Mitchell J Glassman

Mitch was predeceased in 2021 by his loving wife of 50 years Judy Levy Glassman of Cambridge, whom he dedicated himself to caring for and protecting during her battle with Alzheimer’s. He loved her company and she his. He leaves behind two sons: Adam J. Glassman husband of Yoo Jin Glassman of Cambridge, Matthew J. Glassman husband of Jeremy Louise Eaton of Bath ME, five grandchildren whom affectionally called him ‘Papa’: Nicolas Glassman, Sarah Glassman, Julius Glassman, Davi Glassman and Akiva Eaton.

He also leaves his favorite big sister Cynthia Shields of Centerville MA and his favorite younger brother Stuart Glassman and his wife Susan Glassman of Newton and their families.

Mitch was born in Hull and was raised in Newton, a son of Elliot A. Glassman and Netty (Hunt) Glassman. He graduated from Newton South High School and Syracuse University and completed post-grad work at MassArt and Central Academy Beijing, China.

Mitch was an independent commercial real estate broker for many years before he transitioned into becoming a passionate and well-known abstract artist. He enjoyed travels with Judy to Europe, Israel and Chile, and on his own as an artist explored China, Tibet, and Israel and drew from those experiences for his rigorous and compelling body of work which could be seen at open studios in the South End. He never wanted to be too far for too long from the Ocean, marveled at the wonders of nature, and yearned for a just and inclusive society.

He was an avid runner for many years, and ran the Boston Marathon in 1985 and 1986, the second time with Judy. In retirement he treasured his time in Truro where he and Judy built a house in the woods, spent many idyllic hours on the beach in Truro along with their children and grandchildren. In Truro he enjoyed daily long distance ocean swims, kayaking, clamming, painting, gardening and feeding his birds, and most of all, just being with Judy. He taught his sons the value of hard work, to be interested and curious, to be fastidious, to pick up litter, to honor sacred moments, and to find humor in almost anything.

His adventures included hiking the White Mountains with his sons when they were boys, dining with Barack and Michelle Obama when Judy won a contest during their second campaign for the White House in 2012, white water rafting in Chile, hiking in Patagonia and the French Alps, and a trip to Russia shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union. He loved Bach, and Mozart, the Marx Brothers, Ray Charles and everything on the jazz spectrum. Mitch never stopped creating, he loved a life of taking long walks, talking to strangers, his book club, his coffee group, dry martinis, seeing movies and always looking forward. As far as Mitch was concerned, Boston has the world's best Chinatown, raw oysters are to be slurped from the shell and should be avoided during the months not ending in 'er', and yellow traffic lights are suggestions only. For Mitch, a lifelong learner and Renaissance man, personal growth and evolution was his driving force, even until his final hours, he never stopped growing artistically and spiritually.

Mitch was a member of Temple Beth David in Westwood and later of Temple Beth Zion in Brookline. Mitch was an observant Jew, who spent many hours studying Torah, who loved lighting the shabbat candles, and celebrating and observing the Jewish holidays with his family.

The family would like to take this opportunity to thank the personnel at Care Dimensions for their dedicated and compassionate care as well as his good friend and home health aide Ilda Myrthil.

On Monday, February 24, an 11:00 am memorial service will be held at Stanetsky Memorial Chapel, 475 Washington St Canton, immediately followed by the 12:00 graveside service at Sharon Memorial Park, 120 Canton Street, Sharon, MA.

Immediately following the graveside burial an informal memorial observance and meal will be held at the Cambridge home of Mitch Glassman, 75 Cambridge Parkway, Unit 509E, Cambridge MA. Memorial observance will continue Tuesday morning from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM at Mitch’s late residence and Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 PM at the home of Adam and Yoo Jin Glassman. All are welcome.

Charitable contributions in memory of Mitch may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.