Emanuel Stanley Balkin

Balkin, Emanuel "Mendy", Age 94 formerly of Weston, MA and York Harbor, Maine on Monday, August 12, 2024. Mendy was raised in Brookline and Boston, the son of Esther (née Weisgal) and Gabriel Balkin. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 65 years, Lorraine "Laney" and his sisters Rachel and Florence. He is survived by his sons, Peter (Martha) and Daniel "Dan" (Dawn) and his brother, David. Mendy was the loving grandfather to Peter and Martha's children, Matthew (Yani), Lauren (William Vetter) and Drew and Dan and Dawn's daughters Emma and Abigail "Abi". He was a proud great-grandfather of six: William, Sean, Wyatt, Alexander, Wren, and Isaac.
Mendy was an appreciative graduate of The Boston Latin School and Dartmouth College and its Tuck School of Business. Tennis was a big part of his life and he was an accomplished player, having been selected for the United States Junior Davis Cup team and also playing at the Varsity level in college; he continued to enjoy playing tennis into his advanced years. Likewise, military service was an important part of Mendy's life. He started his journey of military service while at Boston Latin where he was a member of the Boston School Cadets Second Regiment. In college he participated in the Navy ROTC program and then served on active duty after completing his Master's Degree in 1953 until 1956 when he was honorably discharged at the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. He remained in the Navy Reserves until 1972.
Throughout his adult life he was a strong proponent of education, an avid reader and a supporter of public libraries. In 1962 he and Laney founded Décor International which had a long history as a unique boutique on Newbury Street in Boston where they sold rugs, textile arts and folk art from around the world, much of which they sourced on trips they made to numerous countries. Pieces from Laney and Mendy's personal collection were donated to and are in the collection of The Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
The family will hold a private service. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Boston Latin School or The York, Maine Public Library.