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DANIEL KUNITZ Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for DANIEL KUNITZ
Joel Coffidis
April 4, 2025
About 10 years ago, I sent a postcard out of the blue to Dan thanking him for his teaching. He taught me at Day Jr. High in 1978-79, and I will always remember the curriculum in which students got "married" to learn about the immigration experience. That card led to several connections I had with Dan and Joan in Silver Spring, MD, where I live (they came here to visit one of their grandchildren.) It was so great connecting decades later and getting a chance to tell him how much I appreciated his class. Condolences to Dan's family and the huge network of friends and former students.
Burt Weiner
April 3, 2025
I was so sorry to hear of Dan´s passing. He was a great teacher, an excellent colleague, and, most of all, a fine man. May he rest in peace.
Christopher Poe
April 3, 2025
Our birth sparks a point on a timeline that extends to our past, builds through our lives and extends to our future generations after we are gone...
Along that line, we intersect with 100´s of 1000´s of others.
It is the truly impactful that shift our course for better or worse... sometimes for a short time and sometimes a lifetime...
That was a lesson I learned at just 13 years old while sitting in my social studies classroom. Our teacher, Mr Dan Kunitz, called it a miracle how so many lines crossed in our little room, including his line with ours...
My line, for a short time and perhaps to his dismay, became intentionally interwoven with Mr. Kunitz again in Highschool when I was 15 and again at 16...
The way he taught and the lessons we learned... I cannot put into words how excited I was to see him every single class... and I know my friends and fellow students enjoyed him much the same...
In the years that followed, I was a wartime soldier... and a leader... and a father... and my perspectives of my world were reflections of those that shifted my line... ESPECIALLY HIS! His impact on me was great!
About 25 years later, I reconnected with Mr. Kunitz.. we shared coffee every time I was home and life stories... he came to events I taught resilience and well-being at... he visited our home with his beloved wife Joan who he lost not long after... he visited my daughter´s office at the Boston Archaeology lab...
around him, I felt like a kid again except this time, he wanted to hear my lessons... he introduced me to people he knew and told the story of young Mr. Poe in his class... he spoke of Joey Tribbiani (I mean Matt LeBlanc) when he was one of his students a few years before me...
I told stories of one of the greatest teachers and wisest men I ever knew...
We talked about our families and history and politics and so much more... I can not describe the joy those times gave me..
I also can not describe the size of the impactful shift Mr. Dan Kunitz had on my life...
A shift that has lasted a lifetime and continues even now...
Through my own love of history fueled by an amazing teacher, life mentor and the very best of humanity, I dare to guess that the reason my own daughter chose to become an archaeologist was a 2nd generation passion sparked by Dan...
Most importantly, I had an opportunity to call him a friend...
We lost him just a few days ago at the young age of 90. My heart stopped...
When you feel such joy and kindness in your life and lose it, you´re left feeling a little more lonely.
I will miss him forever but will always remember his heart and his lessons.
All my love to the whole Kunitz clan and thank you for sharing such an amazing person...
Thanks to Dan, I know that his line continues and mine is not yet done...
His service begins at 11:30 EST today. I will be present and mindful of his his amazing, amazing person who let me "feast from his table of knowledge and kindness instead of wallow in ignorance..."
Adam Thibault
April 2, 2025
Mr. Kunitz was my AP U.S. History teacher in 1988-1989. He made the class super fun with his dry witticisms. I learned a ton and later taught U.S. History to highschoolers. There is a method to my madness!
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Donna Gruenberg
April 2, 2025
Fred and I are very saddened by Dan's passing. We looked forward to the trips he and Joan made to Chicago to their roots. Following Joan's passing, Dan still made his trips to see family and others. We were fortunate to have shared his company and many stories. You will be missed dear Dan.
Fred and Donna Gruenberg
Matt Laufer
April 2, 2025
Where to start? Much of my approach to teaching, at least the good stuff, comes from Dan. I try to be positive like he was. "Terrific," I find myself saying, and thinking of him. I try to be welcoming to everyone-including (especially?) strangers-like he was. I listen to "Abiyoyo" at least once a year to try to summon him as a storyteller. "I need your help," I tell parents of my students because Dan advised me to do so. I think twice about how the ending of The Awakening will land.
He was a mensch. A sage and lightener and healer. How many of us counted him as a supplemental father, or grandfather, figure? I´ll always remember the twinkle in his eye and the love he brought to everyone. Thank you, Dan. Fish in peace.
Laurie Read
April 1, 2025
In 8th grade we took a hiking/overnight field trip in NH. Wa
Dan was one of the chaperones. On the way up the mountain he encouraged us to keep going even when we were tired, to look out for our peers, and to enjoy the climb. Shortly before arriving at the the cabin at the top of the mountain it started to snow. I mean, REALLY snow. When we woke the next morning we realized that we were snowed in and would be staying longer than we planned. Dan, armed with a guitar, amazing storytelling skills, a calm demeanor, and a wonderful sense of humor, kept us happy and entertained for 3 days before the weather cleared and we could hike back down the mountain. To this day, at the age of 52, it is still one of my happiest memories. He just made everything better. May his memory be a blessing.
David Moore
April 1, 2025
Such a dear, sweet, gentle man. Lynne and I have many wonderful memories of evenings spent with Dan and Joan at Judkins Street-self-effacing, a wry set of humor, and always willing to help when needed. In my mind´s eye, I will always remember him at Day Junior High or Newton North, in his white shirt with sleeves rolled up, wearing khaki pants, nodding off during a late afternoon meeting. It was understood by all not to wake him, that it was a well-deserved respite.
Jamie D'Orazio
April 1, 2025
Dan was my mentor and friend. He taught his students the joy of knowing. He taught me that's what teaching was all about. He lived a long and prosperous life and the the world of education has lost a GIANT! RIP my friend and mentor
Pat and Marge O'Reilly
April 1, 2025
Our memories of Dan and the family are deep wellsprings of joy we will always cherish. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Keir Walker
April 1, 2025
Mr. Kunitz - I will forever prefer to call him this as he was a teacher with whom I utterly revered - was one of my most inspirational figures in my young life. Having been "accepted" into in his honors US History course, he demonstrated a belief in me that few teachers, ever did. His ability to instill excitement and dedication to what was one of the best courses I ever took at NNHS was not what made him such an exceptional teacher. It was his ability to connect with so many students, not as pupils, but as young and often misguided people. Virtually everyone I´ve ever known who had him as a teacher will attest to this, which is why they almost all undoubtedly agree that he was one of the best teachers, and even better man.
I was fortunate enough to reconnect with him later in life. And he remained a friend and teacher to me still. I´d sometimes share essays I´d written with him and he´d offered advice to me as well regarding socio-political events, which we´d enjoyed discussing. My heart is truly saddened by his passing. There will never be another like him.
One of missing I fondly recalled in HS was that "we wear many hats" and I think of all the "hats" Dan Kunitz wore best, was that of a thoughtful and caring human being who lived and loved to each others to be equally thoughtful and caring.
RIP Mr. Kunitz
Josh Hamermesh
April 1, 2025
Mr. Kunitz was the history / social studies teacher GOAT! I was blessed to take class with him at both Day Jr. High and Newton North. He approached his classes with intellect, compassion, and humor. All the students were engaged, entertained, and enhanced by his influence. As a high school teacher now myself, I often use two of my favorite Mr. Kunitz quotes:
"There´s a method to the madness."
"How about a little shush?"
Dan Kunitz was a great man. May his soul RIP.
Kevin CARSON
April 1, 2025
My condolences to the Kunitz family. Dan was my teacher many years ago. I was fortunate to reconnect with him these past few years. He was an inspirational teacher, a wonderful man and a dear friend. He will be missed by the many lives he touched. RIP Dan.
Beth Tishler
April 1, 2025
Dan was a gifted teacher and a warm caring person. He leaves a lasting impact on all of us. He will be missed.
Ben Heywood
April 1, 2025
He was a wonderful teacher and I fondly remember his love for teaching and caring for us as young minds. I had the pleasure of having coffee with him a few years back and he really felt like someone who was super content and knew he had lived a full life and was grateful. Another gift to me by an amazing teacher.
Lisa Olivieri
April 1, 2025
I am so saddened to hear of Mr. Kunitz's passing. I had him as a teacher at Day Jr. High and remember his kindness and passion. He took a group of classmates to his temple services and back to his house for dinner after. What a gift. Prayers for his family.
Vincent D'Alleva
April 1, 2025
Mr. Kunitz was one of the greatest people I´ve ever met. His kindest, humor and intellect were well known, but his ability to teach, even in the most casual of settings, was uncanny. He guided me through junior high school and later, reminded me of his teachings when I had a family of my own. I was fortunate to become friends with Dave, Joann and Suzy and was often reminded of his gentle kindness through them.
Even though Mr.Kunitz enjoyed a long life, the departure of a loved one can often be difficult. All I kind say is that he lives in us all through his love, laughter and amazing talent as a teacher of life.
Kathy Kagan Laufer
April 1, 2025
Dan was a dear friend and mentor. He has been a part of my life for 62 years. May he rest in peace.
Daniel Falvey
March 31, 2025
Mr. Kunitz was my favorite teacher. He had such a passion for teaching and inspired me to become one myself. My deepest sympathy to your family.
Tracey Goodwin
March 31, 2025
Mr. Kunitz was a wonderful teacher, the students of Newton were so lucky to have him as a teacher. My sympathies to the Kunitz family.
Jason Falchuk
March 31, 2025
Mr.Kunitz was and will remain a legend for those fortunate enough to have had him as a teacher and friend. He was the best of best and a teacher and friend. He was anything but "a marshmallow." He will be missed as much as he will be celebrated.
Amy Solomon Silber
March 31, 2025
My sisters and I are deeply saddened to learn of Mr. Kunitz´s passing. All three of us- Lesley, Lori and Amy Solomon- had Mr. Kunitz for freshman history and AP history. He made learning fun, exciting, and always had the entire class engaged. To this day, he is my favorite teacher of all time. Mr. Kunitz, you lived a beautiful life and had a positive impact on so many students. You will be missed. May your memory be a blessing.
Maureen Condon
March 31, 2025
Please accept my deepest sympathy in the passing of Dan. He was a wonderful new friend and will be missed very much.
Paula Carton
March 31, 2025
A wonderful person and amazing teacher. My family was truly blessed to know him! Deepest condolences!
Alana Zion-Buchalla & Fernando Buchalla
March 31, 2025
We are so saddened to hear of Dan's passing. We send blessings and gratitude for his life and friendship.
He illuminated and touched our lives.
With love and our deepest condolences, Alana & Fernando
Joe and Sandy Siciliano
March 31, 2025
So sorry to hear of Dan's passing . He was a fine man, neighbor and colleague. He will be very missed. Our sincere condolences to his beautiful family.
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