Obituaries

June 3, 1949 – January 15, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Deborah Louise Goldberg (June 3,1949 – January 15, 2025). Debbie was a remarkable woman whose life was full of love and generosity. She brought light into the lives of everyone she met and will be remembered for her enormous heart, her unwavering love for her children and grandchildren, her famous chocolate chip cookies, and her boundless affection for her cherished dog, Molly.

A true enthusiast of life’s simple joys, Debbie was known for her deep appreciation of long walks that soothed the soul and shared laughter over a perfect Caesar salad. Debbie had a way of making people feel seen and valued, offering kindness and support even during life’s most challenging moments. Her strength and generosity of spirit will leave a lasting impression on all who knew her.

She is survived by her daughter Stacey Olesh and son-in-law Evan Olesh, her son David Goldberg and daughter-in-law Natalie Goldberg, her son Scott Goldberg, her many grandchildren, her sister Connie Feingold Paquette, and her life partner Barry Charton.

A celebration of her life will take place on Friday, January 24th at 12:15pm at Temple Beth Shalom in Needham. In honor of Debbie, we invite you to share a memory, a story, or simply take a moment to appreciate the beauty of a walk or the taste of a crisp Caesar salad.

Her memory will forever remain a source of inspiration, reminding us to embrace life with love and compassion.

Robert M. Friedman-Of Boynton Beach, FL, on January 15, 2025.Private graveside services were held on Sunday, January 19.

Ida Celia Gordon-Of Newton, January 13, 2025. Beloved wife of the late William Gordon. Devoted mother of  Linda Gordon Aronson, Dr. Richard Gordon and his wife Patricia, and the late Stuart “Stuey” Gordon.Dear grandmother of  Jaclyn Rubin, her husband Alex, son Benjamin Michael Aronson, and his wife Allie.  Miriam, Paul, Sarah, and Richard. Services were held at Temple Emanuel, Newton, on Wednesday, January 15. The interment took place at Sharon Memorial Park. Remembrances may be made to The Charles River Center, 59 East Militia Heights Drive, Needham, MA 02492.

Debra Friedman, our beautiful mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2025, at the age of 73, surrounded by the love and care of her family.

Born in New York, NY, Debra was the daughter of Henry and Ethel Weglinski. She was a devoted mother to Rachel Friedman and Adam Friedman and his wife Christine and a proud grandmother to Jackson and Logan Friedman. Debra also shared a close bond with her brother, David Weglin and his wife Barbara and shared a cherished love with her fiancé, Irwin Swartz.

Debra found her greatest joy in spending time with her loved ones, especially her children and grandchildren.  Known for her strength, selflessness and caring nature, she formed many lasting friendships throughout her life.

Private services at Staro Konstantinova Cemetery in West Roxbury.  Shiva at her late residence in Needham on Thursday, January 16, 2025 from 3-6 pm.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Debra’s memory may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute https://www.dana-farber.org/how-you-can-help

May her memory bring comfort to all who knew and loved her.

Elliot Nelson, of Canton, MA formerly of Brewster, MA, Westfield, NJ, and Brooklyn, NY died peacefully on Friday, January 10^th two weeks after celebrating his 95^th birthday with his loving family.  Elliot was born on December 25, 1929 to Elsie (Yaffee) and Nathaniel (Ned) Nelson in Brooklyn, NY.  He attended Johns Hopkins as an undergraduate, and graduated from Chicago Medical School in 1956. Following a residency, Elliot joined his father in practice as an ophthalmologist in Borough Park, Brooklyn where he was revered by his patients for more than 40 years.  He was past-President of the Brooklyn Ophthalmological Society.

Elliot was an avid sailor and spent frequent summer days sailing aboard his boat, the Sonata.  He loved taking friends and family out on the boat, first on Long Island Sound, and later on Buzzards Bay.  He would share his love of charts and winds with anyone that cared to join him.

Elliot was fortunate to travel and took great pleasure in experiencing different cultures and learning to speak other languages.  He spent his first year of medical school in Leiden, The Netherlands, where he lived with a family with whom he remained in touch until the end of his life.  Another meaningful travel experience occurred in 1963 when he spent a month volunteering in a surgical clinic in Haiti.  In addition to enjoying travel with his wife to many countries, favorites being Japan, Polynesia, Suriname, Israel, and Ireland, it is not surprising that many family vacations involved being aboard a sailboat in the Caribbean.

Elliot was most proud of his family; his wife of more than 59 years, Nancy (Brooks), his adoring daughters, Elissa Sherman and Lori Chesloff, their husbands, Adam Sherman and Jondavid Chesloff and his four grandchildren, Alexander Sherman, Marley Sherman, Sadie Chesloff and Tessa Chesloff.  He took immense joy spending time with his family whether walking along the Brewster flats, celebrating holidays and birthdays or watching his children and grandchildren participate in their various sports and performances.  Elliot was also the loving older brother to C. Richard (Dick) Nelson of Palm Beach Garden, FL.

Elliot was a kind and gentle man, and he and Nancy were always surrounded by close friends throughout their lives in Brooklyn, Westfield, Cape Cod and especially in the last six years at Orchard Cove.

Funeral service Monday, January 13, 2025 at 10 am in the Chapel at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA. Burial to follow.

Shiva will be Monday, January 13, 2025 from 3-5 pm at Orchard Cove, 1 Del Pond Drive, Canton, MA.

Remembrances may be made to the Orchard Cove Scholarship Fund, or to the charity of one’s choice.

Edward Michael Bloom, attorney, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, died Saturday at his home in Wayland. He was 83.
Edward was a lawyer for 60 years, concentrating on commercial real estate at Sherin & Lodgen LLP. He was president of the Real Estate Bar Association and The Abstract Club and a member of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers. He attended Boston Latin School, Tufts University, and Boston College Law School.
Edward will be dearly missed by his wife, Ellen Harder; his daughter, Janice Bloom and her husband Adam Grumbach of Brooklyn; David Bloom and his wife Rochelle of Natick, Massachusetts; Nick Harder and his wife Amber Smith-Harder of Williamsburg, Massachusetts; Daisy Powers and her partner Michael Bacus of Wayland, Massachusetts; Nell Getz and her husband Geoff of Wayland, Massachusetts; and his brother Robert Bloom of Newton, Massachusetts. Edward was a devoted grandfather to his 12 grandchildren: Isa and Jesse Grumbach-Bloom; Ryann and Julia Bloom; Ivan and Julian Harder; Lila, Sarah and Campbell Powers; Grayson, Ella and Sawyer Getz. His face lit up when his grandchildren called him Sabah. He tolerated his 13th grandchild, Acer the horse, from afar.
Edward was an avid Boston sports fan and could not have been happier when the Curse of the Bambino was broken in 2004. He loved The Mick and rued the day when the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles. Funeral Services will be held in the Chapel at Temple Ohabei Shalom at 1187 Beacon Street, Brookline on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 11:00 am.The interment will be private. Shiva will be held at his residence on Tuesday, January 14, from 1:00-4:00 pm and Wednesday, January 15, from 1:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00pm.
Donations in Edward’s memory can be made to Greater Boston Legal Services (gbls.org) and
Community Legal Aid (communitylegal.org).

Ira Jay Kuznick, formerly of Arlington, MA, age 83, on January 9, 2025. Dear son of the late Bernard (Ben) and Frieda Kuznick. Devoted father of David Kuznick and father-in-law of Jessica Kuznick. Proud grandfather of Amelia and Isabel Kuznick. Loving brother of the late Helene Jacobstein.

Funeral services at 2 pm, Sunday, January 12, 2025 at Temple Emunah, 9 Piper Rd., Lexington, MA. Burial will follow at Beit Olam East Cemetery, 42 Concord Rd., Wayland, MA. Shiva will be at the home of David and Jessica Kuznick on:

Sunday January 12, 7-9pm with minyan at 7:30pm

Monday January 13 – Thursday January 16, 2-4pm and 7-9pm with minyan at 7:30.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to The American Cancer Society or Temple Emunah     or     Temple Beth El

To view livestream of funeral service click here

Of Dedham, age 90, January 10, 2025. Beloved wife of the late Laurence L. Rubin. Loving mother of Rachel Coppersmith and her husband Curtis. Devoted grandmother of Nathan Coppersmith and his wife Jeanette and Daniel Coppersmith and his wife Sarah. Great grandmother of Owen Coppersmith. Funeral Service on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025 at 1:00 PM in the Chapel at Sharon Memorial Park 40 Dedham St. Sharon, MA. Remembrances may be made to the MGH @ giving.massgeneral.org.

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

Harvey L. Keller, of Boynton Beach, FL, formerly of Newton, passed away on January 9, 2025. He was the beloved husband of the late Selma C. Keller.

Harvey is survived by his loving children: Susan Mouckley and her husband Jeffrey, Richard Keller and his wife Christina, and Nancy Goldberg and her husband Michael. He was a proud and devoted grandfather to Benjamin and Sarit Mouckley, Bess and Joerg Bohmann, Alex Keller and Christina Barkhorn, Lucy Keller, and Katie Goldberg. He also cherished his role as a great-grandfather to Josef, Levi, and Nora Bohmann, and Mia, Ella, and Eve Mouckley.

Harvey was a dear brother to Lawrence Keller and his wife Karen of Naples, FL, and the late Norton N. Keller and his wife Jacqueline.

Graveside services will be held at Temple Emeth Memorial Park, 776 Baker Street, West Roxbury, MA, on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 11:00 AM. Shiva will be private.

The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff at the Rehabilitation Center of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.

Framingham, MA – Arthur Swotinsky, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, January 2, 2025, surrounded by the family he cherished so deeply. He was 90 years old.

He is survived by his loving wife Marlene (Okstein) Swotinsky and his three daughters, Lisa Smith (and her husband Dale) of Marblehead, MA; Amy Swotinsky of New York City; and Debra Bruckner (and her husband Eddie) of Needham, MA. Arthur was also the proud and doting grandfather of Shanna, Jocelyn & Adam Smith, and Rachel & Sam Bruckner.

Arthur was predeceased by his brother Jack Swotinsky and sister Frances Regen (and Al) and brother-in-law Alan Okstein (and Sheila). He is survived by his sisters-in-law Anita Swotinsky and Karen Okstein as well as his nieces and nephews: Mark Swotinsky (and Arlene), Robert Swotinsky (and Michelle), and the late Glenn Swotinsky; Karen Regen-Tuero (and Walter), Sarabeth Okstein, and Larry Okstein (and Lisa).

Arthur was born in 1934 in Brooklyn, NY to Bertha (Leeman) and Isidore Swotinsky. He spent his childhood playing stickball in the streets and dreaming of becoming a professional baseball player, all while cheering passionately for his beloved Brooklyn Dodgers.

Arthur met the love of his life, Marlene, on a blind date. He knew immediately they were meant to be and their love story inspired everyone around them for 63 years. They celebrated life hand in hand and enjoyed dancing to Frank Sinatra’s music. Arthur and Marlene built a beautiful life in Framingham, MA where they raised their three daughters. Known to his children and grandchildren for his playful spirit, boundless energy and unwavering support, Arthur never missed an opportunity to cheer them on, share a laugh or teach them something new.

Education was a cornerstone of Arthur’s life. After graduating from City College of New York, he earned a Master’s degree from Northeastern University. For 37 years, he worked as an electrical engineer at Raytheon Microwave and Power Tube Division, where he contributed to cutting-edge advancements with his sharp intellect and dedication.

Arthur and his family were longtime members of Temple Beth Am in Framingham, MA.

Arthur embraced life with a positive attitude and unmatched zest for living. He was known for his radiant smile, which could light up any room, his love of jogging, and enjoying the tranquility of nature especially his cherished woods. An active and healthy lifestyle kept him young beyond his years.

A service to celebrate Arthur’s remarkable life will be held on Monday, January 6, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham Street, Sharon, MA.

Shiva will be observed on Monday, January 6, following the interment until 4:00 PM at the home of Marlene Swotinsky in Framingham and on Tuesday, January 7, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the home of Debra and Eddie Bruckner in Needham, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

Arthur’s warmth and kindness left an indelible mark on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. His laughter, sense of humor, and generous heart will be deeply missed. He was, and always will be, a light in our lives.

Arthur, you truly lived life your way.