Barry Mark Shuman

Barry Mark Shuman passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on December 29, 2024, after courageously battling a brain tumor for six years, and silently battling multiple sclerosis for 47 years. A remarkable man, he was known for his immeasurable kindness, incredibly quick wit, and his profound love of family.

Born in 1947, in Brookline, Mass., Barry was the youngest son of the late Sarah (Saxe) Shuman Turitz and Saul Shuman. He was the North Star of the family he created with the love of his life, Sally (Caplin) Shuman, his wife of 47 years. His children, Seth Adam Shuman (Bethany) and Alyssa Paige (Shuman) Brown (Robert), and his grandchildren, Samantha and Madison Brown, and Calvin and Alice Shuman, were his proudest accomplishments, and he dedicated his life to their happiness. He made unicorns real for them.

Barry attended Baker School, Brookline High School and Tabor Academy; he was graduated from the University of Virginia and received his master’s degree in education from Northeastern University. Barry devoted his entire career to education, serving for nearly four decades as an English teacher at Brookline High School. As impactful as he was inside the classroom, Mr. Shuman will be remembered most for his dedication outside of it, where he consistently supported his students at every opportunity. Barry was the teacher who treated students as people first; when he asked how they were doing, he genuinely cared about the answer, and he unfailingly showed up for them at every stage of their lives.

In retirement, he continued to give of himself, spending his days volunteering with Project 351 and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and proudly serving as the editor to the former Poet Laureate of the Boston Red Sox on his Daily Musings. He was an avid lover of Motown music, camping, reading, dogs, Dairy Whip ice cream, and the Boston Celtics - witnessing 18 NBA Championships in his lifetime.

Barry had a remarkable talent for surrounding himself with good people. A man of integrity, intelligence, honesty and sarcasm, often silently correcting your grammar, Barry was a mensch in every sense of the word. In addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, he is survived by his brothers, Stanley Shuman (the late Sydney Shuman) and Fred Shuman (Stephanie), nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends whom he cherished.

Barry was the ultimate example of someone who put his family first, and we were all so lucky to have a front row seat to his magic. In the enormous footsteps of Barry Mark Shuman, our own personal superhero, may we all choose to be a little kinder and “do more good” in the world.

In lieu of flowers, donations honoring his name and acts of service honoring his spirit are encouraged. Services will be held at Stanetsky Memorial Chapel, 1668 Beacon Street, Brookline on January 3, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Reception and Shiva information will be provided at the service.