Victor Ostrower

Victor Stanley Ostrower died on March 30, 2025 in Brookline, MA. Victor was the beloved husband of Valerie Ostrower, son of Joseph and Ann Ostrower, brother of Gary Ostrower, father of Matthew, Daniel, Samuel, and Jessica Ostrower, and grandfather of Cory, Adina, Joshua, Duncan, Gabriel, Simon, Alex, Solomon, and Frances. Victor died peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones, after a brave and dignified fight with pancreatic cancer.

Victor devoted his life to the care and healing of others, through a long career in gastroenterology and hepatology. He was especially known for his kindness, personal touch, and attentiveness to the non-medical aspects of care. When he occasionally took his children to visit his places of work, they were regaled by nurses, doctors, and staff about how wonderful, kind, and loving he was to patients and colleagues alike. Victor gave special attention to those patients nearing the end of their lives and prided himself on helping them and their families find agency, peace, and dignity in their final moments. In the end, he modeled his teachings.

Victor was a devoted husband. He never hesitated to tell anyone who would listen that he was punching way above his weight and fully appreciated his luck. He doted on Valerie at every turn.

He reveled in beauty, both natural wonders and the arts. He was a photographer, an avid participant in the classical music scene, an awful cello player, and an avid museum goer. He was famous for getting verklempt when he described any of these. He shared this love with his family through many vacations to the national parks and great cities, creating cherished memories–and interminable slideshows–that his family recounts passionately and will pass enthusiastically from generation to generation.

Whether you were a family member, a lifelong friend, or someone he just met at the supermarket or coffee shop, you knew Victor as an easy conversationalist, a vivid storyteller, and a spreader of good cheer. His broad smile, easy manner, and natural gregariousness were signs of his implicit trust in others and boundless ability to find joy in any moment.

His warmth and selflessness will be missed by all those fortunate enough to have known him.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 4, 2025 at 10:30 AM at Temple Isaiah, 55 Lincoln Street, Lexington, MA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Victor’s honor to the American Cancer Society or ACLU.