Leon Rothenberg

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Leon Rothenberg, of Newton Highlands, MA died suddenly, but with family by his side on July 13, 2016. He was born on February 18, 1940 in Boston, the second son of two 1st generation Jewish immigrants from the Ukraine, Rose Mezikofsky Rothenberg and Morris Rothenberg.

Leon grew up in Roxbury and Brighton. He was a member of the Boston Latin High School Class of 1956, Hebrew Teachers College Class of 1956, and the Harvard College Class of 1960. At Harvard, he was a member of Dudley House and majored in Germanic languages and literature.

Leon had strong ties to Camp Yavneh (as a camper) and Camp Bauercrest (as a counselor, camp rabbi and Color War Captain). He married his beloved wife Judy Rothenberg (née Rosen) on June 30, 1963.

Leon’s professional career morphed through three stages – he was a system manager at ADP, Executive Director at Temple Israel, and for nearly the past two decades found his true vocation as a tax accountant with Raphael and Raphael LLP (where he continued to work). He took great pride in his ability to engage in a personal “metamorphosis” (in his words) as he changed careers; in addition he enjoyed applying his greatest ability – to systematically take on – and solve the most complex business problems.

Leon loved exercising his brain and photographic memory through playing poker, handicapping the horses, trading stocks and doing as many daily crossword and KenKen puzzles he could get his hands on (in paper form!). It was his unique form of exercise.

Leon had a soft spot for many charities and always donated more than he was asked. His political view was first and foremost to be a humanist, with a particular focus on those in need. For Leon being dependable was an understatement- his friends and family always counted on him, especially in times of trouble or need.

He also loved to complain about the Red Sox, and even amid the rare extended winning streak, he would find faults. He lived and played in the Boston area his entire life, which also included the unincorporated areas of Suffolk Downs, Foxboro Raceway, Lincoln Downs and Rockingham Park.

Most of all he loved his grandchildren: Owen, Olivia and Gracie.

Leon is survived by beloved wife of 53 years, Judy; sons and daughters-in-laws: Steve and Kimberly Hannon of Hopkinton, NH, and Mike and Rachel of Valley Village, CA; brothers and sisters-in-laws: Eugene and Judie of Rumson, NJ, and Stanley and Carol of Waterford, ME; three grandchildren; and five nieces and nephews.

Services were held at Temple Israel, 477 Longwood Ave., Boston (parking on the Riverway) on Sunday, July 17, 2016 at 10:00 am. Following the interment at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, the family sat Shiva at their home in Newton until 8:00 pm, and continued Monday and Tuesday from 2-8 pm. In lieu of flowers remembrances in Leon’s honor can be made to the Mayhew Program, P.O. Box 120, Bristol, NH 03222 www.mayhew.org