the age of 72.
Joel grew up in Winthrop, son of the late Louis and Lee (Charam) Bernstein. He graduated from Commonwealth School and Hobart College, and he received his JD from Boston University. In 1978, he opened Nuggets, a much loved used record store in Kenmore Square, which he ran for 20 years. He was an avid record collector and critic, and a frequent contributor to music publications including Sweet Potato and Country Standard Time. He also produced the 1976 album “The Last Straw” with Chuck McDermott and Wheatstraw which was released to strong reviews from Rolling Stone and The Village Voice.
Joel was very devoted to his family, and his absence is deeply felt by his sister Myra Wiener of Toronto; his nephew Benjamin Wiener (Monika) of Los Angeles; great-nephews, Henry and Isaac; and great-niece, Josephine.
Funeral services will be held via Zoom at 1pm on March 31. Please contact Stanetsky Memorial Chapel at 781-821-4600 for the link.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in his memory may be donated to the American Cancer Society.
