Michael Konowitz

Michael Konowitz, 85, of Deerfield Beach, Florida died at his home on June 4th in Deerfield Beach, Florida. Michael was born on September 14th, 1940 in Boston, Massachusetts to Edward and Lillian Konowitz and grew up primarily in Natick, Massachusetts graduating from Natick High School. Michael graduated with a Bachelors degree in English from Northeastern University where he joined ROTC and co-founded a school radio station with his cousin and close friend Steven Fradkin.

He voluntarily enlisted in the army as an officer candidate at a time when the draft was in place, and served in Georgia and Fort Bragg, North Carolina where his oldest child Sheri was born. Michael deployed to Vietnam two weeks after her birth and returned to Massachusetts 13 months later. In the war, Michael worked with the Open Arms program where millions of "safe-conduct passes" (leaflets) were dropped to encourage North Vietnamese soldiers to safely cross over, promising fair treatment and safety. While he didn't see combat, he did lose dear friends in the war. He welcomed the birth of his son Barry in 1969.

Michael's early career led him to technical writing in the computer industry writing technical manuals, however his true love was music. Michael began playing the piano at the age of 4 and blossomed into a lifelong career musician playing keyboards and vocals. In his early days, he played with Happ Snow and the Whirlwinds playing all over New England, including Dartmouth University for what was the inspiration for Animal House. He eventually assembled the Michael Kaye Trio featuring his dear friends Frank and Butch, eventually moving to a duo, and finally performing solo for many years all over New England ranging from Ken's Steak House in Framingham, Massachusetts to Snow Lake Lodge in Vermont, to various John Martin Manor properties all over Maine. Michael continued performing until late in his life even after making a career change into resume writing and career consulting with CareerPro for several decades. Still, for decades, he could be found playing piano alongside his father, Eddie Kaye, playing organ in the “music room” of his childhood home filling the house with music on a Sunday afternoon.

Michael married his beloved Lynn in 1997 and warmly welcomed her daughters Jennifer and Joanna into his tribe.

Michael loved piloting his 4 passenger Cardinal Cessna airplane, all things Sci-Fi, skiing, cooking, mastering the BBQ grill and smoker, was an avid follower of the space program, vacationing in Maui on his bicycle, and exploring theme parks. He was extremely proud of his vast movie collection and hosting family gatherings at his home in Ashland, Massachusetts before making the permanent move to Deerfield Beach, Florida about two years ago. He also loved blowing the shofar, the tekia gedola, concluding the Yom Kippur service at Temple Israel of Natick for many years.

Michael is survived by his wife Lynn Konowitz of Deerfield Beach, Florida; daughter Sheri Konowitz (Josh Burt) of Eugene, Oregon; son Barry Konowitz of Medway, Massachusetts; stepdaughters Jennifer Brown of Mansfield, Massachusetts, and Joanna Lieberman of Brookline, Massachusetts. He is also survived by ten grandchildren: Rebekah Konowitz of Oxford, Massachusetts, Jake Short of Eugene, Oregon; Amanda Haak (Travis) of Paxton, Massachusetts, Hayley Short of Portland, Oregon; Anna Konowitz of Medford, Massachusetts; Jared Short of Eugene, Oregon; Nona Solomon-Burt of Eugene, Oregon; Raia Solomon-Burt of Eugene, Oregon, Emily Brown of Mansfield, Massachusetts, and Natalie Lieberman of Brookline, Massachusetts. Michael is also survived by four great-grandchildren.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Lillian Konowitz and his sister Judi Konowitz Von Dohlen.

The funeral will take place at Stanetsky Memorial Chapel, 475 Washington Street, Canton, MA, on Monday, June 8th, at 1:30 PM. Interment will follow at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham Street, Sharon, MA.

Following the funeral services, the family will shiva at the Von Dohlen residence on Monday, June 8th, until 9:00 PM. Then on Tuesday, June 9th and Wednesday, June 10th, visiting hours are 1:00-4:00 PM and 7:00-9:00 PM. There will be evening minyan services taking place at 7:30 PM, Monday through Wednesday.

Donations in memory of Michael Konowitz can be made to the fund of your choice at Temple Israel of Natick, 145 Hartford Street, Natick, MA 01760 or at www.tiofnatick.org