Obituaries

William M. Horwitz, 90, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2022.  Born in Toledo, Ohio, and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Bill is survived by his wife of 68 years, Deborah (Silverman) Horwitz; his three children, Barry Horwitz (Elizabeth), Susan Miller (Herbert), and Andrew Horwitz (Alexandra Callam); six grandchildren, Michael, Alison, John, Peter, Daniel and Catherine; and one great-grandchild, Oliver.

Bill was a graduate of Erasmus Hall High School and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.  After serving in the United States Army, stationed in Germany, he and Debby moved to the Boston area to start their lives together, first living in Brookline but settling in Newton.  He was the general manager of Colten’s, a chain of linen stores, for over two decades before opening his own business, Window Decor, which specialized in window treatments.  He continued to operate that business well into his eighties.

An avid and talented tennis and squash player, Bill was a long-time member and past president of the Newton Squash & Tennis Club.  He was known at the club for his athletic prowess and tenacity on the courts, but he was admired above all else for his extraordinary sportsmanship.  He liked to win – and he did win often — but it was far more important to Bill to play the game with honesty and fairness and to treat others well.  He passed along these priorities beautifully to his children and grandchildren.

Bill was a very special person in so many ways.  He was warm, gracious, caring, funny, and, above all else, kind.  He was quite simply the nicest and most decent person that one could imagine, with an extraordinary sense of personal integrity.  He was loved by all who knew him, and it would be hard to find a person who had a bad word to say about him.  He was a wonderful and devoted father, grandfather, and great grandfather, and his spirit and his values live on in all of those whose lives he touched.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution in Bill’s honor to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund or the charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated.  A gathering in celebration of Bill’s life will be scheduled at some time later this summer.

Age 91, of Dedham, formerly of New Bedford, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Thursday, May 26, 2022.

Elaine was the daughter of Sam and Sadie Silver of Newton and the beloved wife of Dr. Paul Chervinsky of New Bedford, to whom she was married for almost 71 years.  She was totally devoted to her husband, serving for many years as the office manager of his medical practice, and was especially dedicated to her family, who loved her so much and will miss her beauty, her warmth, her smile, and her sense of humor, as she was always a great audience for a good joke or story.  She was the mother of Gerry and his partner Holly Boyer, and Debbie Moll and her husband Jonathan, grandmother of Sarah and her fiance Leon Roche, Jake and his wife Lindsay, Benjie Moll and his wife Anna, and Danny Moll and his wife Marina.  She was so enchanted by her two young great- granddaughters, Sophie Moll and Janey Moll.

Elaine and her husband Paul lived what each of them would call a “charmed life” in which they always took care of each other and were each other’s #1 priority.  She was a true lady, always impeccably dressed, elegant and refined. They traveled the world together and were avid golf partners.  She was a fierce bowler, an excellent cook, a committed homemaker.  She loved all animals, ranging from Gerry’s dog Brinkley to Danny and Marina’s dog Riley to whatever animals might be featured on the weekly Marlin Perkins Wild Kingdom program.

Over the years Elaine partnered with Paul in multiple philanthropic activities, many of which focused on providing educational opportunities for deserving recipients.  They established the Paul and Elaine Chervinsky Charitable Foundation which among other pursuits provided scholarships for New Bedford High School students to attend college, four endowed scholarships at Tufts Medical School,  endowed the Paul and Elaine Chervinsky Professorship in Immunology at Tufts Medical School, and supported other charities in New Bedford, Israel, and all across the world.  Elaine was a life member of Hadassah with an ongoing commitment to Keepers of the Gate.  She had been the first student accepted to Brandeis University but chose to attend Simmons College instead in order to be close to Paul at Tufts Medical School.

Private services are being held for family and the closest of friends.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Elaine’s memory to Tifereth Israel Synagogue of New Bedford or Newbridge on the Charles/Hebrew Senior Life.

Eric G. Schwartz, of Arlington, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2022, after a short illness, at the age of 79. Beloved husband of Linda Watson Robinson, devoted father of Gregory Schwartz and stepfather of Ben (Laurie Rogers), Keziah, Hannah, Nat Robinson and Alie Gamboa. Fond step-grandfather of Chaya, Ziva, and Ada Robinson, and loyal friend to his former wife Jean (Batista) Schwartz.   Born in Brooklyn, NY, Eric earned a B.A. from Queens College and an M.F.A. from the New England Conservatory of Music.  He retired in 2003 from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, where he worked enthusiastically as a computer programmer for nearly 30 years, quietly maintaining the infrastructure of the banking system, including the check sorters in their years of declining use.

Eric was an accomplished pianist and accompanist.  In 1967, during his army service in Vietnam, he was chosen to accompany the legendary tenor and cantor Richard Tucker when he came to conduct a Seder for Jewish servicemen and to entertain the troops in Saigon.   That led to his inclusion in a touring singing and comedy quintet of enlisted men who were ferried by helicopter to and from remote outposts where no stars and dancing girls could go.    He loved choral music, opera, and especially Gilbert and Sullivan.    He participated avidly during his entire working life in local choirs and amateur and semi-pro productions as a performer, accompanist, composer, rehearsal director, and music director.

Eric had a lifelong passion for mind sports, most notably the game of bridge.  He was an Emerald Life Master.   From his early days playing with future world champions in college, through hundreds of sessions at the Chess Club in Boston, to frequent competitions at the highest levels in North American Bridge Championships and more recently in online international competitions, he loved bridge and the camaraderie around it.   A passionate and lifelong fan of baseball, he grew up adoring the Brooklyn Dodgers.  Following their exodus, he rejoiced and despaired each day during the baseball season with the ups and frequent downs of his beloved New York Mets, whom he followed obsessively for the entirety of his remaining years.

All services will be private.  He will be laid to rest in Long Island alongside his parents, Samuel and Cecil (Schoichet) Schwartz.

To view Livestream of Joseph’s funeral service, please click here.

Joseph Jacob Grabowski, age 75, of Newton, died unexpectedly on May 26, 2022 from complications following open heart surgery. Son of the late Jack and Golda Grabowski.  Loving father of Jonathan Grabowski. Devoted partner of Janet Appel.  Dear brother/in-law of Frances and Steven Dorsky. Joseph had a zest for life and passion for family.  He will be deeply missed by many.  Funeral services will be held at Lincoln Park Cemetery of Warwick, Rhode Island, in the chapel at 2:00 pm on Sunday, May 29, 2022.  Shiva will be held at 407 Dedham St., Newton, MA, on May 29, 30, 31 from 7-9 pm.

To view the livestream on Friday, May 27 at 10:00am click here.

Alan Marc Grosman of Hingham Massachusetts passed away on May 25, 2022 at the age of 87. He spent most of his life in New Jersey, in Newark, South Orange, and Short Hills, where he was an attorney for 40 years with the family law firm of Grosman & Grosman.

Alan graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Wesleyan University where he studied Philosophy and Government and received an MA in Political Science from Yale University before completing his JD at New York Law School.  He was a prominent Family Lawyer and authored New Jersey Family Law, a leading textbook in his field. He handled the first surrogacy case, the Baby M case, as well as the Whitfield Case which provided increased access to military pensions in the case of a divorce.  He was the Millburn Township Court Prosecutor for 25 years as well as an Essex County Assistant Prosecutor earlier in his career.

Before starting his legal career, Alan was a newspaper reporter with the Newark News and the New Haven Journal-Courier, as well as a talented photographer. He was active in local politics and organizations including the Kiwanis Club, the World Trade Organization, and the Millburn Old Guard.

Alan was a world traveler and scholar of world history who spoke Spanish, Portuguese, and French, and studied German, Romanian, Catalan, and Ladino. He loved folk music of all kinds.  He enjoyed playing the piano, especially the American Songbook with family and friends gathered around singing.

He leaves his beloved family including his wife of 55 years, Bette Grosman, daughters Carol Grosman, and her husband Moshe Terdiman of Jerusalem, Israel, and Ellen Krause-Grosman, and her husband Michael, and their children, Gabriel and Rachel of Boston Massachusetts.

Donations in memory of Alan Grosman can be sent to the Linden Ponds Resident Care Fund, 203 Linden Ponds Way, Hingham, MA 02043, Attn: Philanthropy Dept

Jerome B. Smulow, of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, 91, on May 24, 2022. Beloved husband of Miriam Smulow. Devoted father of Julie (Michael) Fuhrman and Daniel (Dena) Smulow. Proud grandfather of Zoe and Benjamin Fuhrman, and Jacob and Tyler Smulow. Loving brother of Jacqueline Berse. Graveside service at Walnut Hills Cemetery, Brookline, MA on Thursday, May 26, 2022 at 2pm. Due to Covid there will be no shiva observance. Remembrances may be made to Temple Israel of Boston or an organization of choice.

Myron “Myke” S. Simon, of Newton, passed away peacefully on May 23,2022 at the age of 95.  Beloved husband of the late Rose Reguera Simon for 68 years; devoted father and father-in-law of Laurel and John Bobrowich, Amy and the late Eric Berg, Ethan and Marcy Simon; caring grandfather of David and Eli Bobrowich, Sonia and Charlotte Berg, Samantha and Erica Simon.  Born in Burlington, Vermont, Myke was educated at Boston Latin School (BLS) and at Harvard University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree (1946), master’s degree (1948), and Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry (1949, under the supervision of Robert Burns Woodward). He remained involved with activities related to BLS and Harvard throughout his life.  He joined Polaroid Corporation in 1949 and was the first chemist to synthesize molecules in the research program aimed at creating instant color film, becoming one of the key inventors of the chemistry in the Polaroid Instant Color Photography system, including the dye-developers used in the first Polacolor peel-apart color photo systems and the alkali-stable naphthol phthalein dyes uses in the SX-70 camera system.

He retired from Polaroid in 1988 as a Research Fellow and Associate Director of Organic Chemistry. He was a National Fellow of the American Chemical Society and for many years was active in the society’s Northeast Section.

Both Myke and Rose were devoted to their family and encouraged a love of nature and outdoor activities, often centered around the cabin they constructed in New Hampshire, serving for three generations as a starting point for many expeditions in any season, related to hiking, camping, backpacking, skiing, boating, and bicycling.  Myke believed in the importance of education and never stopped learning.   He was a creative thinker who constantly found innovative ways to solve challenges, whether of a scientific, logistic, or artistic origin.  His calm and caring approach to life, sprinkled with dry humor, brought joy to many.

Myke lived most of his adult life in Newton, MA, most recently he was a resident of Lasell Village in Auburndale.

In lieu of flowers, donations “In memory of Myron S. Simon” may be made to the Boston Latin School or the Harvard University Chemistry Department.

The memorial service and shiva will be private due to Covid-related concerns.

Etkind, Lillian (Itzkowtiz) age 103, of Cohasset, MA, formerly of Waltham, MA, passed away May 23, 2022. Beloved wife of the late Irving J. Etkind. Devoted mother of Alan Etkind and his wife Alice, and Stephen Etkind and his wife Susan. Dear grandmother of Michael and his wife Wendy, Diana and her husband Matthew, Matthew and his wife Laura, Alexander and his partner Lara, and Zachary and his partner Ciera. Dear great grandmother to Corey, Timothy, Xander, Abigail, Annalise, and Oliver. Graveside service at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA on May 25. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lillian’s memory may be made to Temple Beth Israel, 25 Harvard St., Waltham, MA 02453.

To view the service recording click here.

Gerald  “Jerry” Feld, Age 83, of Gloucester, MA, formerly of Brookline, MA, quickly passed away on May 20, 2022   from cardiac arrest after contracting pneumonia. Born in Boston, son of the late Anne and Max (Holy) Feld, he was a 1956 graduate of Brookline High School and captain of the basketball team. As a kid, he followed in his father’s footsteps becoming a camper, counselor and devoted lifetime member of the West End House. After earning a BA from Bates College, he enlisted as an officer in the U.S. Navy, later training to become a proud Navy Seal. Following 5 years of active duty, he joined the Naval Reserve retiring as Captain. He went on to earn a JD from Boston University Law School in 1972, and practiced law as an industrial accident and Workmen’s Compensation trial attorney. Summers were spent with his young family in tow cruising to Martha’s Vineyard, Cutty Hunk, and Nantucket. An all-around star athlete, always seeking an adventure, he enjoyed deep-sea diving, fishing, boating, golfing, skiing, the Celtics, and later, winters in Florida. Jerry loved a good time and was known to be a loyal friend. He was predeceased by his son Gabriel, as well as his sister Helen Wallinger. He is survived by his wife Phyllis (Belsky), son Jonah, wife Gillian (Carter), and 3 precious grandchildren: Miles 5, Maisy 4, Elliott 2, and special friend Laura Walker.

Graveside service will be held at Sharon Memorial Park,40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 12:45 p.m. To view a Livestream of the service please go to Brezniakfd.com. Due to Covid, there will be no Shiva, but friends and family are encouraged to offer their condolences following the service. Donations in his memory may be made to the West End House Boys and Girls Club 105 Allston St., Allston, MA 02134.