Harry Alfred Tabenken

Harry Alfred Tabenken, aged 85, of West Roxbury, Massachusetts and Delray Beach, Florida, died July 3, 2026.

Born in Bangor, Maine in 1941, Harry loved all things Maine (except lobster). He had an insatiable curiosity and a passion for learning. He loved music, culture, skiing, exploring, and spending time with family and friends in his native Maine, his adopted homes of Massachusetts and Florida, around the country and abroad.

As a child Harry cherished summers as a camper and counselor at his beloved Camp Lown in Oakland, Maine. A member of the Bangor High School class of 1959, Harry graduated with a BS in Business Administration from Boston University in 1962, where he was a member of TEP fraternity. He completed his law degree from Boston University School of Law in 1965.

He married his college sweetheart, Helen Gordon, in 1963 and together they raised their children in Bangor, cultivating a deep appreciation for education, culture, and community. Harry worked as an attorney in private practice and was an active member of Congregation Beth Israel and the Jewish Community Council. The family later moved to Holliston, Massachusetts, where Harry joined Reed Business Information (formerly Reed Elsevier and Cahners Publishing) in customer service and credit collections.

After Helen’s passing in 2005, Harry found love again with his partner Joni Herson, and together they created a home and close-knit community of friends in Florida, with their beloved pup Chewie. They enjoyed travel around North America, the Caribbean, and Europe, and Harry built a strong network of friends through his engagement with the local men’s organization, Company A.

In addition to his wife Helen Gordon Tabenken, Harry was predeceased by his parents, Morris Tabenken and Bess Berkowitz Tabenken. He is survived by his partner Joni Herson of Delray Beach, Florida, his children Marcia Tabenken (Jeff Kolodney) of Newton and David Tabenken (Luis Williams) of Boston, and grandchildren Jacob Kolodney and Alex Kolodney.

A Graveside Service will be held Monday, July 6, at 10:30am at the Framingham Natick Jewish Cemetery, 40 Fairview Avenue, Natick, Massachusetts. The family will receive visitors at the home of Marcia Tabenken and Jeff Kolodney following the Service from 12:30–2:30 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in Harry’s memory to The Pap Corps: Champions for Cancer Research, or a charity that is meaningful to you.