Obituaries

Pearl Halper of Newton, on January 16, 2013. Beloved wife of  the late Alfred Halper. Devoted mother of George Halper. Graveside services at Sharon Memorial Park on Friday January 18, 2013 at 2:45 pm.

Snyder-Ruth (Galner), formerly of Chestnut Hill and Delray Beach, born on January 17, 1913, passed peacefully surrounded by her children and loved ones on January 12, 2013 after celebrating an outstanding pre-100th birthday party last month. A daily helping of dark chocolate, a handful of peanuts and a sip or two of brandy carried her as close to 100 as she wanted to get. Rarely beaten in bridge or jeopardy, she is survived by son Richard Snyder and his wife Marilyn and daughter Jane Kaatz and her spouse Linda Woods, grandchildren Robert and Michele Snyder and John and Tania Snyder, Lauren and Joe Lautner, Noah Kaatz and Mike Majewicz, Dexter and Tanya Bachelder, and Dayna Silverman, great grand children Brett, Wilson, Jed, Rudy, Henry, Marley, Eleanor, Theo and Hampton. Contributions may be made to The Jennifer Lynn Snyder Teen Heart Foundation, 2732 Spenser Court, Northbrook, IL 60062. A private graveside service will be held on January 14, 2013 at the Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon, MA.

Weisman-Richard E., suddenly on January 10, 2013 in Florida. Survived by his wife of 49 years Janice Lutz Weisman. Devoted father of Sarah Weisman (Tom Mills) of Barrington, NH, Andrew Weisman (Connie) of Wakefield, MA, and Jessica Garrabrant (Dan) of NJ. Proud Grandfather of Joshua Weisman, Brian, Christopher and Allie Garrabrant. Richard attended Hebron Academy, ME and Norwich University, VT. He served his country in the Army Reserve. He spent many years working in both the private and public work sectors including Director of Middlesex County Regional Probation, MA Child Support Enforcement Program, and the MA Dept of Mental Retardation. He lived in Newton, MA for 42 years and was very active in the community, including serving as President of the Newton Youth Foundation which ran a teen program called Beginnings, chaired the Newton Human Rights Committee and was a member of Freeport Foundation and the Mayor’s Cable Commission. He was a past Commodore of the Charlesgate Yacht Club, Cambridge, MA. He was never happier than when cruising with his family and friends on the New England Coast in his beloved boat “Jessarah”. Since 2002 he wintered in Fort Myers, FL, where he loved playing in a Senior Citizens Softball League and attending Red Sox Spring training games. He will be deeply missed. Services at the Brezniak-Rodman Chapel, 1251 Washington St., (corner of Chestnut St.) on Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 10:00 am. Following interment at Newton Cemetery, the family will receive visitors at the home of Andrew and Connie Weisman and will continue Friday 2-8 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Food Pantry of Salvation Army, 402 Mass Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139 or a charity of your choice.

Garber-Eleanor Natalie, of Worcester, formerly of Lakeland, FL and Greenfield, MA, on January 8, 2013. Beloved wife of the late Max Garber.
Devoted mother of Dr. Geraldine Feldman and David Epstein of Naples, FL, Dr. Seth and Susan Garber of Clackamas, OR and the late Sue Levy and Merrill Garber.
Dear grandmother of Joshua and Wendy Feldman, Sara and Jonathan Jacobson, Riva and Darren Wolkow, Ariel Levy, David and Alexandra Levy, Michael Garber and fiancee Mandy Littlewood, Karin Garber, and the late Daniel Garber.
Great Grandmother of Sophia and Andrew Jacobson, Tobin and Jamon Wolkow.Eleanor was a graduate of Chelsea High School and Salem State College. She held a Master of Arts degree from UMass Amherst. She had a long career as a teacher and was known for her brilliant fund of knowledge and baking skills.Graveside services at Agudas Achim Cemetery, Fitchburg, MA on Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 11:00 am. Memorial Observance will be at
12 Leyton Rd., Worcester, MA Thursday until 8 pm and Sunday 1-4 pm.Remembrances in her memory may be made to Leominster Children’s Library, 30 West St., Leominster, MA 01453, Congregation Beth Israel,
15 Jamesbury Dr., Worcester, MA 01609 or Worcester Public Library,3 Salem St., Worcester, MA 01608.

Rav Shimon Daniel Refael Sadick, 61, passed away on January 5, 2013 after a short illness. He leaves behind his wife Myra Weisfeld Sadick of Houston; his son Simcha Binyamin Sadick of Brooklyn; step-children Isaac and Sara Jacobson of Houston.. He was the son of Marcia (Dobis) Sadick of Newton and the late Alvin Irving Sadick. He also leaves behind his sister Sherry Sadick Wilgoren of Framingham and brother Stuart Sadick of Newton; his nephew and niece, Joshua and Stacey Wilgoren of Framingham, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He lived and worked many years in Israel and abroad in the field of education as well as helping the infirm, homeless, and less fortunate. Funeral and burial were held on January 8 in Netivot, Israel. Contributions may be made in his memory to: Talmud Torah of Hevron Israel; or Hevra Kadisha of Houston; or Kiviti HaShem and Shiviti HaShem Synagogues in Ofakim, Israel. Checks can be made payable to any of these institutions and sent to Steven Plumb, CPA, 5300 North Braeswood Boulevard, PMB 370, Houston, TX 77096. Memorial observance will be held at the residence of Marcia Sadick, Cabot Park Village, 280 Newtonville Ave, Newton, MA Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 2-4 and 6-8pm, Friday 2-4pm, Saturday 6-8pm, Sunday and Monday 2-4 and 6-8pm.

Lawrence Smith of Danvers , formerly of Sharon,on January 7, 2013. Beloved husband of Sylvia ( Shapiro) Smith.Devoted father of Lee Smith and his wife Sharon, Dr. Bruce Smith and his wife Carmel.Dear grandfather of Alexander and Erik,Kakoa and Maya.Graveside services at Sharon Memorial Park ,(Opposite 41 Dedham St. Sharon,MA on Wednesday January 9th at 11:45 am.In lieu of flowers remembrances to Kaplan House 78 Liberty St. Danvers, MA 01923.

WORCESTER – Isaac Ahtof, 70, of 3 Lynnwood Lane, died on Monday, January 7th at UMass Memorial Healthcare, after an illness.He leaves his wife of 43 years, Jenny (Levent) Ahtof; two daughters, Gina wife of Michael Pupillo of Worcester and Betin wife of Keith Robichaud of North Smithfield, RI; a sister, Estela wife of Sami Estroti of Istanbul, Turkey and two grandchildren, Luke and Julia Robichaud.He was born in Istanbul and was a son of David and Bienvenuta (Haliyo) Ahtof and lived in Worcester for 39 years.He owned and operated Elm Park Auto Body for 31 years until his recent retirement due to illness.He was a longtime member of Beth Israel Synagogue, a longtime Secretary of Level Lodge of Masons and was a 32nd Degree Mason. He was a Past President of Worcester Probus Club and a Past President of the Massachusetts Auto Body Association. He was a member of the Chabad in Westboro.FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT 1 PM on WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9TH IN BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE ON JAMESBURY DRIVE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF RICHARD PERLMAN OF BREZNIAK RODMAN FUNERAL HOME OF NEWTON. Burial will be in Holy Society Cemetery in Leicester.Memorial Observance will be held through 3 PM on Friday Afternoon at his residence at 3 Lynnwood Lane.Memorial contributions may be made to Chabad of Westboro, 54 South St., Westboro, MA 01581.

Judith (Aronson) Alpert, 81, on January 6, 2013 at home in Chestnut Hill after a courageous battle with cancer. Beloved wife of Martin Alpert with whom she shared 61 wonderful years of marriage.  Loving mother of Nancy Alpert (Gwen Marcus) of Manhattan and Kenneth Alpert. Devoted sister of Helaine Miller (and her late husband, Stanley) and Martin Aronson (Geila), and sister-in-law of Estelle Mitchell (and her late husband, Victor) and the late Howard and Ida Alpert. She was the matriarch of our family, loved by all who knew her, and is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. She dedicated her life to helping people, personally and professionally. She graduated from Boston University with a BA in English Literature and continued taking courses at BU throughout her life, especially with Elie Wiesel and the late Saul Bellow and Benno Varon. After raising her two children, she went back to BU for a Masters in Counseling and led the Alcohol Services programs at Faulkner and St. Elizabeth’s hospitals. She served on the Mass. Governor’s Advisory Council on Alcoholism and Drug Rehabilitation for 7 years. She was elegant, gracious, and devoted to friends and family. Services at Congregation Mishkan Tefila at 300 Hammond Pond Parkway, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 on Tuesday, January 8th at 12 noon. Following interment at Lindwood Memorial Park in Randolph, shiva will be observed at the home of Martin Alpert at 280 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill on Tuesday until 8pm; on Wed. and Thurs. from 2-4pm and 6:30–8:30pm; and Friday from 12 – 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Congregation Mishkan Tefila or the Elie Wiesel Center for Jewish Studies at BU, 147 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215.

Baker-Joan (Tepper), of Easton MA on January 4, 2013. Beloved wife of Burton Baker. Devoted mother of Michael Tepper and his wife Dianne, Richard Tepper and his wife Jill, and Melissa and her husband Eric Kagan. Proud grandmother of Ryan, Brittany, Abby, Alex, Joey, Amanda, and Sam. Loving sister of S. David Goldberg and his wife Carol, and Frances and her husband Bernard Gilfix. Joan was the owner of Jaimes Place of Easton for 35 years. Services at Temple Beth Abraham, (1301 Washington St., Canton, MA) on Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 11:00 am. Following interment at Sharon Memorial Park, memorial observance will be at the home of Melissa and Eric Kagan until 8 pm, and will continue Monday 4-8 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Oliver Ames High School Scholarship Fund, PO Box 205, North Easton, MA 02356.

Anna Rae (Sachs) Wheeler – of Newton, on January 4, 2013. Beloved wife of the late Harry Wheeler. Devoted mother of Todd T. Wheeler and his wife Barbara, and Jeffrey W. Wheeler and his wife Suzanne. Dear grandmother of Dr. John H. Wheeler and his wife Christie, Douglas A. Wheeler and his wife Margo, Adam S. Wheeler and his wife Kara, Andrew C. Wheeler and his wife Melissa, and Jennifer A. Jarit and her husband Dr.Gregg Jarit. Loving great grandmother of Benjamin M., Zachary H., Matthew O., Madeleine K., Catelyn A., Jack H., Alexis L. Wheeler, Austin H. and Hayden R. Jarit. Dear sister of the late Dr. Bertram Sachs and Ardyth Jurist. Graveside services at Sharon Memorial Park (Opposite 41 Dedham St.), Sharon, on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 11:45 am. Following services, memorial observance will be at the home of Andrew and Melissa Wheeler until 9pm Monday, Tuesday 1-4pm, 6-8pm. Remembrances to Harry Wheeler Memorial Fund at Temple Sinai,50 Sewall Ave., Brookline, MA 02446.