Morris Kirsner

Of Brookline and Mashpee, MA. A practicing attorney; entered into rest, December 4, 2007 after a brief illness. Born and raised in Roxbury, Massachusetts, he thereafter resided in Brookline for many years. Mr. Kirsner received a Bachelor of Law Degree from Northeastern University School of Law and later a Juris Doctorate degree. He was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar shortly after attaining his twenty-second birthday and later was admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts. He continued to practice law until his death. During his career, Mr. Kirsner's practice included both civil and criminal matters, some of great notoriety. Among others, he for a number of years represented Bill Russell, a former great of the Boston Celtics, and for thirty plus years Mr. Kirsner represented Michio Kushi and his wife Aveline Kushi, world leaders in the teaching and practice of the principles of macrobiotics whose writings, books and lectures were requested and accepted by Smithsonian Institute. In 1965 he was appointed by the President of the United States to serve as a member of the Selective Service System (local Draft Board #25) and in 1969 was elected Chairman. The Board was active throughout the war in Vietnam. In 1974 a number of Draft Boards of surrounding towns were consolidated with the Brookline Draft Board into a single Board and Mr. Kirsner was elected Chairman of the consolidated Board. Later in 1974 he was appointed by the President of the United States as a Board Member (Representative of Law) for the Board of Appeals of the Selective Service System, Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In 1970 he was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by the President of the United States, Richard Nixon, Governor Francis Sergeant, and the State Director of Selective Service. In 1976 Mr. Kirsner was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the President of the United States Gerald Ford "in grateful recognition of the valuable services contributed to the Nation and the Selective Service System in the Administration of the Selective Service Act". He was a major factor, with others, in obtaining approval of the legislation which resulted in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts acquiring by eminent domain, four hundred acres of land in Mashpee which possessed many natural resources, now known as, South Cape Beach State Park, and dedicated to public use. He was appointed a Member of the South Cape Beach State Park Advisory Committee and was elected its Chairman, an office he held for over twenty five years. He also was a major factor in the preparation of the basic agreement between the Town of Mashpee and the Department of Environmental Management which controls the use and development of the "Park" and also other pertinent Agreements. In 2003 he received a PROCLAMATION from Mashpee Board of Selectmen "HONORING his services relative to the South Cape Beach State Park". He was Special Town Counsel during the litigation brought by the Wampanoag Indians and thereafter was acting Town Counsel for a period of time. Mr. Kirsner was a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association, American Bar Association, Massachusetts Trial Lawyers Association, American Judicature Society, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and others. He has been active for many years in the community and civic affairs, and was a member of various associations and lodges. Devoted father of Estelle K. Rothschild of East Walpole, MA, Nelson D. Kirsner of Mashpee, MA, and Douglas H. Kirsner of NH. Loving brother of Dr. Joseph B. Kirsner of IL, Gertrude London of Randolph, MA, and the late Lena Abrams and Ethel Resnic. Cherished grandfather of Daniel E.K. Rothschild, Diana Fitzgerald, Faye Ellen Lash, Tamra Kirsner, Ashley Kirsner, Britny Kirsner, and many great grandchildren. Services will be held at Stanetsky Memorial Chapel, 475 Washington St., CANTON on Thursday, December 6 at 2:00 PM. Memorial observance will be at the home of Estelle Rothschild following the interment, Friday 12:00-3:00 PM. Saturday from 7:00-9:00 PM, and Sunday from 12:00-8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in his memory may be made to Macular Degeneration Foundation c/o Dr. Jeffery S. Heier, 50 Staniford St. Boston, MA 02114, or to the Hospice of the Good Sheppard, 2042 Beacon St., Newton, MA 02468 Stanetsky Memorial Chapels (781) 821-4600 www.stanetsky.com