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RICHARD SLIFKA Obituary

SLIFKA, Richard Barry Of Boston. Boston philanthropist and business leader, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2025 at the age of 85. Beloved husband of Rosalyn (Greenberg) Slifka. Devoted father of Amy Cook and her husband Jamie, Karen Dattilo and her husband Jeffery, and Andrew Slifka and his wife Jodi. Cherished grandfather ("Grumpy") of Shayna and Daniel Cook, Joseph and Michael Dattilo, and Julia and Jason Slifka. Dear brother of Alfred Slifka (z'l) and his wife Gilda. Richard was a proud alumni of Boston Latin School and M.I.T. He and Rosalyn met at age seventeen on an arranged date and they were married for sixty-three years. They raised their family of three, and watched their family grow to include their children's spouses, six grandchildren, one step-grandchild and one step-great-grandchild. Richard cared deeply about making the world a better place. He served on the Board of Directors of St. Francis House, the largest day shelter in Massachusetts, from 2002 to 2024. He served on the Board of Trustees of Boston Medical Center, the academic medical center and safety net hospital, from 2006 to 2019, and of BMC Health System, Inc. from 2013 to 2021. At BMC, he sponsored the Richard B. Slifka Chief of Neurology position. Richard became involved in fighting Multiple Sclerosis in honor of his mother, Sonya Slifka. He was a director of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society from 1981 to 2019. He served as Greater New England Chapter Chairman from 1986-1988 and was elected to the National Board of Directors in 1987 where he served as Chairman from 1998-2001. He and Rosalyn supported many Jewish causes and charities in the United States and in Israel, including many day schools. Chairman of the Board of Global Partners LP, Richard joined the company in 1963 and held various leadership and governance roles with Global Partners or its predecessors throughout his career. Mr. Slifka entered the oil industry at his brother Fred's request to join him at Slifky's Reliable Oil Company, the business started by his father, Abraham, in 1933. Fred and Richard transformed the business into one of New England's largest wholesalers of distillates, gasoline, residual oil and bunker fuel. Mr. Slifka and his family successfully completed Global Partners' initial public offering and listing on the New York Stock Exchange in 2005. Mr. Slifka is a past director of the New England Fuel Institute and served as president of the Independent Fuel Terminal Operators Association. Services at Temple Sinai, 25 Canton Street, Sharon, MA, on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at 10:30 am. Interment to follow at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA. Family and friends are invited to join Richard's family at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 776 Boylston Street, on Sunday afternoon, from 2:30 to 7 pm. Memorial observance will continue on Tuesday, June 3, from 5 to 8 pm, at Temple Beth David, 7 Clapboardtree Street, Westwood, MA. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater New England Chapter or to a charity of your choice. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/resources/get-connected/in-your-area/mam
Published by Boston Globe from May 27 to May 28, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for RICHARD SLIFKA

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27 Entries

Kate Norton

June 10, 2025

Richie was a force for MS research and people living with MS. What a mensch! I am so grateful to have worked with him over the years. He will be missed dearly.

jeffery raetz

June 7, 2025

Richard Slifka was a great man. A great mentor to me. I have so many good memories of him. May he find peace with his brother Fred. My condolences to the Slifka family. He will always be in my heart. The Raetz Family.

Andrew Sawyer

June 3, 2025

I was devastated to learn of Mr. Slifka´s passing. My father and I enjoyed working for him throughout the years. He was an extremely kind and generous person. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Alli Sawyer

June 3, 2025

I was so sad to hear the news of Mr. Slifka´s passing. He was truly a great and generous man. I am forever grateful for his support of my application to Boston College 25 years ago. My prayers are with your family during this difficult time.

Richard Jeffrey

June 3, 2025

Richie Slifka... truly a great man! i work for him & his family many years.. as a oil delivery driver, "teamster" his respect & generosity to the workers never wavered.. often all the help would be rewarded, xtra payed day off, turkeys, etc.. out of the norm for a Union company... rest in peace richie!! God Bless You & ur Family!! & Thank You For Being YOU!! & ur continued.
Support of the Gentleman's Gym!! all you 've done for them, & ur family continues to do for them!! ( PEACE )

Ricard and Barbara Elman

June 3, 2025

Condolences to the Slifka family.I have Richard for fifty years he always respectfull and supportive to helping people when needed.He was a mensch Richard Elman

Kenneth and Linda Hootnick

June 2, 2025

We are saddened to read of Richie's passing. He was a good friend and a wonderful person. He will be truly missed

Marshall & Sandy Sack

June 1, 2025

We are sending condolences and love to Ros and the other members of the Slifka family. We are mourning the loss of Richard, our beloved cousin-and know that he will be greatly missed by his family, his colleagues, and by the many who benefitted from his kindness and generosity.
Marshall & Sandy Sack

gail brooks

June 1, 2025

Richard was such a kind gentleman with a great sense of humor. My sincere condolences to his lovely wife Roz and to his family.

Mackie newell

May 31, 2025

Richie was a kind man and a brilliant oil man. My condolences to his family.

Joy Almekies

May 30, 2025

My deepest condolences on the passing of a great man

David Siegel

May 30, 2025

My dear Richard, a friend, client and a humanitarian,
A great man that will be missed by many, family and friends, may you rest in peace and may you´re family thankful to of had such a giving man in there lives ,God Bless !!

Sari

May 30, 2025

On behalf of JCDS, we wish to express our deepest condolences to the Slifka family. Richard cared about the future of the Jewish people, and generously supported many organizations in the Greater Boston area. I will remember him as a person with warmth, good humor, and a humble spirit. May his memory be a blessing.

Rob Fersh

May 30, 2025

I extend my deep condolences to the Slifka family on the death of "Richie" (as I knew him) Slifka. I was first introduced to Richie back in 2009 as I was starting new organization in Washington, DC to bridge divides on important national issues. I will forever be grateful to Richie for taking a chance in supporting this effort and I don't think we would have gotten off the ground without him. The group is called Convergence Center for Policy Resolution and it is now 16 years old. Richie made annual grants to us for many years and most years, I came by his office in Waltham to meet with him and catch up. We both really enjoyed interacting with each other. He was often direct in his comments and also showed what a big heart he had. Also, at one point, one of Richie's granddaughters interned with us. I was very fond of him and am grateful for both his support and the time we had to talk with another. This must be a huge loss for the family and his friends and I hope memories of him will always touch a warm place in your hearts.

Brian Cohen MetroWest Jewish Day School

May 30, 2025

Richard was so kind to take time to speak with me about supporting our school. A really great person.

Peter Marcoux

May 29, 2025

Our family prayers go out too the Slifka family

Robin Pelissier

May 29, 2025

Pure joy working with you, Richard. Myself, Suzanne and Danielle looked forward to every visit w you and Roz.

Cyndi Zagieboylo

May 28, 2025

Dear Richie...so humble, so generous, so supportive, so special. I am better for knowing you and Roz.
With love always,
Cyndi

Shahani Inc

May 28, 2025

Condolences to the entire Slifka Family. A true pioneer in the work he accomplished over many decades - we have been privileged to work with the global team for many years and for many years to come. The world is a better place due to Richard's unwavering commitment to the communities he served.

stewart r levy

May 28, 2025

Condolences to the entire Slifka Family - Richie was the definition of a mensch. He will be missed by all that knew him. BDE

Yvan Guillaume

May 28, 2025

You will be greatly missed Richard. I´m sorry I didn´t get the chance to visit you , even though you were constantly on my mind. Most of all, we collectively at Sid , appreciated your sense of style, sharp observations about the state of our country and many other local topics. I can only say your absence will be felt for a very long time. Bon voyage my friend.

Bruce and Gail Kurman

May 28, 2025

Sincere condolences to the Slifka family . May his memory be a blessing. -Gail and Bruce Kurman

Fred Chanowski

May 28, 2025

There has never been a kinder, more selfless and more generous man than Richard Slifka.
Fred Chanowski
President
Beth Menachem Chabad

Bountiful Blooms Bundles

Jenna Lewis

Sent Flowers

Edward Tucker

May 28, 2025

I was very much saddened by Rich's passing. In addition to being classmates at Latin School and MIT, he and I shared having mothers who were affected by MS. I came across an article about his data based initiative to understand the relationship of symptoms and the condition itself. We saw each other every twenty years or so at reunions, but the memories are very strong.

Jenna Lewis

May 28, 2025

The world will not be the same without you, and I am going to forever treasure the meetings we shared.

zalman and gittie leff

May 27, 2025

Dear Mrs. Slifka and family,
No words can properly express our feelings of thankfulness and indebtedness towards your husband. Richie always made himself available to speak with us, and opened his office and his heart. He assisted us when we needed help to pay for our children's weddings, and assisted many other families in their times of need; whether it was medical assistance, people who were unemployed, or just couldn't make ends meet. As president of Yad Chaim, Inc, a local charity, I can bear witness to the generosity of Richie. And as Dean of the Boston Kollel, I have been in awe of Richie's ability and willingness to say yes, to donate, again and again. As parents of children in the day school system here in Boston, we again have been the grateful recipients of Richie and Rosalyn's benevolence. Only G-d knows the true extent of your heartfelt charitable acts, and we know, that is the only thing that comes along with a person to the next world. These awesome good deeds shall bear witness to the special individual who has passed. The world will not be the same, and Richie will always have a special place in our hearts. Your warmth and friendship will not be forgotten.
Sincerely yours,
Rabbi Zalman and Gittie Leff

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