Dr. Marvin Antonoff
of Lexington, MA, passed away October 14, 2023. Beloved husband of Claire Ruth Antonoff, his wife for over seventy years. Devoted father of Sharon Miller and her husband Joseph Mack, William Antonoff and his wife Emily, and Daniel Antonoff and his wife Dina. Proud grandfather of Rachel Lemieux and her husband David, Elizabeth Miller, Zachary Jones and his wife Elle, Daniel Antonoff and his wife Meaghan, Nicole Antonoff, and Jonah Antonoff. Loving brother of Elaine (Cookie) Fisher.
Marvin was born in Brooklyn, New York and attended New York City public schools and graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School before earning his BS and MA at New York University. He earned his Ph. D. in physics at Cornell University. Marvin was a Korean War Era Veteran serving in the Army Corps of Engineers, and Professor Emeritus of Physics at UMass/Boston where he helped found the Physics Department and served as department chair. Understanding physics was one of his greatest passions, he continued to work on solving problems through the end of his life. Marvin loved arts, theatre and music and was a wonderful singer. He always had a joke up his sleeve, and a song for every occasion that he could pull up at the drop of a hat. For many years he was a member of the Mak’haylah at Temple Emunah, where he and Ruth were founding members. He also performed in local theatre as Benny Southstreet from Guys and Dolls and Alfie Doolittle from My Fair Lady. Marvin was a poet who worked his principles of living, learning, and loving into each verse. He was a dancer who brought great joy to all who were his partners on the dance floor, none more so than his favorite dance partner, his wife Ruth. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room when at age 91 he dipped the love of his life during Our Love is Here to Stay at his grandson’s wedding.
Marvin was a lifelong boy scout who loved the Adirondacks as a youth and young man. He became passionate about America’s National Parks, traveled to, and hiked in many of them, passing on his love of the great outdoors to his children and grandchildren. Marvin loved climbing along the rocky coasts of New England and catching rides on the waves of the Atlantic. His love for the environment fostered his interest in renewable energy and he became a pioneer in teaching online courses about this ever-evolving subject.
His interests were numerous, and he loved to learn about different people and their cultures. He and his wife Ruth traveled across the United States and to several countries, living in England and Israel on sabbaticals. Marvin was devoted to his family and friends above all other things and fully participated in every occasion whether to celebrate or to comfort. Marvin was the ever consummate host, always eloquently welcoming all to his table.
Funeral Services at Temple Emunah, 9 Piper Rd., Lexington, MA on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 1:00 PM. Interment at Westview Cemetery followed by Shiva at the home of Ruth and Marvin on Tuesday, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, 7:00 pm Minyan, Wednesday & Thursday 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM & 5:30 – 7:30 PM with a 7:00pm Minyan.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Marvin’s memory may be made to Student Scholarships at The University of Massachusetts, Boston.