Samuel "Sy" Edward Mintz

It is with full hearts that we share the passing of our beloved, one of a kind, vibrant, and famously stubborn patriarch Samuel “Sy” Edward Mintz. Sy died peacefully on June 22, 2026 at his memory care home in Sudbury, MA after a long journey with Alzheimer's disease. He passed just shy of his 97th birthday.

Sy was preceded in death by his parents Adolphe and Helen, his late wife of 45 years Florence Helen Mintz, his older brother Lawrence Mintz, sister Theresa (Terry) Papp, and granddaughter Natalie Mintz.

He leaves behind his loving children: Shelley Mintz of Brookline; Adam and Beth Mintz of Westborough; Andrea (Mintz) and Tim Gilmore of Lebanon, NH; and Julie (Mintz) and Sean Hopkinson of Salisbury. Sy was a very proud grandfather to his seven loving grandchildren: Haley and Josh Gilmore, Elliot and Leah Mintz, and Mitchell, Liora, and Aaron Hopkinson.The family would also like to acknowledge his devoted companion of the past 15 years, Maureen Grace of Newton, who quickly became a dedicated passenger on the whirlwind journey of Sy’s whimsical life.

Sy was a Korean War Veteran, Fulbright Scholar and a pioneer in community development. Sy was the founder and owner of Mintz Associates Architects and Planners. His firm specialized in low income and elderly housing and championed opening up public spaces and incorporating community needs into many key redevelopments, in particular Columbia Point in Dorchester. Most recently, he was a trusted resource to his adopted hometown of Charlestown where he rallied like-minded neighbors into challenging the $1 Billion Bunker Hill Housing Redevelopment that would have significantly altered the cherished community fabric that is Charlestown today. A dedicated collector of all things handmade, Sy was a regular fixture at craft fairs across New England. Sy was equally passionate about jazz, swing, and the smooth melodies of Sinatra.

Unforgettable and one of a kind, Sy had a rare warmth that made him instantly likeable. He loved interacting with everyone who crossed his path regardless of vocation or status. Sy’s legacy of humor, spirited curiosity, and steadfast dedication to his profession and family will forever be an inspiration. We are all better for knowing him. He will be greatly missed.

Funeral services and burial will be private. A celebration of Sy’s extraordinary life will take place at a later date for those who would like to celebrate and honor his memory. The family will notify people as soon as a date is decided.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to his son’s Fight to EndAlz Alzheimer's fundraiser at https://events.alz.org/fundraisers/adammintz/48peaks or directly to www.alz.org