KANTROWITZ, Dr. Fred G. Age 78, of Medfield, MA, Vineyard Haven, MA and Sharon, CT, passed away November 13, 2024, at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. He was the loving husband of Anne Kirby; devoted father of Gregory and William; father-in-law of Katie and Brittanny; and proud grandfather of Jack, Ava and Jameson.

Fred was born December 10, 1945 in Brooklyn, New York, the son of the late Theo and Dinah (Kotick) Kantrowitz. His own health struggles as a child, intellectual curiosity and desire to help others led him to a career in medicine. Fred's illustrious medical career was highlighted by nearly 50 years on the Beth Israel staff, more than 30 published works and a chapter as team doctor for the Boston Celtics. Later in his career, he developed a reputation for being the doctor to handle only the most complex cases, including long Covid.

Fred's work also occasionally crossed with his personal interests, which were numerous. From interviewing Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford for his book on sports medicine to his passion for literature, Fred's intellectual curiosity meant he could hold a conversation with nearly anyone on any topic. His many hobbies and interests included model trains, stamps and coins, freshwater fishing, horseback riding, sports and history.

Fred married Anne, the love of his life, on December 5, 1981, during a blizzard in Boston. In addition to Anne and his immediate family; he is survived by his brother, Marc (Marianne); sister, Sue (Mark); and many loving nieces and nephews.

A private Memorial Service will be held at the Kenny Funeral Home in SHARON, CT, on Saturday, November 16, at 10:00 a.m., followed by Burial at St. Bernard's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the following causes Martha's Vineyard (MV) Museum, 151 Lagoon Pond Road, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, Sharon Historical Society, 18 Main Street, Sharon, CT, 06069 or Charles River School, 6 Old Meadow Road, Dover, MA 02030.

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Published by Boston Globe from Nov. 20 to Nov. 19, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Fred KANTROWITZ

18 Entries

Annie

November 24, 2025

I´m so sorry to learn of Dr. K´s passing. He was tremendously helpful to me, and he´ll be deeply missed.

Caroline

November 14, 2025

When I met Dr K I was a student and after practicing as a doctor I realized Dr K was both a special person and an extraordinary doctor. He practiced medicine in a way that accounted for the entire patient sitting before him. This is a model that I personally try my best to achieve. He is a shining example of what it means to be a doctor. He could pick you up on a bad day and give your thoughtful advice. I know many incredible doctors professional and as a patient but he is one of one. I think about him often. I am so lucky to have met him.

Eileen de Rosas

October 6, 2025

Just learning of Dr. Kantrowitz's passing. Without his help, I would still be living in constant pain. I ended up in his practice when no on else knew what to do with me. His care, thoroughness, and intelligence helped me so much and led to the correct treatment. His ability to evaluate a situation and exhaust all avenues is extremely rare. He was also kind, funny, and a good conversationalist. He is missed.

Martha Shea Smith

July 12, 2025

Just learned of Dr. Kantrowitz passing. He was a real help to me as a wonderful listener, brilliant diagnostician, old school thorough physician. Appreciate him.

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John Ryan

February 3, 2025

Fred was an amazing person, happy, kind, generous and thoughtful . The kind of person all of us would want in a friend . He was genuine and unique and i for one greatly enjoyed spending time with him and hearing his stories of growing up in Brooklyn and talking about baseball and sports in general. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him

Jen Cookke

January 2, 2025

My sincere condolences to you all. Fred was my physician who became a dear friend. I know no other physician who was as caring, curious, committed and honorable as Fred was. I learned a significant amount from our conversations that have been an important part of who I am today.
His contribution to his patients and legacy of kindness and care will live on forever. What a tremendous legacy he leaves.
With much love,
Jen Cookke

Lisa Wilson

December 31, 2024

With Sincere condolences to Dr. Kantrowitz family.
Dr. K was a life saver for me. His kind and gentle approach as a Doctor is more than a patient can ask for. He will be truly missed by me. Words can not express the amazing Doctor that he was.

With sympathy,
Lisa Wilson

Jeanne Papa

December 14, 2024

My heart aches that Dr. K has passed. I was a young patient with arthritis and he was my young doctor when he first treated me 50 years ago. It´s hard to put into words how much his care shaped my life. My deepest condolences to his beloved family. We have lost a truly great man.

Julie Cohen

December 12, 2024

I was Dr. Kantrowitz's patient for better than 10 years. He was the greatest physician in the world and also an absolute wonderful person. We would always find time to share stories of his family and life experiences at my appointments, especially if he didn't have another patient right after mine. The loss is very difficult to accept. I will miss him SO much. I send much love and strength to his family and friends. Dr. K was a wonderful man and very knowledgeable rheumatologist. I will never be able to replace his care. Julie Cohen - patient.

Julie Cohen

Planted Trees

Sandra Suchoff

December 11, 2024

I am so very sorry to hear about Dr K´s passing. He was one of the kindest souls on this earth. He was always willing to help me or anyone in my family when they were ill. He is irreplaceable. I will miss him but feel extremely blessed to have experienced his kindness.

Jeanne Waldmiller

December 10, 2024

Dr. K was the kindest and most compassionate doctor I ever knew. He not only treated my symptoms but also cared what was going on in my life to help him with a thorough diagnosis. I will miss him dearly. He was like family to me. It will be impossible to replace him as a doctor. I can´t imagine how hard it is going to be to find such a knowledgeable doctor. My heart aches for his family and those lives he touched. I know that I will never forget him.

Eric Brass

Planted Trees

Anne W

November 25, 2024

I am so very sorry for your loss. Dr. Kantrowitz was the kindest provider and person I have ever met. Ten years ago he saved my life, he was the one doctor who knew what to do and treated me with tremendous knowledge and compassion. I loved chatting with him and hearing his fascinating stories about his life and his family whom he had so much pride. I will be forever grateful for him and he will be missed.

Eileen Grenier

November 23, 2024

I loved Dr. K. I am absolutely heartbroken over his passing. But I feel very privileged having known him for over 30 plus years. He was a man of kindness and patience. He was an excellent listener, brilliant diagnostician and a marvelous storyteller! He loved sharing his ideas on sports, politics, history, model trains but most of all, stories about those delightful grandchildren. He was always in amazement of them and his pride in his family was evident in every story shared. He will be sorely missed.

Sue

November 22, 2024

I refer to him as the Physician Whisperer...I felt so sick and within an hour; he said, I know what is wrong...I was thinking I was crazy - he was a healer & beyond ~ he'll be missed by oh so many ~

Annette Pechenick

November 19, 2024

I've been a long-time patient of Fred's and he loved to talk, talk about children, grandchildren, politics, traveling across country, and oh yeah, medicine. He was thorough and sweet in his practice and I will sorely miss him. He always knew how to make things better and for this I am eternally grateful! What a mensch!