Paul Chervinsky

age 97, of Dedham, formerly of New Bedford, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.

Paul was the son of Eva and Jacob Chervinsky of New Bedford and for almost 71 years the beloved husband of Elaine Chervinsky, who passed away in 2022.   Paul and Elaine 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.  They traveled the world together and were avid golf partners.   Paul was the father of Gerry and his partner Holly Boyer, and Debbie Moll and her husband Jonathan, grandfather of Sarah and her husband Leon Roche, Jake and his wife Lindsay, Benjie Moll and his wife Anna, and Danny Moll and his wife Marina.   He was so enchanted by his three young great granddaughters, Sophie Moll, Janey Moll, and Maddie Moll, and was excited by knowing that this summer he would welcome a great grandson into the family.

Born in New Bedford in1927, Paul was the youngest of three children, doted upon by his older sisters Mildred (Molly) and Gertrude (Gitty).  A graduate of New Bedford High School, Paul enlisted in the navy and trained stateside as a communications officer but considered himself fortunate that the war ended before he was deployed overseas.  He then matriculated to Tufts College, graduating in 1948, by which time he had met Elaine Silver, the sister of his fraternity brother Norman.  Paul and Elaine were married in 1951, and when he graduated Tufts Medical School in 1952 they moved to New Bedford where he established his medical practice.  Originally a general practitioner, Paul decided to specialize in allergy due in large part to Elaine’s hay fever.  The medical practice he established ultimately became one of the foremost allergy and pulmonary disease specialties in the country, and many medications that were tested in research conducted by his practice, most notably the allergy medication Claritin, were brought to market due to the results of his studies.

Over the years Paul partnered with Elaine 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 gifts, provided college scholarships through the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, UMass Dartmouth and Tufts Medical School where they endowed 4 scholarships.  They also established the Paul and Elaine Chervinsky Professorship in Immunology at Tufts Medical School which currently supports Dr. Linden Hu’s work in Lyme disease.  They supported many other charities in New Bedford, Israel, and all across the world.

Paul spent much of his leisure time on the golf course, setting records at Allendale Country Club for most appearances in the championship round of the annual fourball tournament which he won twice.  Later he would also win the annual satellite fourball tournament at The Country Club of New Bedford.  Paul was happiest on the golf course while playing with family members, having taught his children and grandchildren to play the game as well, and the annual golf trips taken with his family to Arizona were cherished by all.

Seven years ago Paul and Elaine moved to Newbridge on the Charles to be nearer to family.  In short order they developed many new close friendships and everyone seemed to know Paul. Always with a joke at hand, Paul had a talent of making everyone he met feel important to him.

The family is very grateful to Antoinette Ntananga, Joy Mugamba and Maggie Kigunda for their compassionate, loving care.

Funeral services are private.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Paul’s memory to Tifereth Israel Synagogue of New Bedford or Newbridge on the Charles/Hebrew Senior Life.