Philip Tanzer

Phil Tanzer passed away on Sunday, April 1, just two and a half weeks shy of his ninety-seventh birthday. Rabbi Kelman of Ahabat Sholom Synagogue stated it well at the funeral the next day when he said, “The Jewish Community of the North Shore has lost one of its finest.” He leaves behind his wife Rosalie Tanzer, nearly eighty-seven, and a number of nieces and nephews to whom he was “Uncle Phil.”

Phil Tanzer was committed to the North Shore. Born and raised in Peabody on English St., now Paleologos St., he and Rosalie lived in Brookline before moving back to Swampscott thirty-five years ago. Recently they moved to the Woodbridge Center for Assisted Living in Peabody where Phil passed away peacefully in his bed.

Phil lived a life of service. He served in the army in World War II, then worked as a civil servant. He and his wife Rosalie dedicated over thirty years to serving the residents at the Jewish Rehabilitation Center in Swampscott. Phil was the gabbai. Rosalie was the bingo lady. Plaques marking their acts of philanthropy can be found all over the North Shore: at the Jewish Rehabilitation Center, at Woodbridge, Ahabat Sholom Synagogue, the Swampscott Library, Union Hospital, the Mass General-North Shore Center for Outpatient Care and Salem Hospital. This spring Woodbridge will finish construction of the Tanzer Chapel. It will be a place for learning, praying and meditating.

Phil will be remembered for his deep commitment to Judaism, to his wife Rosalie and to the greater community of the North Shore. His life of responsibility, integrity and humility leaves an inspiring legacy for those who knew and loved him.