Saul J. Palder

Saul J. Palder passed away peacefully on February 5, 2023 at age 96. Known to most people as Bubbles, Saul is survived by daughters Caron Palder (Ed Weiss) and Amy Palder (Christiane Palder-Levine), grandchildren William Weiss (Meagan McGee), Casey Weiss (Dylan Hercher) and was predeceased by his wife Rhoda Silver Palder. Saul was born in Boston, Massachusetts – a city that he loved passionately and where he resided the majority of his life.

Saul was a proud veteran of the Navy, serving in WW 2. He felt so strongly about serving his country he lied about his age so that he could enlist early. The youngest of 5 children, Saul stood out for his big personality. Quick with a joke and a twinkle in his eye, he was often the center of any gathering.

Saul graduated from the University of Miami where he playfully says he “majored in golf” and went into the family tire business. He was married to the beautiful Rhoda Silver and they remained married for 65 years. Saul always said that he was so lucky to have married Rhoda. She supported him devotedly throughout their life together. When the family business failed, they moved to Tucson, Arizona with their infant daughter, Caron. But Boston called him home and they returned after a short period of time. They moved into an area of Newton called Oak Hill Park which had been designed primarily for veterans and was a wonderful place for their children. A second daughter, Amy was born almost 7 years after Caron and all were delighted.

Throughout his life Saul was largely in businesses related to the automotive industry and met much success. He had his own tire business, a muffler business, bought and managed a large commercial building in Hyde Park, and supplied parts to thousands of muffler stores throughout the U.S. and Canada. Saul, always a thinker, began to try to create a better catalytic converter. While that invention did not come to fruition his true passion of creating a better mousetrap was born.

In his 70’s Saul obtained a patent for a product that became the “Smart Spin”, a divided lazy susan with containers that would neatly organize your cabinets. This product was brought to market by the “As Seen on TV” people and became the largest seller in their history. He was on the cover of “Inventor” magazine. He continued coming up with ideas throughout the rest of his life.

Saul and Rhoda traveled extensively and spent many winters in Puerto Rico at the Rio Mar Hotel. Saul became the “mayor” walking through the halls and being greeted by everyone.

Saul always liked to cook and had his specialties. His home fries were the best and he once brought his amazing clam chowder to Felicia’s restaurant in the North End for her to taste. She said it was really good. Saul and Rhoda were regulars in the Boston dining scene.  He just had to call and say “a table for Bubbles” and he got one.

Saul loved sports. He was a lifelong Red Sox fan and even had a try-out for the team. In later years he was most passionate about football and drove Amy and her wife Christiane crazy trying to find the Patriots game on TV in Atlanta.

Saul touched people in all facets of his life. He always wanted to be known as a mensch, and he will be remembered that way by many. He will be so very missed.

Services will be held on Friday, February 10,2023 at 11:30 AM at the Allen Center, 35 Webster Street, West Newton. In lieu of flowers, donations in Saul’s memory may be made to The Jimmy Fund.