Joel Strumph Gopen

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Joel Strumph Gopen, long time resident of Sharon died Feb 25, 2023 in his home, surrounded by close family members and friends. Born April 11, 1931 in Malden, MA to Hyman Gopen and Ruth (Strumph) Gopen, he grew up in Providence, RI and Malden, MA. He leaves his wife of 62 years, Miriam (Samuels) Gopen, his three children Ruth Ilana Gopen, Emily Sara Gopen (Jon “Sonny” Crawford), and Nathan Daniel Gopen (Geraldine Ferrara); grandchildren Rebecca Skye Gopen, Tinian (Sarah) and Sovahn Crawford, Jonathan and Garrett Gopen, and great grandchildren Weston and June Crawford.
Mr. Gopen was a graduate of BU School of Social Work, and a four year veteran of the Navy during the Korean War. He worked for the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston as an Outreach Social Worker and as Program Director in Brighton and Revere, and at Lerman Day Camp in Westwood. During his 30 years as an in-house Social Worker at Brookline High School, he created outreach programs such as TASK (Teenagers Serving Kids), and was interviewed by local newspapers about current issues such as drug use by adolescents.
Services will be held at Temple Israel of Sharon, 125 Pond St, Sharon at 12:30 pm followed by burial at Rock Ridge Cemetery, Mountain Street on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.  Shiva will follow at the Gopen home:

Today following interment until 5 pm & 7-8 pm
Minyan at 7:30 pm

Wednesday, March 1, 1-3 pm & 7-8 pm
Minyan at 7:30 pm

Thursday, March 2, 1-3 pm & 7-8 pm
Minyan at 7:30 pm

Friday, March 3, 1-3 pm

Saturday, March 4, 7-8 pm
Minyan at 7:30pm

Sunday, March 5, 1-3 pm & 7-8 pm
Minyan at 7:30 pm

Donations in his memory may be made to The Israel and Doris Samuels Scholarship Fund, c/o Temple Israel, or Beech Tree park, c/o Sharon Recreation Department,