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TOM ALPERIN Obituary

ALPERIN, Tom Builder of Communities Thomas Mark Alperin, lovingly known as Tom, passed away peacefully on Thursday November 14th. He was 65. Above all, Tom was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend who deeply valued the people in his life. His love and care extended from his immediate family to his wider circle of friends, colleagues, and the community. Tom grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he learned the values of kindness, integrity, and hard work from his parents Myer and Joan Alperin. He later moved to the Boston area to attend Tufts University, where he met Marsha, his future wife and lifelong partner. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and shared memories, including raising their three sons-Michael, Jared, and Scott. Tom's love for Marsha was evident in everything he did, and he took immense pride in the family they built together. Family was the heartbeat of Tom's life. He was a wonderful father, always finding time to coach youth sports and enjoy activities with his sons. He was proud to consistently hold the family tennis championship. Tom adored his grandchildren, Sophie and Evan, and embraced every opportunity to be present in their lives. Tom was the Founder and former President of National Development. The company under Tom and his partners' leadership developed numerous and significant commercial real estate projects throughout New England. Tom would attribute National Development's success to a lot of luck, but it was also the result of hard work and the team of employees who Tom cared about deeply. Tom was a pillar in his community, not just through his career but through his extensive volunteer work and civic engagement - he cared deeply about Greater Boston. His contributions went beyond his work at National Development. Starting with his time at Tufts University, where he served as President of the Student Senate, Tom developed a passion for volunteer leadership. He served on multiple local non-profit boards. His work with these organizations was an extension of his belief in giving back and making a positive impact. Tom's warmth and sincerity touched everyone he met. He had a unique ability to connect with people and make them feel valued. Whether enjoying walks on Truro beaches or playing a competitive game of Scrabble, Tom cherished his time with loved ones. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched, the family he nurtured, the buildings he helped develop, and the community he supported. Tom is survived by his beloved wife, Marsha (Cowan) Alperin; his sons, Michael Alperin and wife Lindsay, Jared Alperin and wife Robin Colby, and Scott Alperin and wife Jessica; and his cherished grandchildren, Sophie and Evan Alperin. The funeral service will be held at Temple Beth Elohim, 10 Bethel Road, Wellesley, Massachusetts, on Monday November 18th at 2:30pm. Shiva details will follow. Remembrances may be made to the Boston Foundation Food, Fuel, and Shelter Fund: https://www.tbf.org/donors/forms/food-fuel-and-shelter-fund.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Boston Globe from Nov. 16 to Nov. 17, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for TOM ALPERIN

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Kassandra Pappas Fasano

January 22, 2025

Marsha and Family,

It was a honor and pleasure to work with Tom at National Development for many years. I will never forget his smile and kindness always. Sending my condolences to you all. He will be missed.

Ira & Ginger Lippell

December 5, 2024

Marsha and Family,

We extend our deepest condolences to you and your family upon hearing of the passing of your beloved Tom. As neighbors at our beautiful Sarasota Lido beach condo, we always found Tom to be cheerful and friendly. He will be missed at our condo community!

Warm Regards,
Ira & Ginger Lippell

RICHARD NEIL THIELEN

November 22, 2024

I JUST LEARNED OF TOM'S PASSING. MY FIRM, RINET COMPANY, AND I PERSONALLY DID CONSIDERABLE BUSINESS WITH NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BEFORE I RETIRED AS PRESDENT AND CEO IN 2012. HE WAS A MAN OF UNQUESTIONABLE INTEGRITY AND I WAS VERY ALWAYS IMPRESSED WITH HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS. FOR HIS LOVING FAMILY, I SEND MY CONDOLANCES FOR HIS LOSS AT WAY TOO YOUNG OF AGE. DICK THIELEN

Dan Gainsboro

November 22, 2024

Tom, was an amazing and generous human being. I had the good fortune to work with him for several years in the early stages of National Development emergence into the Boston market. I will be forever grateful for the kindness, confidence and humor he expressed towards me during those formative years of my professional growth. My heart felt condolences go out to his family. He will be sorely missed.

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Gene and Judy Reilly

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Brian hines

November 18, 2024

Tom and I started our real estate careers together at Meredith & Grew in the early 1980´s. I was blessed and fortunate to stay close with him for our 40+ year careers. Off the charts smart, but more importantly always treated others with great respect. His imprint in the greater Boston area will be long lasting. My most heartfelt condolences to you Marsha, your 3 boys and the entire Alperin family. Rest in peace my friend.

Donna Turner

November 18, 2024

Dear Marsha and Family, my husband Scott worked at National Development for twenty years. Tom created the most amazing corporate culture at ND where people worked hard but had fun too and loved what they did. Tom made his employees feel so valued and appreciated. Scott loved his job there and I was always in awe of that very special culture that Tom and the partners created and fostered. My sincere condolences to you all; he was very special.

Ed Dann

November 17, 2024

I always found Tom to be a true gentleman and as kind a person as you could hope to meet. He will be dearly missed by many. God Bless him and his family.

James J Curtin

November 17, 2024

Tom will always be remembered as a genuinely good guy in the real estate development community. May he rest in peace.
My heartfelt condolences to all his family, friends and colleagues.

Pam Herbst

November 17, 2024

To Tom's family and loved ones, I am so very sorry for your loss. I knew Tom professionally as a real estate partner and from industry organizations. Tom was a great, smart, kind and humble person and leader. He had a gentle way about him and always made you feel liked you were heard. I will keep your family and loved ones in my thoughts and prayers. Fondly, Pam Herbst

Tom Johnson

November 17, 2024

So sad to learn of Tom's passing. Such a great guy.
Will forever remember our coaching days together, within the Weston Little League and CYO Basketball. He will be missed!

Dave

November 17, 2024

Marsha and Family and Friends,

I knew Tom professionally, and I knew him to be the wisest and most revered individual in Boston´s CRE industry. He was a mentor, beacon, and role model to countless of us, I dare say all of us. Another of his friends on this page said of Tom - we need more like him. So true. Thank you God for sharing Tom with us.

Bob Coughlin

November 17, 2024

Dear Marcia and Family. We are so sorry to hear about Tom´s passing. We will miss his walks bye our house and his waves of hello Bob will miss his talk with Tom on the beach. Tom will be missed by the Bay Village Community. He was a friendly neighbor and always had a smile as he walked through our neighborhood... Bob and Barbara Coughlin. North Truro

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Team Colwen

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chip goode

November 17, 2024

Tom was a very special friend to many of us raising our kids in Weston. Lots of wonderful memories coaching together on the B-Ball Courts, Baseball fields, and numerous events around town.. a tremendous person and friend in every way. Love from the Goode family.

Deb Jospin

November 17, 2024

Dear Marsha and family - My heart broke when I heard the news about Tom. I loved Tom - he was a kind, smart, generous old soul, forever curious and willing to listen and learn. His smile was the best - may his memory be a blessing. Sending so much love to you all. Deb

Mary O'Brien

November 17, 2024

Marsha and Michael, I remember when you and the family were in Bermuda when Tim and I were there at the same resort. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Best Mary O'Brien, aka Coach

Toni Alperin Goldberg

November 17, 2024

From his Aunt Toni..........from birth to death, in life's complete cycle, there is no one more fitting to receive your kind remarks than this man. In every endeavor he chose, his remarkably kind and genuine effort was recognized. He truly was a man of full promise who kept those promises every step along the way. He would have done so much more, touched so many other lives. Made so many others feel good about themselves and relished in their accomplishments. I loved him dearly and shall miss him even more in the lives of my children and grandchildren.........he nurtured the world and now she has claimed him. May his name and legacy be a blessing always.

Aunt Toni Alperin Goldberg

Gar Morse

November 17, 2024

If there were a model of a responsible, capable, and caring businessman and community member, it would be Tom. I truly cherish the humor and good sense he brought to every conversation we had. We were blessed to have him with us.

Jill Burstein Goldy

November 17, 2024

Sending my heart-felt condolences to Marsha and family. A loss for so many.
- Jill Burstein Goldy
Jill Burstein Goldy

Sam Dettore

November 17, 2024

Marsha,
Very sorry for your loss. I met Tom in 1983 when National Development/Cranshaw hired me when I relocated from Pennsylvania. Our families knew each other as I´m from Scranton as well. Tom was a good man and great to work for and I was sorry to hear of his passing.

Sam

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Mass Housing Investment Corp

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David Slye

November 16, 2024

Tom was omnipresent. While I only knew him through the real estate community, his love of family and friends oozed from his pores. He was gentle in style, and was one of the most intelligent and humble people I have known in our industry. Tom knew the answer to most questions when he asked them, and he always appreciated an honest answer - even if the answer was "I don´t know, I´ll get back to you". His quiet confidence was a constant reassuring vibe in all he did and it made those around him comfortable. Whether in a NAIOP meeting, at a charity event, on tour, or in a negotiation...Tom was a calm and focused presence.
To the Alperin family - I am so sorry for your loss. If Tom left such a large impression on me and so many others in real estate, I can only imagine the presence he had in your lives. God bless Tom, Marsha and your entire family. Tom will be missed in so many ways. The world is a better place because of his presence here, and we could use more like him. Peace

Betsy Busch, M.D.

November 16, 2024

I met Tom when I joined the Tufts University Board of Trustees in 2011. There was much for me to learn as a new Trustee, and Tom was always welcoming and willing to share with me some of his extensive knowledge of both Tufts' institutional and Board-specific history that put everything into much clearer perspective for me. His breadth of knowledge was extraordinary. He was always understated, humble, exceptionally kind, and always willing to take a moment to answer a question. (and I had many!) I always admired his low-key style, despite his many accomplishments and expertise, and thought his family, friends and colleagues were all fortunate to have met someone as genuine, talented and warm as Tom. I certainly am grateful to have known him.

My heartfelt condolences to his family. The world has lost a wonderful man, but I will remember Tom's brilliance and kindness forever.

Lou Woolf

November 16, 2024

Dear Marsha, Michael and Family; I, and all of us at Hebrew SeniorLife, are so very saddened by Tom's passing. When I arrived at HSL in 2009, Tom was co-chair of the Board and it was evident he was an extraordinarily committed, passionate, and oh-so talented force, who was as focused on success as any volunteer leader I've seen in my 30 years in non-profit health care and senior care. He was committed to our organization, those we served, and the many, many more he envisioned we could serve. And, he could not have been more supportive and helpful to me as I entered a new industry. We will all miss him terribly, and know that his memory will be a blessing to all of us, to all of you, and the many, many others he touched. He was the best, and one of a kind. Lou

Mindy Spitz

November 16, 2024

Marsha, I am so sorry for your loss. Tom was so good to me during my years at ND and at HSL. I learned so much from him about real estate and also about living a good life and giving back. He was a huge influence on me. He was a great man.
Mindy

Bob

November 16, 2024

He was the best. Always felt like you were the most important. For the little time I spent with him, he was a big influence on me. He will be really missed. Marsha and boys, our thoughts are with you.

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18

Funeral service

2:30 p.m.

Temple Beth Elohim

10 Bethel Road, Wellesley, MA

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