Obituaries

Daniel Louis Grosser died at age  101 on October 24. 2023 after a wonderful 67  year marriage with his most beloved and devoted wife Selma (Cloper) Grosser.  Daniel was the father of 3 sons, Joel, (Jenny Grimes), David (Vivian Glassman) and Michael (Kate Birenbaum).   He was a very proud “Grandpa Dan” to his 8 grandchildren—Ondine, Arielle, Stefan, Laura, Anna, Sam, Emma and Eli Grosser.

Daniel was the cherished son of Jack and Katie Grosser and grew up in the West End of Boston until the family moved to Brookline.   He attended the Boston Public Schools and Boston Latin High School.  He was the loving brother of Bernard Grosser, MD of Utah and dear brother-in-law of Karen McArthur.

Upon graduating from Northeastern University as a Mechanical Engineer he enlisted in the Army Air  Corps in 1944 the predecessor to today’s U. S. Air Force where he helped in designing WWII Aircraft like the B17 Flying Fortress.   As a youth Dan loved the outdoors.  He enjoyed canoeing, hiking and camping.

Upon discharge he returned to school and  did his graduate work at the University of Michigan.  For over 30 years he worked for the Department of Defense.

Most importantly, Daniel was a family man always trying to instill values and love of knowledge  in his children. Dan was a voracious reader.   He loved reading westerns, especially books by Louis L’Amour.   Dan was a gentleman and a scholar who never had a harsh word about anyone.

Services were privately held with family from Virginia, Houston, Utah and California in attendance at the Grosser Family plot at Temple Mishkan Tefila  cemetery .   Daniel will be missed by his family and the few remaining friends as a kind and pleasant man with a sharp and low-keyed wit.  With sorrow we say Shalom to Daniel Grosser.

Contributions to a charity of choice will be welcomed.

To view the service recording please click here.

Elliot David Lobel, 75, of Weston, Massachusetts passed away on October 15 after being struck by a car in the Dordogne region of France doing what he loved—biking with his beloved wife, Lenore Zug Lobel, and friends while travelling the world.

Elliot was born in Boston in 1948 to Esther Freaman Lobel and Louis Lobel.  He grew up in Brighton and Newton with his sisters Merna Victor and Harriet Segal.  He attended Newton South High School before earning his B.A. from Tufts University in 1970, his J.D. from New York University School of Law in 1973, and his LL.M. in Taxation from Boston University Law School in 1977.

Elliot was one of the founding partners of the law firm, Prince Lobel Tye, and his pride in and loyalty to the firm never waned.  Prior to that, Elliot served as an Assistant United States Attorney and Middlesex County Assistant District Attorney. Elliot’s reputation as a zealous advocate and trustworthy counsellor was unparalleled, one of the main reasons he was asked to serve as special counsel to the Committee on Professional Responsibility for the Clerks of Court by the Supreme Judicial Court.

Elliot thrived on educating and mentoring youth.  He instructed a number of trial advocacy courses, including at the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, the United States Department of Justice, Harvard Law School, Suffolk University Law School, among others. Elliot was a proud alumnus of Tufts University and a past recipient of the Tufts University Citizen Lawyer of the Year Award for his efforts in creating a pro bono program offering support to low-income individuals in need of legal guidance.  For many years, he served on the Board of Advisors of the Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts.

For all his accomplishments, Elliot cared most about his family and friends. He was married for 41 years to Lenore, sharing a thirst to love, laugh, learn and adventure together. Elliot loved his three children, Katie, Louis and Annie, and his two grandchildren, Sierra and Cardiff. Elliot remained a loyal friend and trusted confidante to so many in life who would seek him out for advice and help, which he generously provided. He had an infectious laugh and special ability to make people feel seen and heard. He left this world far too soon, but lived life to its absolute fullest to the very end.

A celebration of Elliot’s life will be held at 3:30 pm on Sunday October 29 at Temple Beth Elohim, 10 Bethel Road, Wellesley, MA. The family will gather with friends and family at the temple following the service.  The family will also gather at the family home in Weston on Monday and Tuesday October 30-31 from 1-3 pm, and on Wednesday and Thursday November 1-2 from 5-7 pm, where friends and family are invited to share stories and memories of Elliot’s life. Friends and family are also invited to share photos, stories and memories to the email elliotstories48@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers and in celebration of Elliot’s lifelong love of mentoring and engaging with young people, donations can be made in Elliot’s name to a non-profit supporting youth in your community.

Please register for the livestream here.

Michael Ralph Levy, 93, of Newton, passed away on Friday, October 20, surrounded by family.  A long-time resident of Wayland, Michael was born in Boston on January 2, 1930.  He was the only child of William and Eunice Isenberg Levy.  Michael’s long and rich life was filled with service:  to his country in war, to his community, to his faith, and to his family.  He was married for 67 wonderful years to Joyce (nee Sasson) and their partnership was a beautiful model of devotion, growth, learning, acceptance and love.

Michael grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts and graduated from Worcester Academy.  He received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from The College of William and Mary in 1951 and immediately joined the United States Navy, enrolling in Officers Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island.  Michael bravely served as Lieutenant J.G. on the destroyer USS McGowan (DD678) during combat in the Korean War, receiving four separate medals during his three years of service.  Michael was very proud of his service and credited his time in the Navy for one of his most enduring life skills: grace under pressure.

Michael served his community for several years as Chairman of the Wayland School Committee, a position he devoted countless hours to, having run his campaign as the “Prepared Candidate.”  Michael served his faith as a founder and president of Temple Beth Am in Framingham, and later as a trustee of Congregation Shirat HaYam in Nantucket.

Michael had a long and fruitful career in business, first as an engineer in the emerging electronics field of the 1950’s, where he designed components for the Apollo missions, and later as a ‘serial entrepreneur’ in the microprocessor and software industries.  Then later in his career, Michael was the founder and CEO of ProfitLogic of Cambridge, a venture-backed artificial intelligence company, eventually sold to Oracle in 2005.

Michael and Joyce enjoyed a productive retirement including attending the Harvard Institute for Learning (HILR), where Michael taught courses.  Michael traveled the world with Joyce and often with their grandchildren, from Alaska to Australia to Africa to India to China.  Michael’s final years were spent “learning, loving and laughing” with new friends at Lasell Village in Newton.

Michael was persistently curious and a life-long tinkerer.  He was a licensed pilot and an award-winning amateur photographer.  Then there was that wooden boat he just had to build by hand.  He never stopped.  As he entered his 10th decade, Michael taught himself how to craft high-quality fountain pens from scratch.  And the list of broken objects Michael fixed along the way is legendary.

For all his accomplishments, Michael will be mostly remembered by his friends and family for his limitless font of wisdom, knowledge, deep conversation, genuine warmth and authenticity.   He also shared his “loving” impatience when his family failed to do ‘it’ correctly or fiddled without purpose.

Michael shared a deep and special relationship with each of his six grandchildren: Alexandra, Isaac, Samuel, Gabriel, Shay and Maxwell, to whom he guided and doted on with devoted relish.  Family life was centered in Joyce and Michael’s beloved Nantucket, where they met by chance on Jetties Beach in 1955.  Many summer evenings were spent devouring Papa’s chicken along with his special Gin and Tonics and many days were spent enjoying the bucolic view from the deck that brought Michael solace and joy.  Michael and Joyce built many traditions with friends and family, which enriched their retirement years.

In addition to Joyce, Michael is also survived by his two sons, Adam and Joshua and daughters-in-law Marla and Rachel, and many loving nieces and nephews, extended family, and adoring friends all of whom were enriched by every conversation they had with Michael.

A celebration of Michael’s life will be held at 11:30AM on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at Temple Beth Elohim, 10 Bethel Road, Wellesley, MA.  Burial to follow in Sharon Memorial Park.  Shiva will then be held at the home of Joshua Levy and Rachel Rock in Newton through 7:30 pm that day.  All friends and family are invited to come together to share stories and memories of Michael’s long and incredible life. Memorial donations may be made in Michael Levy’s name to the Adult Leukemia Program at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute where Michael received outstanding and compassionate care.

Marian “Merrilee” Richter

She was born in Winthrop, MA to Leo and Ella Warshaw and died at her home in Mashpee MA at age 80 of natural causes.

She is survived by Dr. Robert Richter, her husband of 53 years and by her son Dr. Gregory Richter.

Merrilee was educated at the Cherry Lawn School (in Darien, CT), Adelphi University (BA), Wagner College (Masters degree in Infectious Disease and Public Health) and at NYU (PhD in Microbiology)

She was trained as a clinical microbiologist and directed hospital labs in NY and MA. She then worked at SmithKline Clinical Labs in Boston where she became the Associate Technical Director and regional information system manager; and later at headquarters in King of Prussia, PA where she was the National Manager of Lab Systems Planning. After 20 years at SmithKline, she became vice-president of the TrueNorth Group, a consultancy to the pharmaceutical industry for laboratory support of clinical trials, software development and strategic planning. She retired in 2011.

Those are the facts, but they don’t describe the person.

Merrilee was smart and funny with an innate sense of style. She loved to sing and did so in a Temple choir, and community Gilbert and Sullivan productions. She preferred folk music, choral music of any type, and Jewish music (both liturgical and secular). She had a lovely alto voice.

Cooking and eating well were her passions. She was never happier than when she was at the stove; whether hosting a large Passover or Thanksgiving meal, a communal Yom Kippur break the fast, or a simple dinner for two. Evenings out were almost always built around a restaurant meal.

She cherished her good friends and kept close to them even after she moved from Wayland to the Cape. They were a constant source of comfort to her. Merrilee’s relationships were longstanding and included friends from growing up in Winthrop; from high school and from college. She became a devoted Facebook user.

Merrilee was a lifelong learner who just devoured books and later in life, became more interested in her Jewish heritage. She studied Hebrew and Jewish history and became a Bat Mitzvah at age 72. It was one of her proudest moments.

Perhaps most of all, she was devoted to her family The main beneficiaries of her love were her late parents, her husband and son; but her love also enveloped her extended family of aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews. She was always giving, never asking for anything in return.

Merrilee suffered from severe chronic lung disease and from a stroke at age 76. She gracefully accepted her declining health. She never complained or was angry. She tried to find beauty in every day she was allowed to live.

She touched many people’s lives and will be missed by all of them.

To view the recording of the service, please click here.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the service.

Laura (Sugarman) Altman, 86, of Scottsdale, Arizona passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. Laura was born in Boston, Massachusetts the daughter of Natalie (Waldman) and Louis Sugarman. Laura was a graduate of Newton High School, Simmons College (University), Harvard University, and Brandeis University. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, Hersch Altman, and leaves behind her brother Paul Sugarman (Susan Richard Sugarman) and her children Roz Abukasis (Pino), Ava Harder (Bruce) and Ken Altman (Gisela Wieland) and grandchildren Yarden and Tai Abukasis, Natalie and Rebecca Harder. Laura was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt.

Laura and Hersch raised their three children in Randolph, MA. During their early years together, Laura was actively involved in their community. She was a founding member of Temple Beth Am where she held many leadership positions in the Temple and the sisterhood, served on the elementary school PTA, and was a member of Hadassah.

Laura returned to school to pursue her undergraduate degree in Psychology; she then went on to earn her Master’s in Counseling Psychology at Harvard University. She ultimately became  Clinical Director of the Milford Assistance Program (MAP) where she was highly respected by both her clinical team and her clients alike. After many years of service, Laura left clinical practice to continue her educational pursuits, earning a PhD in the Economics and Statistics of Mental Health from the Heller School at Brandeis. Laura became an international consultant, the Practice Leader and Principal at Towers Perrin (Willis Towers Watson) creating their acclaimed Managed Mental Health Practice.

Laura was an accomplished pianist and was a lover of classical music and dancing. She adored animals and nature, training dogs and riding horses. She was an avid tennis player, loved a long bike ride, and enjoyed a challenging duplicate Bridge game. As a couple, Laura and Hersch traveled extensively, exploring all corners of the world together, with dear friends, and with their family.

The funeral will be held on Monday, October 23, 2023 at 10:30 am Eastern Time at Temple Beth Elohim, 10 Bethel Road, Wellesley, MA. Interment following the service at Pultusker Cemetery, 776 Baker St., West Roxbury, MA.

Shiva will take place immediately following interment until 4:00 pm and again from 7:00–9:00 pm. Shiva will continue on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 from 1:00–4:00 pm and 7:00–9:00 pm at the Harder home.

In line with Laura’s commitment to philanthropy and her lifelong dedication to community mental health services, donations can be made to: Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JF&CS), 1430 Main Street, Waltham, MA 02451 (jfcsboston.org)

We write to share the sad news that Florence Forman, 92, passed away on October 17, 2023 having lived a long, happy and full life. Florence was the beloved mother of Joan Forman, mother-in-law of Steve Blumenthal, and cherished grandmother of Sarah Blumenthal (Jacob Forstater), Louisa Blumenthal, and Max Blumenthal (Sarah Kingston). Our condolences extend to her son Steven Forman (Liliana Marin), her eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Florence was predeceased by her beloved husband, Donald (z”l) and  daughter Debra (z”l).

Shiva will be held at the Forman/Blumenthal home at 17 Moon Hill Road, Lexington on Sunday, October 22 from 2-5pm with a minyan at 4pm. Shiva will continue on Monday, October 23 and Tuesday, October 24 from 7-9pm with a minyan at 7:30pm.

Joan writes:

My mother was born on August 24, 1931 in the Bronx to Bessie (Laikin) and Harry Sporn, the younger sister of Ruth (z”l).  She was an avid reader as a child and when she enrolled in Brooklyn College, it was to become a teacher.  She met Donald, the love of her life, in the Brooklyn College library.  They got married in 1953 and soon thereafter, Donald was drafted into the Army.  He got posted to Detroit, Michigan and eventually went to graduate school at Wayne State University on the GI Bill where Florence also studied for a Masters of Education.

They moved their family to Chicago where they lived for almost 20 years.  Florence taught in the Skokie Public Schools.  She was a beloved teacher and Reading Specialist, winning awards for her excellence as an educator.  She was also a loving and supportive mother and wife. She spent time reading with her children, taking them to museums and libraries sparking lifelong interests. She was an early example of a working woman who cared deeply about her profession along with balancing the demands of family life.

In 1976, they relocated to Chapel Hill, North Carolina where Donald was a professor in the UNC Medical School and Florence resumed her full time teaching career.  Throughout their marriage, they traveled extensively, often combining professional meetings with an extended stay just for pleasure.  Sabbaticals in Europe provided even more opportunities to enjoy living abroad.

Upon Don’s retirement, Florence continued to teach part-time until she was 80 years old.  They then launched a turtle rescue project starting with one Eastern Box Turtle, which they saved from a busy street.  The turtle refuge, housed in a sheltered garden grew to more than eight turtles, a children’s book and an interactive school program.  Florence was the Chair of the Education Committee at Judea Reform Congregation for many years, always happy to lend her expertise to her community.

Wherever she lived, she developed deep and lasting relationships and had many friends.  She was a highly intelligent, engaging conversationalist. As an extremely positive person, she always saw the good in someone or situation.  She brought her passion for reading by starting short story groups. She also had a love for art, theater and dance.  She made a beautiful home for her family and was always a stylish dresser.  She deeply loved her grandchildren, their spouses and great-grandchildren and enjoyed traveling with them and sharing their lives.

We hold the Forman/Blumenthal family in our hearts and prayers at

this difficult time. Letters of condolence can be sent to their home at 17 Moon Hill Rd. Lexington, MA 02421. Donations can be made in memory of Florence Forman to: Brooklyn College or to

Judea Reform Congregation in Durham, NC.

May the memory of Florence Forman be for a blessing.

Sylvia G. Flatto (1931–2023)

Sylvia G. Flatto, 91, of Scarborough, ME, died on 16 October after a brief illness. In 1931, she was born in Boston to the late Elizabeth and Nathan Baronick. Throughout her life she embraced the arts, from dance to painting, and loved to travel the globe with her late husband, Israel Flatto.

Sylvia is survived by her children Judy Phillips, Gayle Campbell, David and Christine Phillips, and Nathaniel and Diane Phillips; stepchildren Arlene and Michael Flatto; sisters Evelyn Finn and Marlene Davidowitz; fifteen grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

Graveside service is at 1:00pm on Sunday, 22 October, at the Mohliver Cemetery, located within the Baker Street Jewish Cemeteries, at 776 Baker Street, West Roxbury, MA. A celebration of her life will follow at 2:30pm at The Chateau Restaurant, Norwood, MA. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to American Friends of Magen David Adom at www.afmda.org/

Natly (Zuker) Gordon

Of Framingham, formerly of Boynton Beach FL and Brookline MA on 10/16/2023.

Much beloved wife of 60 years to the late Edward Gordon. Devoted and adored mother of Jerry and his wife Margie, Mark and his wife Sandra and Linda and her husband Fred. Treasured and loved grandmother of Alison and her husband Mark, Ronnie and his wife Michelle, Merissa and her husband Mark, Jamie and her wife Brigit, and Andrea. Proud and loved great-grandmother of Taylor, Matthew, Ryan, Caroline, Grace, Mark, Leo, Grey and Ford. Loving sister of Joan Berenson, the late Alan Zuker, Selma Freed and Roberta Zuker. Auntie Natly was cherished by her many adoring nieces and nephews.

Natly was a vibrant, gracious, kind and giving woman, who loved and treasured her family and many friends. She thoroughly enjoyed her Mah Jongg and Canasta games…this is the legacy she leaves behind. She will be sorely missed and will forever live in the hearts of all whose lives she touched.

Graveside Service at Beth El Cemetery, 776 Baker St., West Roxbury, on Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 11:00 am.  In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to Conquer Cancer Coalition, www.conquercancer.org, the Conquer Cancer Coalition, PO Box 973, Framingham, MA 01701.

Shelly died peacefully at the age of 84, surrounded by her loving family. Shelly was the daughter of the late Vivian & Joseph Levine and sister of the late Margie Effenson. She is survived by her beloved sister, Bobbie Hootstein, her nephew, Paul Hootstein, niece, Terri Grogan and her husband, Rich Grogan, and her cherished great niece, Sophie Grogan. Shelly had a long career in the retail industry. She was happiest spending time with her dear family and friends. A graveside funeral will be held on Friday, October 20 at 11:45am at Sharon Memorial Park in Sharon, MA. Shiva will be at Capital Grill in Chestnut Hill from 1pm to 5:30pm. Donations can be made in her memory to Care Dimensions Hospice Facility in Lincoln, MA.

Sheldon Cohen, AKA The Mayor of Harvard Square, founder of Out of Town News and beloved philanthropist of Foxborough, MA., passed away peacefully on October 15, 2023 at the age of 92 at the Village at Willow Crossing.

Beloved husband of Gaby Cohen, brother of the late Fred Cohen, father of Leslie, Beth and Marcie, beloved stepfather of Limor and Shirly and proud grandfather of Jennifer, Lindsey, Alexandra, Ethan, Matan, Cole, Sage and Storm.

Sheldon will be laid to rest at Mishkan Tefilah Cemetery, 2605 Center Street, W. Roxbury, MA at 11AM on Thursday, October 19, 2023. A Memorial observance will be held thereafter at Cannon Forge Clubhouse, 25 Cannon Forge Drive, Foxborough following the burial from 1PM-5PM.

Shiva will take place in Gaby Cohen’s home on Friday October 20^th from 2:00PM to 5:00PM

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Global Smile Foundation, 106 Access Road, Suite 209, Norwood, MA 02062 or online at www.gsmile.org.