Obituaries

Bruce Hugh Wilson, age 66, died Sunday morning when he was out running in West Newton.  Born December 18, 1957 in Milwaukee, WI to Joseph Alton Wilson and Elizabeth “Betty”, (née Frelka) Wilson. His parents owned three Naked Furniture stores in the greater Milwaukee area.  Bruce was the youngest child, with siblings Maureen (Mark) Schloesser, Vicki (Dave) Splittgerber, and Russ (Cindy) Wilson, and 18 nieces and nephews, and more than 50 grand nieces and nephews.

Bruce graduated from University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, with a BS in Engineering, from University of Wisconsin, Madison, with a MA in Mechanical Engineering, from Southern Methodist University with a MA in Electrical Engineering, and from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a PhD in Mechanical Engineering.  Bruce worked as a General Engineer at the Volpe Transportation Systems Center in Cambridge, MA.

Bruce was an engineer, yet his passion lay in the many hobbies he pursued and explored throughout his adult life.  Fluent in Spanish; conversational in Hebrew, Bruce spent years growing vegetables in raised bed, looking into the night skies exploring astronomy, taking online classes to learn about weather forecasting, and playing singles and doubles tennis at The Neighborhood Club in West Newton.  Most recently, Bruce’s two passions were photography and learning French.  Bruce was active in the Newton Art Association, Newton Open Studios, and Galatea Fine Art Gallery.

Bruce married Elizabeth Hirschhorn in 1995. Together they raised three children: Josephine (Josie), a medical student at Harvard Medical School; Frederick (Freddie), a podcaster about college and professional sports; and Amalya (Molly), soon to enroll in a Nurse Practitioner Program at Colby-Sawyer College, NH.  Josie married Michael LaScaleia in June and Molly and her partner, George, welcomed their first child, August, in May.

Funeral service will take place at Temple Shir Tikva, 141 Boston Post Rd., Wayland on Wednesday, July 24^th at 1:00 pm. Shiva will be at the family’s home Wednesday and Thursday evening from 6:00pm–8:00pm. Remembrances in memory of Bruce may be made Artisan’s Asylum @ libby.masek@artisansasylum.com, Newton neighbors Helping Neighbors, @ newtonneighbors.org/donate, or CJP Israel Emergency Fund, @ give.cjp.org/israelemergencyfund.

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Dr. Dennis Markovitz (3/17/53-07/18/24) died in a fluke swimming accident doing what he loved, being outdoors in the waves after a morning of sailing, with all of his family about to join him, at age 71. He was the adored dad of Netana and Raviv Markovitz and inspired each of them to pursue careers in medicine. He was the soulmate of his wife Elana Kreinin Markovitz, always making her laugh for 35 years, from their first date when he pretended to be old grandparents with her. He adored his granddaughter, Arielle Markovitz, and when she was not physically present building castles out of blocks with her, he was watching videos of her on repeat. He loved his daughter in-law, Michal Latzer, and was so proud of her career in tech. He loved his nieces and nephews Noa and Lyla, Jake, Zev, and Alexandra. He was the engaged brother of Sherry Markovitz and Merilyn Salomon, and to Rhoda and Michael – who was like a brother to him. He was the dearest in-law of Doron and Yael Latzer, brother-in-law to Miriam and David Souccar and Tamara Kreinin and Rosalind Hinton, always ready for an adventure. He is predeceased by his parents, Rose Buckler Markovitz and Jack Markovitz, and his in-laws who adopted him like a son, Mordechai and Marlaina Kreinin. He is remembered by the thousands of patients whose lives he touched.

Dennis was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1953. After graduating from the University of Illinois, Champagne-Urbana, he attended medical school at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, where he graduated as a member of the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society and cum laude. He went on to do his family medicine residency at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, a UCLA Affiliate Hospital, and a Fellowship in Faculty Development at the University of North Carolina. He worked as a staff physician for the United Farmworkers, as a teacher at University of Massachusetts Medical School, and on staff at Carney Hospital until he married Elana and started his own family medicine practice in Winchester, Massachusetts, affiliated with Winchester Hospital. During this time, Dr. Markovitz served as Chairman of the Department of Family Medicine at Winchester Hospital, and made the prestigious “Best Doctor in Massachusetts” list several times over. But most importantly, he was beloved by fellow physicians, other staff members, and his patients, spending hours at night and on weekends worrying about his patients, calling them to check in on them, and making sure they were okay.

He was also an accomplished musician and loved playing music with friends and family, whether it meant an impromptu concert at home or weekly band rehearsals. He also enjoyed playing and watching sports, cooking, traveling, being outside, sailing, exercising, playing fetch and going on walks with his child’s dog, drawing character of the day, and most of all, spending time with his family.

He made the most of life, and was the most incredible father, husband, grandfather, father-in-law, and friend any of us could’ve dreamed of. He will be missed dearly. We were all incredibly lucky to have him in our lives for as long as we did, and he shaped us all into the people we are today. We will carry him with us forever and he lives on in all of us.

His laughs lit up a room, he always saw the best in everyone, had the best sense of humor, and he said yes to life. To know Dennis was to love Dennis.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 22nd at 1:30pm at Temple Emunah, 9 Piper Road, in Lexington.

Those who wish may make memorial contributions, in Dennis’ memory, to the Parkinson’s Foundation, Temple Emunah in Lexington, or the Israeli Children’s Fund.

Robert Lewis Stearns (1941-2024)

Robert L. Stearns, 82, of Newton, MA, entered into rest at home on July 17, 2024.

Bob was born in Boston in 1941 to Dr. Samuel and Jeanette Stearns. After graduation from Newton High School, he earned a BA in psychology at the University of Rochester and his MBA at Boston University. He had a twenty-five year career at Bank of Boston, where he directed branch operations. He subsequently owned a small business and later worked as a senior management consultant for the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation. He formerly served as president of Boston Neighborhood Housing Services and the Boston Natural Areas Fund. He was an adjunct faculty member in the MBA program at Babson College and taught a capstone course at Newbury College. In retirement he enjoyed fishing, and remained an avid duplicate bridge player (Life Master). He was a valued member of the Board of Trustees at Cabot Estate where he lived for nineteen years before he and Barbara moved to Nahanton Woods.

Bob is survived by his cherished life-long partner Barbara Passman; children Daniel (Susan) and Debra (DJ) Watts and their mother, Harriet; his sister Ellen and her husband Steve; step-sons Jay (Amy) and Darin (Jessica) Goldberg; grandchildren Zach, Oscar, and Jacob; nieces Mara and Leah; other family members include Andrea Passman (Scot) Candell and their children Zach and Jake.

Graveside service to be held on Sunday, July 21, 2024 at 10:45 am at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham Street in Sharon. Shiva will be observed in the Activity Room at Nahanton Woods following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s memory can be made to Combined Jewish Philanthropies.

Miller, Michael W. (95) of North Hill, Needham, MA passed away July 16, 2024. Beloved husband of Sybil (Greenblatt) Miller. Devoted father of Dale and Geoffrey Norman, Lisa and Michael Wulfsohn, Richard and Tracey Miller, and Steven Miller and Rosie Ferris. Cherished grandfather of Rebecca and Rasmus, Ashley and Todd, Savannah, Alexander, Gideon, Gabriel, Jonah, Stefan, and Julia. Proud great grandfather of Noah, and Theo. Loving brother of the late Basil, Barbara, and David and many loving nieces and nephews.

Mike was born in Johannesburg South Africa in 1929 and emigrated to Providence, RI in 1979 with Sybil and their four children. Mike was an accountant in private practice in South Africa and became the Finance Director of Foster Parents Plan International in the States. Upon retirement, he joined his wife Sybil in a creative art business. Mike was the founder of the Johannesburg Jazz Club, which strove to make Jazz open and available to people of all races in then apartheid South Africa. A fine Jazz pianist, Mike performed in South Africa, Europe, and America. His music career continued and flourished during the 40+ years he lived in the Northeast. Mike was a true family man and was beloved by his old friends as well as all his treasured new friends.

Funeral Service will be at Temple Beth Elohim, 10 Bethel Rd., Wellesley, MA, on Thursday, July 18 at 11:30 am. Interment will follow these services, at Temple Emeth Memorial Park, 776 Baker Street, Boston, MA.

For those of you who cannot attend the funeral of Michael Miller, but would like to be with us, there is a live link, please click here

Shiva will be at North Hill, 865 Central Avenue, Needham, MA. on the lower level, following the funeral, 2-6 pm. Additionally, there will be Shiva on Friday, July 19^th and on Sunday, July 21^st, 2-4 pm at North Hill also on the lower level.

Please check-in at the front desk for directions. In lieu of flowers, donations in Michael’s memory may be made to Donate | Ubuntu Pathways, or Friends of the IDF, Donate – Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (fidf.org).

Mike will be missed forever and always.

Rita Schuster died peacefully at Exeter Hospital on July 16^th, 2024, after a brief illness. Rita was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. She was born on February 6^th, 1931 in New York City. She graduated from High School and attended a 2-year college in the Bronx, NY. She worked as a radiology practice receptionist.

Rita met her late husband Jack at Fu Manchu, a Chinese restaurant in New York. She was married on May 21^st, 1955. She raised 2 boys, Neal and Douglas. Rita led an active life in addition to being a homemaker. She was President of the local Bnei Brith Chapter in Rockland County, NY. She sang in the choir of Temple Beth El in Spring Valley, NY. She enjoyed playing the piano, bowling, and Mahjong. She was a wonderful and caring mother to her kids. Later in life Rita enjoyed golf with her family and eating out spending summers on Cape Cod and Winters in Florida. She loved spending time with her family, including Grandkids.

Rita is survived by her son Neal and his wife Mei of Middleton MA, daughter-in-law. Christine and her children, Kimberly and Kaitlin of Sudbury, MA. She was predeceased by her son Douglas and husband Jack.

Memorial Service is at Beit Olam east in Wayland MA on Friday July 19^th at 10:30 AM. A private reception for the family will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to Cape Cod Synagogue in Hyannis, MA or Exeter Hospital in Exeter, NH.

The Honorable Paul A. Chernoff (Ret.), of Newton, MA, died peacefully on July 15, 2024, at the age of 85. His passing was peaceful and without pain, with close family by his side.  He was a loving husband of 60 years, and a proud father and grandfather.

Born and raised in New Haven, CT, Paul received a mechanical engineering degree from Tufts University in 1961. Upon graduating, he became a Commissioned Officer in the Coast and Geodetic Survey (now the officer corps of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration), serving on ships in Pearl Harbor, Seattle and Anchorage.  After nearly four years of service, he earned a JD, with honors, from George Washington University Law School in 1967.  He then served as a Staff Attorney in the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, representing indigent defendants during turbulent times of protest and political violence. Paul then moved with his family to Massachusetts, where he was appointed Chairman of the Parole Board by Governor Sargent.

Paul was first appointed to the judiciary in 1976, serving on the Newton District Court for eight years before being appointed by Governor Dukakis to the Massachusetts Superior Court where he served for three decades. During his illustrious career, he presided over more than one thousand jury trials and sat in every county and in the vast majority of the state’s district courthouses.  He handled high-profile cases with great skill and tact, including the trial of Dr. Dirk Greineder for the murder of his wife in 2001.  He was much beloved by court staff and was known for treating litigants, the accused, and families of victims with dignity and respect. He was also a strong believer in the American jury system, going out of his way to show gratitude toward jurors and to make them feel welcome and valued during what many might otherwise consider to be a burden and inconvenience.

After retirement, he was recalled to sit on the Superior Court as a judge and later as a special magistrate to resolve drug laboratory cases.  In 2014, he joined the law firm of Brody, Hardoon, Perkins & Kesten LLP, where he presided over mediations, conciliations and arbitration disputes. He was known for going above and beyond to assist the parties in reaching a resolution, for example, by visiting the scene of every dispute where feasible at no expense to the parties.  He also worked as an Access to Justice Fellow for Veterans Legal Services, helping fellow veterans in legal matters.  Just six weeks before his passing, he won a major legal victory on behalf of a 75-year-old veteran of the Tet Offensive, after selflessly logging hundreds of hours of work on a pro bono basis.

Paul was also an educator, teaching trial practice as an adjunct faculty member at Boston College Law School starting in 1990.  He was also a valued faculty member for the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Trial Advocacy program as well as the National Judicial College.  Paul taught in these capacities for several decades, inspiring generations of young lawyers and judges.  He also helped design and run exchange programs with judges and lawyers from Japan, France, and Russia.

He used his office to bring joy to people, performing wedding ceremonies for dozens of couples, including one ceremony in Fenway Park.  He also welcomed new American citizens, performing naturalization ceremonies for people from all over the world.

In 2004, Paul received the Tufts University Career Achievement Award, and in 2007 he was presented with the Haskell Cohn Distinguished Judicial Service Award.

Paul was a marathoner as well as an avid and intrepid outdoorsman, leading family members and colleagues on hiking adventures through some of our country’s greatest natural treasures, including Glacier National Park, the Grand Canyon, Arches, Yellowstone and Yosemite. He was an enthusiastic international traveler and student of languages, taking his family to Quebec for a summer of French immersion and on several trips to Europe.  In later years, he developed a passion for writing, dedicating to his grandchildren three published books of life lessons from his own experience, titled “Bench Notes”.  Right up to his final days, he entertained and inspired family and friends with weekly essays providing his perspectives on current events and life’s challenges and absurdities.

He is survived by his wife, Lynn Chernoff, his son David, his son Steven and his wife, Naina, and his grandchildren, Rayan, Dhillon and Aliya.

A memorial service will be held at Temple Shalom in Newton, MA on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Paul’s name to Inclusive Pathways to Success, a nonprofit trade school for young adults with differing abilities.

William David Terry, M.D. died peacefully at his home in Chestnut Hill, MA, on July 14, 2024 after a long battle with cancer and a much longer life filled with numerous professional accomplishments, innumerable warm and meaningful friendships, and a significant impact on the lives of others both here and abroad, including his large family who both loved and adored him, as he did them.

Bill was born in NY on October 22, 1933 to Pauline (nee Meltzer) and Herman Terashansky, and was raised in Queens, where he was educated in the public school system.  He was not only an excellent student, but also a member of the glee club and high school track team.  Summers were happiest at camp where he became proficient at horseback riding and was an active cast member of the weekly theatrical productions.

After graduating from Cornell University with a degree in Psychology in 1954, Bill went on to receive his MD from State University of New York, Downstate, in 1958.  He did his Internal Medicine clinical training at the Jewish Hospital of Brooklyn and the Department of Rheumatology at UCSF.  In 1962, Bill became a Research Associate at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Bethesda, Maryland.  At the NCI and for the rest of his career, Bill’s administrative mantra was “only hire people who are smarter than you” and he always strove to find the best and the brightest.  Bill became Chief of the Immunology Branch at the NCI, and from 1970 to 1980 built a superb immunology research unit that still operates today.

Dinah Singer, Deputy Director for Scientific Strategy and Development, NIH, NCI, in her toast to Bill on his 90^th birthday, commented, “In 1978, I was finishing my post-doc at NCI and looking for a job… Not only did you give me a job, you showed me what it takes to be a great scientific leader – you were willing to take risks on ideas and people, and then support them.  In the years since, as I’ve taken on administrative responsibilities, the example that you set has been my guiding principle.”

In 1980, Bill was asked to take over administration of two extramural programs, the National Cancer Center’s Program and the Cancer Control Program.   There, he oversaw a budget of over one hundred million dollars, dedicated to improving all aspects of cancer care and research across the country.  Bill was responsible for helping to establish the Wilmot Fellowship Program at the University of Rochester and sat on the Wilmot Foundation Board for over forty years.

Steve Rosenberg, Chief of Surgery at the National Cancer Institute, credits Bill with creating the first ever national program devoted to developing the field of immunotherapy and said Bill’s contributions played a major role in the ultimate progress of this field.  Steve said that Bill was “a brilliant visionary” and he was honored to call him a colleague and friend.

After his time at the NCI, Bill moved into the biotech/pharmaceutical industry fields, ultimately becoming the CEO of Damon Biotech, selling it to Abbot Labs three years later.  In 1991, Bill shifted into academia, and became the Senior Vice President, Research and Ventures, Brigham Medical Center in Boston.  In 1996, the Brigham and Mass General Hospital merged into Partners HealthCare where Bill became Vice President for Corporate Sponsored Research and Licensing for the Partners HealthCare System.

After a decade in that position, Bill returned to the Brigham in the Cardiology Division of the Department of Medicine where he assisted Dr. Peter Libby and Dr. Masanori Aikawa in establishing the Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, a research collaboration sponsored by the Japanese company, Kowa Industries, and where he continued to work until his retirement at the age of 90 in 2023.

Bill’s intelligence was far-reaching, both in medicine as well as numerous other disciplines and his political interests and activities contributed to the positive outcome of numerous campaigns.  He loved art and classical music, as well as Broadway (starting with “Oklahoma” and extending to the recent revival of “Company”), and he was no stranger on the tennis court.  His long time friend, Jonathan Katz, noted that Bill was “a renaissance man with love for sports, art, literature, and music”.  He added that “Bill also had a great sense of humor with a talent for telling a good joke and a keen interest in hearing new ones.” Sailing, time with family, collaborating with his many colleagues, reading extensively – all these filled his well-lived life – but it was his kindness and caring of others that was what others always remembered.

During Bill’s tenure as Chief of Immunology at the NCI, the US entered into a binational program with the USSR for collaboration in cancer research and Bill was responsible for immunology collaboration.  The program included visits to the Soviet Union during a period of time when Jewish scientists were being discriminated against in the USSR and many were trying, with great difficulty, to leave the country.  Bill wanted to make sure that the Russian Jewish scientists knew that despite his last name being “Terry”, he was Jewish.  On his first visit to Moscow, Bill used his speech at the welcoming dinner to thank his hosts for arranging a side visit to Kiev, “the city from which my grandparents fled the pogroms of the early 1900’s”.  That was his way of letting those in this audience know that he was Jewish and it began Bill’s long side career of helping those looking to emigrate abroad, however and whenever he could.

Bill was the “go-to” person for friends and family facing medical challenges, serving as a translator for all the medical terms that they were being barraged with and couldn’t make sense of.  His wide breadth of knowledge of numerous medical specialties went to good use when he was contacted by not just friends, but by friends of friends, as well.  And if he didn’t know the answer to something, he always approached one of his numerous colleagues for their expertise.  A natural at community building, upon moving to his Chestnut Hill condo seven years ago, he started a men’s book group which brought together over a dozen men on a monthly basis to not only review what they had read, but to also discuss things of mutual interest and importance.

Bill is survived by his adored and adoring wife, Jill Greenberg, and his first wife, Caryl Bernstein, of Alexandria, VA.  His second wife, Elizabeth Weller, predeceased him, as did his beloved third wife of 38 years, Honora Kaplan. He is also survived by his children, Ellen Terry (Walter Dunn), Mark Terry (Valerie Brooks), William Dan Terry, Karen Terry, and his grandchildren, Gus and Haley Passov, and Ryan Dunn, as well as his stepchildren, Jonathan Kaplan (Jill Wilkins), Shira Kaplan (Eric Kahan), Benjamin Kaplan (Orietta Barletta) and grandchildren, Harry, Ruby, and Stella Kaplan, Emmy and Max Kahan, and Giacomo and Francesca Kaplan).

Donations in Bill’s memory may be made to prostate cancer research at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115; Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115; and to the current capital campaign at Sportsmen’s Tennis and Enrichment Center, 950 Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester, MA 02124.

Age 84, of Providence RI, entered into rest on July 13, 2024 after a brief illness. Richard was born on May 10,1940 and raised in Brookline MA. He attended the University of Virginia for undergraduate studies, and obtained a master’s degree in philosophy from Brown University.

A longtime resident of Providence, Richard was a world class numismatist, a first-rate runner and track coach, and a brilliant math teacher. Richard gave generously of himself during his lifetime as a coach and a tutor. He guided countless people in the Providence area to better math skills and faster running times. He was a passionate gardener who took great pride in tending to the gardens of his many friends.

He is survived by his beloved sister, Susan Allen, his niece Robyn Stavis and nephew Scott and wife Susie Allen, and five grandnieces and nephews of whom he was very proud.

The family would like to thank his many friends for their support and companionship over these many years.

Graveside service at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 2:45 pm.

If you wish, you may consider a donation in Richard’s memory to a charity of your choice. To send a condolence message, or a fond recollection of being coached by Richard to his family, please visit obituary listing at Legacy.com.

Carol Fain Walters, of Needham, MA and Newton, MA, passed away surrounded by family on July 4, 2024, at the age of 88. Born in New York City in 1935, she was raised in Bronxville, NY by her parents, the late William and Pauline (Berger) Goldfine, along with her sister, the late Joyce Walzer (Richard).

She received her Bachelor of Arts from Goucher College and a Master of Social Work from Simmons College. She later raised a family in Warwick and Barrington, RI with her beloved husband the late Bernard I. Fain, while serving several terms on the Barrington School Committee and as a program administrator at the Miriam Hospital in Providence, RI. After the death of her husband in 1980, she spent the next decade in New York where she worked in administration at New York Medical College and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Her next 20 years were spent in Chestnut Hill, MA where she was a consultant to nonprofit organizations, including the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare, and served on the board of the League of Women Voters of Newton. In her retirement, she returned to New York City where she shared her love of poetry by teaching a popular series of courses on an eclectic range of poets at the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House. She was an accomplished coloratura soprano, avid world traveler, and lover of the many dogs in her life.

She is survived by daughter Barbara Fain and her husband Jason Gilbert of Newton, MA, son Eric Fain and his wife Sonali of Menlo Park and La Jolla, CA, and daughter Katherine Fain and her husband Roger Thomas of New York, NY. She was the loving grandmother of Jennifer Rutherford, Amber Powers and her husband Jason, Nathaniel Gilbert, and Rebecca Gilbert, and great-grandmother to Sloane and Holden Powers.

Memorial service at Temple Shalom in Newton, MA on Monday, July 15, 2024 at 11:00am. Visiting hours at the home of Barbara Fain and Jason Gilbert following the service until 5:00pm and on Tuesday, July 16 from 5:00-7:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Guiding Eyes for the Blind at  www.guidingeyes.org.

Eugene Achter of Lexington, MA passed away July 6, 2024 due to complications from ALS.

He was the beloved husband of Katherine Achter; devoted father of Michael Achter (Nancy Achter) and Jeff Achter (Rachel Pries); cherished grandfather of four; and loving brother of Sara Henken.

Gene was born to immigrant parents and grew up in their modest household in Buffalo, NY.  He attended college at Brown University where he met Kathy, who was his wife, best friend, and the love of his life.  The two of them moved to the University of Chicago, where he earned a PhD in Chemical Physics.  A scientist and engineer by trade and by passion, he had a varied career spanning the NIH, medical instrumentation and bomb detection. In retirement, he enjoyed volunteering in the MIT Venture Mentoring Service.  Outside of work he enjoyed family, music and singing, and hiking and snorkeling.  He loved telling stories, making puns, and helping others solve problems.

Services at Temple Emunah, 9 Piper Rd., Lexington, MA on Friday, July 12, 2024 at 11:00 am. Interment to follow at Beit Olam East Cemetery, 42 Concord Rd., Wayland, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations in Eugene’s memory may be made to the ALS Association.