Leslie “Les” Stuart Blicher
Leslie “Les” S. Blicher, a long-time Newton resident, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 24, 2021. He was 85 years old and had Parkinson’s Disease for the last 15 years of his life.
Les received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Rochester and, following a stint in the Navy, a J.D. from Georgetown University. He worked as a tax attorney with specialties in employee benefits and ERISA for the Internal Revenue Service, John Hancock, and Goodwin Procter. Les then spent the last half of his career as an employee benefits consultant and office manager for Mercer-Meidinger-Hansen’s Boston office, Alexander & Alexander, and Executive Alliance.
Les had a passion for the legal system in general and in U.S. constitutional law specifically. He taught courses on these subjects while working at Babson College’s executive education program, and upon retiring at the Brandeis University BOLLI program. Les also served on the Board of Trustees at Temple Shalom of Newton, where he was a member until his passing.
Les played the trumpet from a young age and enjoyed music all his life. He played in the Angier School Community Band, in ensembles at the All-Newton Music School, and with friends. He attended classical concerts in the Boston area until he was no longer able, then watched telecasts of the Metropolitan Opera and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He was also an avid reader and was seldom without a book or newspaper.
Les is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 62 years, Beverly (Hirsch) Blicher. He is also survived by his sister, Joyce Schwartz of Wellesley; his daughter Deborah Blicher, son-in-law Peter Dain, and their children Kristina and Max Dain of Sudbury; and his son Neil Blicher, daughter-in-law Elizabeth Gossels Blicher, and their children Jane, Michael, and Matthew Blicher of Sudbury.
Les’ family and friends will remember and miss his warmth and charm, his dry and occasionally silly sense of humor, his love for desserts (particularly chocolate), his passion for the Boston Red Sox, and his way of making people comfortable in his presence. Funeral service is private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Les’ memory may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 1255 Soldiers Field Rd., Boston, MA 02135.