Irwin Burton Hurwitz, 94, of Rutland Vermont, Rochester Vermont, Del Ray Beach Florida and Lowell Massachusetts entered into rest on September 26, 2024, at The Pines in Rutland, Vermont. “Buddy” as he was referred to by his family and friends, was born on October 12, 1929 in Boston Massachusetts. He was the beloved son of the belated Jack and Sally Hurwitz. He grew up in Swampscott before moving to Lowell. He attended school there in addition to college in Tilton New Hampshire amongst others. Enlisted in the Navy, Buddy served as a medical corpsman on the USS Randall. Being a medical corpsman was something he was very proud of and did not hesitate to let other medical personnel know.
He met the love of his life Frances Dorothy Kroot on a ski trip with the Boston Ski Club. They were married in Brookline and enjoyed skiing together in New England. After leaving the Navy he sold phonograph records traveling around to see clients in his VW bus. He went into business with his father Jack creating a company called Jackson Cabinets in Lowell. They sold kitchen cabinets and did installations including countertops. He purchased and renovated a camp on Long Pond in Dracut where the family spent their summers. He enjoyed time with family and friends there boating and fishing on weekends.
In 1968 an opportunity came up to purchase Acme Cabinets a cabinet factory in Toms River New Jersey. So off we went. He bought a bigger boat and spent summers boating along the Jersey Shore and traveling by boat with groups of friends in their boats as far up as Maine and down to Virginia. They visited Fran’s brother Marshall who was stationed in Virginia who was a pilot in the Air Force. Buddy got his pilots’ license and bought a plane and flew up and down the East Coast.
In Toms River he was involved with many different organizations including the local synagogue, National Association of Retarded Children and the Deborah Heart and Lung Center. Also, he was instrumental in creating a new YMCA culminating in the award given by the local chamber of commerce of “Citizen of the Year.”
In 1999 he retired enjoying winters in Florida and summers in Vermont. Recently in 2021 he moved to Vermont to be closer to his two children Karen and Paul and daughter in law Shari Mclaughlin in addition to his grandchildren Abby and Jacob and his wife Maggie. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Buddy is predeceased by his late wife Frances Dorothy Hurwitz with whom he was married to for 57 years before her passing in 2010, and his son Neil Hurwitz.
FUNERAL NOTICE
Irwin Burton Hurwitz- Entered into rest, September 26, 2024, in Rutland, Vermont. His graveside service will be held on Sunday at the Temple Beth El Cemetery in Chelmsford, MA, at the end of Waverly Ave, at 11:00 AM September 29, 2024. www.morsebaylissfuneralhome.com
Following the service, on Sunday afternoon, family members will be receiving condolences and reminiscing at the Hong and Kong Restaurant 32 Alpine Lane, Chelmsford, MA.
Condolences may be sent to Paul Hurwitz at 153 Olmstead Drive Rochester, VT 05767 or Karen Hurwitz 68 Main Street Apt 14C Stoneham, MA 02180.
Memorials may be made to Congregation Beth Israel’s Neil Hurwitz Children’s Library Fund. Congregation Beth Israel of the Merrimack Valley 6 Dundee Park #301, Andover, MA 01810
PH: 978-474-0540
FX: 978-474-1915
EM: office@BethIsraelMV.org
www.BethIsraelMV.org
3 responses to “Irwin “Buddy” Burton Hurwitz, 94, of Rutland Vermont, Rochester Vermont, Del Ray Beach Florida and Lowell Massachusetts”
So sorry to hear about Buddy. I remember such good times at the lake and just hanging out with Fran and the kids. Wishing Karen and Paul warm memories of their beloved Dad. My condolences.
Love
Shirley
Hi Karen and Paul. My thoughts are with you with the loss of your Dad, Buddy. I know you were both very close to him. You can take some comfort that he is in a better place probably ecstatic to be reunited with Fran and Neil.
Love,
Lee
I believe Buddy and his family moved to Lowell, Massachusetts in 1941 from Gloucester into a home on Westford Street across from Tyler Park. Since, I also lived on Westford Street and we both went to chador at Temple Beth El, we quickly became fast friends. I was around 11 years old, and Buddy was 11 months older.
We did manage to accomplish many interesting incidences during our young life. Yes, we used to annoy our local policeman, Officer Shapiro, by playing ball in Tyler Park. Often neighbors would complain, and Officer Shapiro had to come to the park and chase us out.
And, on Halloween Buddy and I would stand on opposite sides of Westford Street during the early evening hours and when a vehicle came by, we would each make believe we were pulling on the tight rope. When the car came to a screeching halt, we would run like hell.
There must be 100 more of these occasions but I am not eager to embarrass either me or Buddy.
My wife Marlene and I married in 1951. Buddy, along with Rabbi Warren signed our Tuba along with the pre-wedding procedures. Buddy quickly left to be involved with our good friend Harvey Strauss’s wedding in Boston later that evening.
Both the Gordons and the Buddy Hurwitz family (now married) moved to Steven Street where Fran and Marlene became very close friends.
Buddy was a wonderful friend. We enjoyed his company. He was very ambitious with a touch of impatience mixed in. He was a born leader and was not intimidated by any undertaking. Always willing to take on a project, he undertook taking charge of the Sunday morning breakfasts at his home in Del Ray Beach. He joined his dad, Jack, and built their business to a very competitive level causing him to move to a new factory in Toms River, New Jersey. Now times were not always pleasurable. But Buddy was strong and resolute. Buddy was a good listener and more than willing to help with any problems you might have.
So, today comes the physical end to an 82-year friendship. I shall not, I cannot forget all the wonderful years we were either with or in touch with each other. I will miss the occasional phone call. I shall shed some happy tears for all our memories. Rest easy my brother.
Charlie & family