Obituaries

To view recording of Ruth’s funeral, please click here.

A link to view the interment service can be found here.

Ruth Shapiro passed away at age 90 on May 8, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

She was a rare bird; rare like a gemstone, and free like a bird to soar.  She was an artist, business trailblazer, teacher, spiritual seeker, leader, confidante. But most of all, she was a woman with a generous, welcoming, enormous heart.

Ruthie’s commitment to community, friends, family, beauty, and joy infused every aspect of her life. Whatever Ruthie did, she did with gusto. As an educator she used art to motivate students with learning challenges. In business she broke barriers, achieving positions and accolades traditionally reserved for men. In her communities she encouraged dialogue and sought opportunities for togetherness. Ruthie was not easily discouraged and always persevered when challenged, trusting her instincts and leading the way for others. Ruthie will always be remembered as a forward thinker. She freely shared her love of life, her commitment to lifelong learning, and her acceptance…no, her welcoming…of change.

Getting to know and spending time with Ruthie was a gift.  Ruthie and her husband Danny knew how to celebrate, and relishing life was central to their marriage. Guests at their home in Brewster entered a space that was curated to spark laughter and serve a feast for the eyes, taste buds and heart.

Ruthie was married to Danny Shapiro for 42 years prior to his death in 1998.  A loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, Ruthie’s love, encouragement, and wise counsel are among her enduring gifts to her children, Barry Shapiro (and wife Lois), Suzan Ushman (and husband Wayne) and Jeff Shapiro (and wife Valeria Indice); to her siblings, Tom Dokton (and partner Anita Waxman) and Ellen Dokton (and husband Stephen Schmidt); to her grandchildren Annie and Laura Shapiro, Benjamin and Dov Ushman; to her nieces and nephews, Rachel Doyne, Nicole Dunn, Fredda Zaiger, Ken Shapiro, Cindy Siagel, and Mark Shapiro.

How she lived her life was how she ended it: with dignity, grace, and love.

A funeral service followed by the burial will be held on Sunday, May 12, 2024 at 1:00 p.m., at the Sharon Memorial Park Chapel at 40 Dedham Street, Sharon, followed by a meal of consolation at Temple Sinai at 25 Canton Street, Sharon.  The family will sit shiva on Monday, May 13, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the home of Suzan and Wayne Ushman. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Am HaYam – Cape Cod Havurah or the Lower Cape Outreach Council.

Richard S. Keesan, passed away on May 3, 2024 at the age of 95.

Beloved husband of Linda Keesan. Loving father of Barry Keesan and Carol (Alan) Stone. Proud grandfather of Kim Stone (David), Matthew Keesan, Jeremy (Melissa) Stone and Joshua (Teresa) Keesan. Enthralled great-grandfather of Chase and Brynn Berkowitz, Sydney and Gavin Stone and Zoe and William Keesan. Further survived by many nieces, nephews, countless other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his six siblings: Edie, Doris, Joseph, Lillian, Jack, and Stanley.

Richard “Whitie” and his twin brother, Stanley “Blackie”, were the last of seven children born to immigrant parents, Morris and Anna Keesan. The tragic loss of their father in 1930 and the onset of the Great Depression created great financial hardship for the family. These circumstances compelled him to earn money at an early age and, years later, he attributed his business success to the intensely focused work ethic he developed to overcome an impoverished childhood.

Starting out as a salesman with Morrison & Schiff Co., Inc. and nothing more than a dream and the willingness to work hard, Richard became a highly regarded restauranteur who designed, built, owned and operated a number of popular Boston area restaurants. His holdings included the Deli-Haus, Capucino’s, Al Dentes as well as the Rose Gordon Hotel at Nantasket Beach.

In his later years as the owner of “Golden Clouds Villa” in Jamaica, he transformed the property into one of the north coast’s premier villas, widely known for its superb cuisine, extensive amenities, and the excellence of its service staff. During the course of his 30 year tenure, he became invested in the people and culture of Oracabessa, and received a special Award by the Jamaican Institute of Architects and the granting of the Award by the Governor General of Jamaica.

Business associates will remember Richard as a financially savvy entrepreneur who brought creativity, intelligence and passion into everything he did. His family will remember him with gratitude as “Poppy” the loving, generous, and entertaining patriarch, a father, grandfather and great-grandfather who was always there to help.

A private service will be held at the Anshe Poland Cemetery in Woburn, MA.

Memorial donations may be made to The Anna Keesan Scholarship Fund, Boston Latin School, 27 School St., Suite 300, Boston, MA 02108.

SHARE, Dorothy Our dear mother, Dorothy Share, of Boston, Massachusetts passed away peacefully in the hospital on May 3, 2024, at the age of 99. She grew up in Mattapan, MA with her parents Max Klein and Esther Rosenthal and her two sisters. She was predeceased by her husband of 32 years, Robert Share, former provost of Berklee College of Music, and her sister Barbara. She is survived by her son, David Share, her daughter, Susan Gongora, son-in-law Samuel and sister Bernice. She was a beautiful person who spread joy and happiness wherever she went and was much loved by family and friends. She will be greatly missed. A graveside funeral service will be held in her honor at Sharon Memorial Park in Sharon, MA on Tuesday May 7, 2024 at 11:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to donate to Berklee College of Music as follows: https://college.berklee.edu/giving/make-gift Designation: Other Specify: Robert Share Scholarship

Alan Silverstein on Tuesday May 1, 2024 passed away peacefully at the age of 95.  Husband of the late Eleanor Silverstein. Alan is survived by his loving daughter Bonnie, son Gary and his wife Marcia.  Grandchildren Steven and his wife Rachel, Michael and his wife Sharon. Great grandfather of Zachary and Evan, and his sister Lenore.  He is predeceased by his parents Laura and Irving. Graveside services will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 11:45 AM at Sharon Memorial Park.  Donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

It is with great sorrow that we announce the death of Paul Morgan Schaffrath Jr. Paul was born on October 29,1944 and departed this world on April 28, 2024. Paul is predeceased by his loving wife and soul mate Susan Kron. In a beautiful twist of fate he has been reunited with Susan in time for their May 4th wedding anniversary. Paul is survived by his loving and devoted daughters Sara Greene and Megan Peterson. Paul is survived by his grandchildren: Leif Peterson, Grania Greene, Lars Peterson, Hannah Newman, and Symone Newman. Paul is also survived by his brother William Schaffrath and daughter Kristen Newman.

Paul loved art, music and movies. Everyone who had the privilege to know him commented on his humor and how he’d dance and sing along to whatever song was playing. He had a fondness for his childhood home in Millinocket, ME and spoke often in his later years about his time there while his father, Paul Sr. worked in the paper mill. Paul served in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan before returning home to attend Syracuse University for graphic design. He went on to have a long and successful career as a creative and art director for a number of prominent publications including Sailboat, Inc. Magazine, High Technology, Digital Review and PC Week.

Paul and his wife Susan loved to travel. He documented their many trips along with everyday life through his passion and gift for photography. He had the ability to frame even mundane subjects in an interesting way. He used his quirky sense of humor to spotlight objects like toasters or objects out in the world that struck his eye.

A private service and burial will be held by his immediate family. A celebration of life for extended family and friends will occur at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Good Shepherd Community Care, the compassionate hospice organization that helped to bring Paul comfort in his final months. You can find them at https://gscommunitycare.org/Donate

Graveside service at Framingham – Natick Hebrew Cemetery on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 12:00 Noon.

Служба у могилы на еврейском кладбище Фрамингем-Натик в пятницу, 3 мая 2024 г., в 12:00.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Igor’s memory may be made to the Zdorovie Adult Day Health Center, 17 Strathmore Rd., Natick, MA 01760

Doris Swig formally of Newton, MA passed away peacefully with her family by her side on April 30, 2024.

The daughter of Esther & Louis Mintaz of “Blessed Memory”. Doris was the loving wife of the late Sumner Swig, to whom she had been married for 34 years. Sumner passed away in 1980 at the tender age of sixty.

Doris was the adored mother of David Swig, Delray Beach, Ellyn Goldstein, Boca Raton, Nancy Mashman, Boca Raton, and, Susan Swig, Sharon, MA. Cherished grandmother of Matthew, Emily, Allison & Samantha.

Beloved grandmother of Tyler, Brooke, and Jacoby. The beloved sister of the late Rose Krien, Irwin Mintz, Gurda Bass, Bertha Solow, and Stella Silver all of “Blessed Memory”. Funeral Services were held  at Sharon Memorial Park located in Sharon, MA.,on Thursday, May 2,2024. Contributions can be made in Doris’s name to:

Alzheimer Foundation of America

Barbara Lee (Bassin) Greene, formerly of Boston, died on April 28, 2024, in Atlanta, GA. A family service was held at Sharon Memorial Park on Friday, May 3, 2024.

Selma Kriss: A Legacy of Artistic Brilliance and Warmth

Selma Kriss, a remarkable individual known for her artistic brilliance and warm familial love, passed away at the age of 97 on April 24, 2024. Her life was a rich tapestry woven with threads of creativity, education, and family bonds, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations.

Personal Reflections: Selma’s unwavering support and playful spirit endeared her to those around her. Her passion for art was contagious; a visit to MoMA in 1962 ignited a lifelong admiration for pop art icons like Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein, and Andy Warhol. And who could forget her culinary adventures, including the memorable chicken paprikash that transformed into a fiery feast with cayenne pepper instead of paprika, still evoking smiles from those of us who recall it.

Family Ties: Married to Harold Kriss for 64 years prior to his death in 2013, Selma was a loving wife and mother. Her love and guidance are her enduring gifts to her children Mitch (Toby) Kriss and Peggy (Cliff Pollan)  Kriss,  her grandchildren Becky (Eric) Burger, Erica Ben-Moshe, Lisa (Sam) Kessler & Jenn (Zaid Hassan) Pollan, and her great-grandchildren, Shane and Hallie Burger, Matan Ben-Moshe, Noah and Sophie Kessler.

Each relationship was a unique bond, cherished and nurtured with care.

Proudest Achievements: Selma’s artistic talent was matched only by her dedication to sharing it with others. Not only was she a master of her craft, having earned a Master’s degree in Art, but she was also a beloved art teacher in Syosset, NY schools. Her legacy lives on in the minds of her students and the beauty of her oil, acrylic, and silkscreen works with many of her pieces adorning her family’s homes

In Memoriam: A graveside service in honor of Selma Kriss will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Beit Olam East Cemetery (42 Concord Road/Route 126, Wayland, MA). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago or Mary Ann Morse in Natick, MA, reflecting Selma’s compassionate spirit.

A Family’s Message: Selma’s journey was long and filled with moments of joy, challenge, and triumph. Her family fondly remembers her as a woman whose heart and art were as expansive as her legacy. “She lived a long life, and she will forever be in our hearts,” they say.

It is with a broken heart that we say goodbye to Herbert “Herbie” Wiener of Needham, MA. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Florence, his daughters Michele Sharaf and Beth Wiener, and his grandsons Benjamin and Daniel Sharaf. Herbie lost a short battle with pneumonia a few weeks after his 98th birthday. A WWII veteran and Purple Heart recipient, Herbie was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.

A 1951 graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Herbie had lifelong thirst for knowledge. Despite an effortless everyman appeal, he was an intellectual at heart. He loved opera and classical music, read the newspaper cover-to-cover every day, consumed documentaries and public broadcasting religiously, followed politics and world events closely and was determined to master his iPhone.

While his family defined Herbie more than his work, early in his life he was a union man with The International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union. Subsequently, he worked alongside his father-in-law in his auto salvage business. At the end of his father-in-law’s life, Herbie cared for him like a natural born son – just another quiet testament of his love and devotion for his wife, Florence. Herbie continued working the auto salvage business for another 25 years well into his 90s until the day it was sold just a few years ago.

He was a voracious reader with an encyclopedic memory and whip smart sense of humor. An easy-going social butterfly, Herbie didn’t have a judgmental bone in his body – rarely did a mean word come out of his mouth. He believed in charitable giving, never took the last piece without asking and had a strong sense of right and wrong.

Doctors often marveled at his resilience and had the pneumonia not taken him, he would have easily celebrated his 100th birthday. Words cannot express how deeply he will be missed. Herbie left an indelible mark on this world and he will be remembered fondly by those who knew him.

Graveside service at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA on Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 11:45 am. In lieu of flowers, donations in Herbert’s memory may be made to the Anti Defamation League, www.adl.org. or the Needham Senior Center, 300 Hillside Ave., Needham, MA 02494