Jack Turgel

Jack Turgel was born in Montreal, Canada in April, 1940 to Eastern European immigrants – Samuel and Claire – who were lucky enough to escape the fate that befell many members of their families, who perished in the Holocaust. He went on to study chemistry in college, later starting a company with a partner, which eventually brought him to the United States Shortly thereafter, he met the love of his life, Cheryl Weissman, whom he would marry in December, 1975. Jack and Cheryl settled in Newton, Massachusetts and joined the Temple Emmanuel community to practice their Judaism. Jack eventually sold his chemical company and made a career change to become a trusted insurance advisor to many clients, many of whom he eventually came to call friends. In his later years, Jack became more involved with the Temple Emmanuel brotherhood, serving two terms as its president.

Jack’s interests ranged from politics, about which he was passionate, to history, current events and Jewish studies. He continued his self-teaching throughout his life. He enjoyed playing sports with his kids in their youth, taking them ice skating often, and enjoyed playing chess with his grandchildren.

Jack was a devoted husband and father and was most proud of his family, including his older sister Annette (and her husband Ted and their son Robert); his three children and their spouses – Michael and Charla, Louis and Anna, Daniel and Shoshannah – and his seven grandchildren – Jeremy, Amara, Eli, Jude, Theordore, Finneas and Carmela. And he always delighted in spending time with Cheryl’s large, extended family, whom he considered his own – all of whom will miss him dearly and remember him fondly.

Funeral will be held Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 1pm at Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward St., Newton, MA.  Interment will follow at Lindwood Memorial Park, Randolph.  Shiva will be observed at the home of Michael and Charla on Wednesday March 19, from 2-4pm and 7-9pm and on Thursday March 20, at Jack’s residence from 2-4pm and 7-9pm.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Jack’s memory may be made to Parkinson’s Foundation, www.parkinson.org or to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, www.michaeljfox.org