve as host on more than one occasion for the Miss Maine pageant with Miss America Mary Ann Mobley in the 1960s.

Mr. Lewis was an avid fan of 1940s jazz, considering Benny Goodman the most talented musician ever. He followed Goodman around in the same way his son would later follow the Grateful Dead. Among the older Mr. Lewis’ most prized possessions is a personal letter from Mr. Goodman thanking him for an album full of photos Mr. Lewis took of the musician at various concerts through the years.

Mr. Lewis maintained an extensive jazz library that included Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald and other prominent musicians of the 1940s. One of his greatest joys was sharing that music with his friends and grandchildren who spent hours with him listening to his music and to his critique of particular pieces. On the side of each CD was a small white sticker with a grade he gave to the CD. No one CD in his collection ever received anything below an A-.

Mr. Lewis was also an avid photographer and a devotee of Leicas. He spent his early years photographing his children and later his grandchildren and all of the wonderful places where he traveled around the world with his wife Joan.

Funeral services for Mr. Lewis will be held at Temple Emanuel, 7 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover, on Monday, June 3 at 1pm. Memorial observance will be held at the home of Geoffrey Lewis and Amy Caplan, Monday through Wednesday from 7-9 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston, 333 Nahanton St. Newton, MA 02459