Obituaries

Phyllis, daughter of Anna and Nathan Price, inspired so many in her life.  She is survived by her husband Hersch who was by her side for 59 years of marriage, her sister Adele (& Ted) Wiener, her father Nathan, and children Staci (& Craig) Berkson of Framingham and Rabbi Jeff (& Carol) Clopper of Huntington Station, New York.  She is also survived by her adoring grandchildren Michael and Alyssa Berkson, and Alex, Sam, and Josh Clopper.

Phyllis spent 32 years devotedly working at the Framingham Public Library. She had a great passion for music, and her beautiful alto voice was a wonderful addition to the choir at Temple Beth Am in Framingham, Sweet Adelines, Stardust Show Chorus, and Sudbury Savoyards. She loved to sing in harmony with others, most especially with her granddaughter, Alyssa.

Her love of family was always evident.  Every new baby in the family received a sweater lovingly knitted by her.  She treasured her weekly responsibilities taking care of her grandchildren every Wednesday from the time they were infants.  That dedication to family carried over into a passion for genealogy. She was able to solve many mysteries, including the true identity of her father’s birth mother.

A funeral service was held at Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley, with interment at Beit Olam Cemetery in Wayland. In lieu of flowers, donations in Phyllis’ memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) or the charity of your choice.

Phyllis was very special and made everyone feel welcome and respected.  She will be missed by all who knew her.

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Ruth, wife of Norman Neiberg, of Newton, Mass., passed away on July 21, 2022. She lived a peaceful life surrounded by her perfectly curated garden, her ever-loving husband, and close-knit children, Joanne (and David Gladstone) of Brookline, Michael (and Jill) Neiberg of NYC, and Len Neiberg of Portland, OR, and their children.

Married for 58 years, Ruth and Norman met while she was a student at Brandeis U. She went on to work as the youngest buyer Filene’s had hired. They were a dynamic duo who enjoyed annual travel by camper to Acadia National Park where they hiked, cooked out, ate popovers and lobster, and collected new friends each summer.

At home, they could always be found sitting on the same side of the dining room table, playing cards, watching the news, reading the paper, solving a puzzle, or awaiting a call from their grandkids (Sonya and Matthew Gladstone, Jamie and Jack Neiberg, Max and Elly Neiberg).

Many good days for Ruth were marked by a visit from Joanne, the chance to drive one of the grandkids to or from school and spend some time together in the afternoon, and always the planning of her garden. She designed her home and garden to allow you to see something beautiful from anywhere you were sitting, and every sight line from the house was a specific canvas for her. She was patient and let nature decide what was going to happen; her decisions were slow and deliberate.

Ruth was the daughter of Sylvia and Benjamin Nechis of New Rochelle, NY, and is survived by her brother Mal (& Joan) Nechis of Pleasantville, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth’s memory may be made to Friends of Acadia at https://friendsofacadia.org/membership-giving/other-ways-to-give/tribute-gifts/ or mailed to Friends of Acadia, PO Box 45, Bar Harbor, ME 04609.

Zamansky, Arnold, of Rockland, formerly of Randolph, MA, passed away July 19, 2022. Beloved husband of Susan (Porter) Zamansky. Devoted father of Rebecca Mahoney and her husband Ray, Sara Zamansky, and the late Jessica Zamansky and her partner Edwin Briggs. Proud grandfather of Amelia, Oliver, and Juliana. Loving brother Gerald Zamansky, and Lisa Litchman and her husband Gerald. Services at Sharon Memorial Park on Sunday, July 24, 2022 at 10 am. Following services, memorial observance will be at the Zamansky home. In lieu of flowers, donations in Arnold’s memory may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, c/o the Lynch Syndrome Center, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284, or the charity of your choice.

Marci “Rosewater” Rosenwasser of Newton, MA, formerly of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on July 14, 2022.Beloved mother of Addyson. Dear daughter of  Pearl and Bryant Bramson. Devoted sister of Steven Bramson. Beloved aunt to Shawn and Melissa. She also leaves a wide circle of devoted and loving friends all over the world. Graveside services were held in Boston on July 18, 2022.

Funeral service at Temple Israel, 477 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA on Sunday, July 17, 2022 at 11:30 am.

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

Donations in Michael’s memory may be made to the PAN MASS Challenge, by clicking here.

Portia Gwen (Raider) Harcus, of Boston, passed away on July 14, 2022. Portia was born February 28, 1934, in Brockton and was raised in Sharon.  She attended Wheaton College where she majored in Economics.  She traveled to Paris and took art history classes in Boston.  After returning to Boston, Portia went to work for the front office of The Boston Celtics, cementing her passion for basketball and her love of The Celts – she was a season ticket holder for decades.

Portia was co-owner of The Harcus-Krakow gallery of Newbury Street for many years and then Director of Harcus Gallery on South Avenue in Boston.  She continued as an independent art dealer and consultant.

Portia curated numerous art shows at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, where she also served on the Board of Governors.  She was considered an expert and highly regarded in her field. Throughout her life, she mentored many young artists, students, and gallery interns and encouraged their careers.

Portia was a strong, independent woman, and her determination was reflected in both her professional and personal life.  Her zest for life and adventurous spirit took her around the globe where she developed many friendships. For forty-plus years, Aspen, Colorado was a second home for her.  She was drawn to both the mountains and the oceans.  She relished the waters of Scituate as well as the beaches of Cape Cod.  From her early childhood, Portia was an outstanding athlete.  Skiing double diamonds in Aspen through her mid-eighties, and playing tennis, hiking, swimming throughout her life.

Portia epitomized style and haute couture.  She loved shopping and spent many hours in the original Filene’s Basement, which led her to be named Best Dressed in Boston Magazine.

Portia lived her life to the fullest and created her own path without compromise.

Portia was pre-deceased by her brother Herbert Raider and his wife Martha.  She lives on through the hearts of her nieces and nephews Lisa and Tom Doran, Bruce Raider and his wife Deborah Woodford, and Edward (deceased) and Phyllis Raider, as well as her many beloved grand-nieces, grand-nephews, cousins, and their families.

A graveside funeral will be held at Sharon Memorial Park on Sunday, July 17 at 9:45 am.  Masks are requested.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Portia’s memory may be sent to Planned Parenthood (https://www.plannedparenthood.org/get-involved/other-ways-give) or the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) in support of Student Financial Aid https://give.tufts.edu/campaigns/21973/donations/new

Benjamin S. Rubin of Boca Raton, Florida, formerly of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, passed away on July 9th, 2022. He was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, one of six children of Pauline Davis and Samuel Rubin, on September 5th, 1924.  Survivors are his wife of 65 years, Joan Genesky Rubin of Boca Raton, daughters Elyse and Laurel, 3 grandchildren and one great-grandson, and his sister Sandra Rubin. Ben resided in Chestnut Hill for 50 years, and was very involved with the Newton community. He served on the Newton Crime Commission for 50 years. The late mayor Theodore (Ted) Mann, presented Ben with the key to the city, and declared that day “Ben Rubin Day.” Ben was very involved with the Jewish Community Center of Greater Boston, supporting its health club, golf tournaments, and scholarship programs and was particularly supportive of the JCC Early Learning Center in Brookline. In 1979 he was appointed by Rudolph McLaughlin to the Board of the Registry of Motor Vehicles. He was on the Board of Trustees of University Hospital (now Boston Medical Center) and was appointed by then-Governor Paul Cellucci to the Massachusetts Board of Public Health. He also served on the Board of Trustees of Beaver Country Day School for many years. He was a President of the King Solomon Lodge of the Odd Fellows. He was also a long-time member and leader of the American Legion Nonantum Post 440. Private funeral services were held at the South Florida National Cemetery.

Bryna Laub (née Pearlman), passed away on July 8, 2022, after a full and active 80 years. From geologist, to high school science teacher, and then becoming a successful TV and Radio personality, Bryna could do anything she set her mind to – and did!  She was the wife of Bernard Laub, deceased; the sister of Arthur Pearlman & his wife Rosanne; the mother of Michael Laub & his wife Nadine Melka; the Grandmother of Thomas & Matthew Laub.  A service will be held on Sunday July 10, 2022 at 11am at Congregation Or Atid, 97 Concord Rd., Wayland, MA. Burial will take place at the Los Gatos Memorial Park in San Jose, CA, where she will join her beloved Bernie.

David Riquier, a kind and gentle man, passed away on July 5. He leaves his wife Martha, his daughter Andrea and his son Adam. Other survivors include his sister Joanne Antos and his cousins Ludlow (Carol) Berkeley and Linda (Ernest) LeBlanc. David’s parents, Edgar and Barbara Tirrell Riquier, predeceased him. David was born in West Point, NY, and lived in Guam and Beverly, MA as a child; he raised his family in Needham, MA. He was an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts and held a BA from Boston University and an MA from Harvard Extension School where he was also a teaching assistant. David spent his career in communications, including at the MIT Media Lab. His love of poetry and art was well-known. No services will be held. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Needham Community Council, 570 Hillside Ave., Needham 02494 or to the charity of your choice.

Klubock, Elaine S. (Clayman) of Wellesley, formerly of Newton, MA, on Friday, July 1, 2022. For 55 years she was the beloved wife of the late Morse H. Klubock. Devoted mother of Andrew and David Klubock. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. Graveside services at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA on Friday, July 8, 2022 at 9:45 am. In lieu of flowers, donations in Elaine’s memory may be made to Aid for Cancer Research, PO Box 376, Newton, MA 02459.