Obituaries

Zvi Galani of Bedford, Massachusetts was born in Warsaw, Poland on October 21, 1936 and passed away on January 13, 2024. He leaves his wife Bobby of 56 years, his daughters Elizabeth Zimmerman of Bedford, New York and Judy Anderson of Austin, Texas, his son-in-law David Zimmerman and grandchildren Julia, Drew and Charlie Zimmerman, and Griffin, Owen and Jonah Plasse as well as his sister Aviva Galani of Haifa, Israel.

Not long after Poland was invaded by Germany during WWII, Zvi and his parents escaped to Russia and ended up in Siberia where they spent four years in very difficult conditions. In 1944, they were allowed to leave Siberia and reached Ukraine where Zvi attended Russian school. They remained in Ukraine until the end of the war.

After the war, they traveled to Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Austria where they spent several months in a refugee camp run by American troops. In 1946, they and other refugees crossed the Alps on foot to Verona, Italy. During the four-year stay in Italy, Zvi attended Italian schools and began learning piano, which became a lifelong passion.

In spring of 1949, they immigrated to Israel where Zvi attended the Technical High School of the Technion in Haifa. He then served his military service as part of the Israeli Air Force. After his discharge in 1958, Zvi joined his parents in Tehran, Iran and worked as a radio and television technician.

In September 1959, he traveled to the United States to study at The Milwaukee School of Engineering, graduating first in his class with a BS in Electrical Engineering. In 1963, he began employment with General Electric in Lynchburg, Virginia as a Design Engineer. In 1966, he accepted a position with Metcom in Salem, Massachusetts. Following that, he began graduate studies at Cornell University where he received both an MS and PhD in Electrical Engineering.

In 1967, he met and married his wife, Bobby. After being highly sought out for his expertise, he accepted a position at Raytheon in 1972 as a Senior Engineer in their Missile Systems Division. He was promoted to Section Manager in 1976, and then to Consulting Engineer in 1985, the highest level attainable at that time.

At Raytheon, he was involved in the solution of design and production problems on many programs. His name is on many publications, presentations, and inventions. He was a Life Fellow of his professional society IEEE.

After retiring, he spent eight years doing consulting work. In his retirement, he continued his love of learning taking classes in music, science, and history. He enjoyed hobbies such as reading, listening to music, playing piano, and visiting with his daughters and six grandchildren.

Funeral Service on Monday, January 15, 2024 at Temple Emunah 9 Piper Rd. Lexington, MA at 1:00 pm. Followed by burial at Kovner Cemetery, 776 Baker St. West Roxbury.

Howard “Howie” Schlang of Plymouth MA passed away on January 11, 2024 after a brief illness.  Howie, beloved son of the late David and Betty Schlang, was born in Boston, grew up in Mattapan, MA and was a long-time resident of Randolph, MA.

Howie was a beloved husband of Ruthann for 51 years and a loving father to his daughter Dana and her husband Donal; his son Michael and his wife Melanie.  He was also a fun-loving Zadie (grandfather) to his four grandchildren Caleigh, Jacob, Adam, and Dylan.  Howie was a cherished brother to the late Burt Cooperstein and the late Judith Rothenberg.  Howie was also a proud uncle to Karen and her husband Steve; Amy and her husband Larry.

Howie was dedicated to his place of employment, the United States Postal Service in Brockton, MA, for 30 years and he took pride in assuming a leadership role in the American Postal Workers Union.

Howie loved to be in Cape Cod soaking up the sun and the saltwater especially with his family.  Howie was also an avid sports fan and he was an accurate free-throw shooter in his own right.  Howie will be remembered for many things but he will always be remembered as the ultimate family man.

Towvim, Harvey, 88, of Natick, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2024. Loving husband of Naomi. Father of Adam, Daniel, and Joshua. Brother of Judy Towvim Murad. Grandfather of Ava, Benjamin, Jacob, and Rebecca. Father-in-law to Geri and Laura. Son of the late Theodore and Miriam. Funeral Service on Monday, January 15, 2024 at 12pm at Temple Shalom of Newton. Burial to follow at 1:30pm at Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon, MA.

BLANK, Marcy (Ackerman). Beloved wife of the late Martin T.  Daughter of the late Daniel and Gertrude (Feldman) Ackerman. Sister to the late Lillian LeVine, Sophie Norris, Pearl Greenblatt, Miriam Kirstein, Shirley Roseman. Born in Somerville, MA. Graduate of Cambridge Latin HS and Burdett College. Longtime resident of Natick and Framingham. Late of Wayland and Peabody. Loving mother of Cheryl, Dale (Tom), Elyse and David (Craig). Devoted grandmother of Lindsay (Frank), Michael and Mackenzie. Also survived by dear nieces and nephews. Burial in Framingham-Natick Jewish Cemetery January 21 at 11am. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Remembrances to Brooksby Village Resident Care Fund or the charity of your choice.

Edward Isaakovich Donin passed away on January 10, 2024 at the age of 90 at Royal Health Braintree.

Edward was a son of the late Isaak and Sarra (Lekach) Donin from Belarus. He was born in Minsk in 1933, and grew up in Moscow. From a young age he loved fixing things by taking them apart to learn how they work. He graduated from the Bauman Moscow State Technical University and went on to work as an aeronautical engineer at the Yakovlev Design Bureau. Later, he designed hydraulic pumps at the Science Research Institute for Hydraulic Machinery until immigrating to the USA in 1992.

Edward had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed telling stories of his remarkable lifetime adventures and encounters. He had built many lasting relationships throughout his life, and these lifelong friendships are some of his biggest accomplishments. He was a role model for his daughter, a beloved cousin and uncle, and a loyal friend.

Edward was predeceased by his wife of 38 years, Vera (Perlin) Donin, and a brother, Alexandr Donin. He is survived by his daughter Irina and her husband Truong, his grandchildren Simon and Eva, and extended family.

Graveside service will be held at B’Nai Brith Cemetery at 55 St. Johns Rd., Worcester, MA  at 1:30 pm on Sunday, January 14, 2024.

In Loving Memory of Liela Steltzer

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

Alan Ehrlich, age 83 of Framingham, MA passed peacefully on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 surrounded by his loving family.  He was the devoted husband of Susan (Silk) Ehrlich with whom he shared 61 wonderful years of marriage.  Born in Boston, MA, he was the son of the late Elia and Bertha Ehrlich.  In addition to his beloved wife, are his daughter, Elise Ehrlich and husband Michael Sams of New Orleans, LA and son, Evan Ehrlich and his wife Theresa of Hopedale and granddaughter Jaci, the love of his life; brother, Burton Ehrlich and wife Marian and sister, the late Eileen (Ehrlich) and Bernard Ford and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.  After earning a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern University, he spent over 39 years at Raytheon Company.  After his retirement, he volunteered for 15 years as an AARP tax consultant.  He spent the past 6 years dedicated to the Board of his condo association at Harbour Towne in Sarasota, FL.  Services will be held at Temple Beth Sholom, 50 Pamela Rd., Framingham, MA on Friday, January 12, 2024, at 10 am. Interment to follow at Moses Mendelsohn Cemetery, Edgemere Rd., West Roxbury, MA. Memorial observance will begin Saturday, January 13, from 5-8 pm, and Sunday, 1-3 pm at the Ehrlich home. Donations in Alan’s memory may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284, Temple Beth Sholom, 50 Pamela Rd, Framingham, MA 01701, or the charity of your choice.

Dr. Richard Wiesman, born on October 7, 1954, son of Harold and Elaine and brother to John and Ron, grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. Richard moved to Boston to attend MIT and graduated with a BS, MS, and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering.  It was in Boston that he also met his wife of 44 years Suzanne.

He worked at Foster Miller / QinetiQ for over 40 years starting as an Engineer and ending his tenure as the Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer.  Most recently, Richard served as a Senior Fellow for General Atomics, as a member of Arsenal Capital’s Industrial Growth Advisory Board, and held a faculty position as a Professor of the Practice in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at MIT.

He was a devoted and caring husband to Suzanne. Together they took great pleasure in traveling, hiking, snowshoeing, being with friends, and most of all, raising their three children: Josh, David and Ben, and being grandparents to their grandchildren-  Elena, John, William and Julian.

Richard is survived by his wife Suzanne; his son Josh and his wife Kristina; his son David and his wife Haley; his son Ben and his wife Emily; and his grandchildren Elena, John, William, and Julian.

Services will be held at Congregation Or Atid 97 Concord Rd, Wayland, MA 01778 on Thursday 1/11/24 at 10:00AM followed by interment at the Beit Olam Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Heart Association.

It is with great sadness that we share that David (Dave) Benjamin Stone, of Milford, MA, passed away January 7, 2024 surrounded by love.

He grew up in Newton, MA where he found his true passion at a very young age: Cars. A true grease monkey, Dave was a muscle car enthusiast.  He began his long career as a Taxi Cab driver and a tow truck driver where he really fell in love with fixing cars.

He then worked at a few different garages, including Zayers where he met his then wife, Joanie; who he remained close with up until the day of his passing.  Ultimately he became the proud owner of what we all have known as our second home for the last 30 years, Stone’s Auto Service in Natick, MA.

He was the devoted father to Matthew Stone, Samantha Camuti and her husband Christopher, Andrew Stone, Joshua Stone, and Maranda Stone. He shared his passion with his kids by watching NASCAR on Sundays and shoveling everyone in the car to head to a car show.

He was the very proud grandfather of Charlie and Casey. He shared that being a dad was great but there was really something special about being a Grandpop.

Loving brother of James Stone, and Carolyn Lilien. Dear son of the late Paul and Pearl (Itkin) Stone and a very loyal friend to all.

If you knew Dave at all you already know the kind of person he was; extremely generous and selfless; always giving, never taking and always trying to do the right thing and be fair to everyone.

A graveside service will take place for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in memory of Dave to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Rakoff, Linda (Riesenberg), of Newton, MA, passed away Jan 6, 2024. Beloved wife of Bryon Rakoff. Devoted mother of Rachel Elizabeth Rakoff. Funeral Service at Temple Reyim, 1860 Washington St., Newton, MA on Monday, January 8, 2024 at 12:30 pm. Interment to follow at Puritan Cemetery (776 Baker St., West Roxbury), memorial observance will be at the Rakoff home Monday through Thursday 4:00-6:00 pm and 7:00–8:30 pm, Ma’ariv service beginning each night at 7:30 pm.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Linda’s memory may be made to Mass General Cancer Center at Newton Wellesley, 2014 Washington St., Newton, MA 02462