Herbert A. “Herb” Burack, a resident of Chelsea since 1947 died on August 25, 2006 in the Boston Center after a period of failing health. He was 79 years old.
Born in Albany, New York the son of the late Max and Ruth (Hesed) Burack, Mr. Burack moved to East Boston with his family at an early age attending the Joseph E. Barnes School. He worked as an usher at the Olympia Theatre in Boston prior to enlisting in the United States Navy on July 3, 1944 at the age of 17. He served and was honorably discharged with the rank of Seaman Second Class from the United States Naval Hospital in Shoemaker, California. Upon returning from military service, Mr. Burack married his wife, Lena (Lissovitz) in 1947 and began his career as a maintenance worker for the City of Chelsea, working tirelessly through blizzards and hurricanes. Upon retiring in 1974, Mr. Burack had two jobs in his retirement as a messenger for the Boston Stock Exchange and as an elevator operator at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Residences in Boston. He was a dedicated family man and also served as the historian for the American Legion Post #34 of Chelsea. He was a former member of the Charles River Park Synagogue which is now known as the Boston Synagogue in Boston’s West End.
In addition to his beloved wife, Mr. Burack is survived by his sons, Howard P. Burack and his wife Rhonda of Cambridge and Warren E. Burack of East Boston.
Funeral services will be held in the Torf Funeral Chapel, 151 Washington Avenue (Cary Sq.) CHELSEA on Monday, August 28, 2006 at 11:00 AM. Rabbi Alan Turitz of Temple Emeth of Chestnut Hill will officiate. Burial will follow in the Workmen’s Circle Cemetery, Melrose. Memorial observance will be private. Donations in Mr. Burack’s memory may be made to the Chelsea Soldiers Home, 91 Crest Ave. Chelsea, MA 02150.