Herbert Katz

Herbert Katz of Falmouth, MA and Loon Mountain, NH passed away on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, surrounded by family after a brief illness. Husband of Jossilane (Marques) Katz and the late Barbara B.(Ginsburg) Katz and the late Laraine T.(Lima) Katz. Father of Jerald & Sidney Boucher-Katz of Brookline, Rick & Kalilla Katz of Dover, Chuck & Jill Katz of Sudbury, and Corey & Meredith Katz of Mashpee. Grandfather of Rochelle, Laurie, Sabrina, Alexa, Joshua, Loren, Gabriel, Jacob, Robbie, Brenna, Michael and Cameron. Brother of Sumner, Burton and Leonard.

Herb was born to William “Wolfie” Katz and Violet (Ribock) Katz. He grew up in Chelsea and Dorchester. He attended and was a lifelong supporter of Boston Latin School and Dartmouth College class of 1952. Herb served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy from 1952 through 1954. He enjoyed a fantastic life of skiing, tennis and travel. As a Dartmouth grad, he learned the fine art of hosting myriad parties over six decades. Attendees were graced by his graciousness and genuine interest in the world around him. He was the owner of General Builders Supply Company. Started by his father and uncle, he grew the company greatly over a period of 50 years, Their claim to fame came as a supplier on an ongoing basis to the “Plywood Palace” aka the John Hancock Building in Boston. Every week they would deliver special panels to replace the windows of the building which had a propensity to pop out on to the street below. He was Past President and Man of the Year of the Massachusetts Retail Lumber Dealers Association.

Herb maintained an active affiliation to the Falmouth Jewish Congregation. He also supported Combined Jewish Philanthropies and Jewish National Fund. At Loon Mountain he was a contributor to the Loon Mountain Adaptive Ski Program. He was a member of the Falmouth Yacht Club and Falmouth Elks.

After his retirement, he divided his time between his homes in Falmouth, MA and Loon Mountain, NH. Always a bit of a contrarian, Herb would heed the voice of the moose over the birds and would travel north every winter to ski, while his friends headed south to warmer climates. During the summer, he was an extremely active tennis player. He delighted in the accomplishments of his children and was happiest when entertaining and especially skiing with his grandchildren.

Services at the Levine Chapels, 470 Harvard Street, Brookline on Friday, May 9 at 10:30am. Following the burial in Temple Emeth Memorial Park, 776 Baker Street, West Roxbury, memorial observance will be at the home of Rick & Kalilla Katz through 7:00pm and continuing Saturday 7-9pm and Sunday 4-8pm. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Loon Adaptive Ski Program at NE Disabled Sports, PO Box 26, Lincoln, NH, 03251, www.NEDisabledSports.org or the children’s charity of your choice.