George Berman

George Berman A devoted family man and successful business leader, George died peacefully on January 20, 2022. He was 96. Born on June 15, 1925 on Crawford Street, Roxbury, MA to Eli and Dorothy Berman, he grew up amongst a large extended family. He made life-long friendships at Boston Latin School and at MIT in the Navy’s World War II V-12 program. He graduated with a degree in electrical engineering and was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy. Following his naval service, George became a member of the famous Harvard Business School class of 1949. In 1960, he co-founded Unitrode Corporation, a manufacturer of advanced discrete semiconductors, which he proudly took public on the New York Stock Exchange. George retired as Chairman of the Board and CEO of Unitrode in 1990. In 1989, he married the love of his life, Joan Berman. Their love and partnership served as a model of caring and support for their family and friends in Newton and Centerville, MA and Scottsdale, AZ. George made friends wherever he went and was famous for chatting with anyone and everyone who crossed his path. He was often the life of the party and loved to regale his family with stories of his past.Throughout his life, George enjoyed skiing and playing tennis with his family and friends. He learned to fly and gained his pilot’s license well into retirement, enjoying many afternoons flying to local airfields. His philanthropic interests included service on the Board of the Beth Israel Hospital, leadership in Camp Alton, Boston Latin School, and Harvard Business School alumni groups, as well as various corporate board memberships in technology companies. In addition to his beloved wife, Joan, George is survived by four daughters, Liz (Ned) Hazen of Belmont, MA, Jane Rascal of Newburyport, MA, Sally Berman of Rome, Italy and Connie (Giles) Moore of Weston, MA; six grandchildren, Julia (Zev Simpser) and Adam Hazen, Silvia and Davide Ciannella, and Lydia and Charlie Moore, and one great-grandson, Ben Simpser. George also leaves behind a dear sister-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ralph, his sister Greta, and many beloved cousins and friends.In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Beth Israel Lahey Health at www.bilh.org or the Joan L. and George M. Berman Community Fund at the New England Baptist Hospital at www.nebh.org. The funeral service will be held at 12 PM on Monday, January 24 in the chapel at Newton Cemetery, 791 Walnut St., NEWTON Burial to follow. The family respectfully requests that attendees are masked and fully vaccinated.Shiva will be observed from 3-5pm on Tuesday, January 25 and Wednesday, January 26 at the Gables Condominium Clubhouse on Dedham Street, Newton.