Steven Michael Shufro

Steven Michael Shufro passed away Saturday, October 5, 2024 at home surrounded by his family. He was 80. Originally from Chicago, Steve lived in Newton, MA for more than 50 years with his wife Pamela Reed Shufro.

Steve will be remembered as the rock to his immediate and extended family, always lightening serious conversations with a joke and an infectious smile. Steve lived his life guided by his strong family and community values. He found joy hiking in nature with his family and friends, and cherished time with his children and grandchildren.

Steve grew up a middle child in Chicago and graduated from Hyde Park High School in 1962. He then left home to attend Reed College in Portland, OR. After graduation he served as a VISTA volunteer in New York City. Steve went on to earn a masters in city planning at the University of Pennsylvania. It was during his studies in Philadelphia that he met his future wife, Pam. They married on September 18, 1971 in Trenton, NJ and a year later moved to Boston, where Steve began his long and accomplished career in health care.

Over the course of more than 35 years Steve held a number of important positions including serving as Assistant Commissioner for Health Regulation and Planning at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Steve retired in 2009 from Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates (now Atrius Health), as the Vice President of Operations. His career in health care was a reflection of Steve's strongly held belief in contributing to the betterment of society.

Pam and Steve enjoyed travelling, a passion they imparted to their children. For their honeymoon, Pam and Steve camped in the south of France, where Pam explored her passion for art, and Steve shared his affinity for the outdoors. As a family, Pam, Steve, and their children hiked many of the national parks and travelled throughout Europe.

In retirement Steve was an active community volunteer. Despite limitations imposed by his long bout with Parkinson's disease, he remained curious as an active reader of history and politics and an enthusiastic participant in two singing groups.
Steve is survived by his son Matthew Reed Shufro, and his daughter Gwendolyn Reed Shufro, his children-in-law Karina Calheiros and Jonathan Scott Bauer, and his two grandchildren, Julia Madison Bauer and Jacob Aaron Bauer. Steve is also survived by his sister, Libbie Shufro, of Jamaica Plain, Boston, and her husband, Don West; and his brother, Joel Shufro, of Brooklyn, New York, and his wife Carol Steinsapir, and their daughter, Debbie Shufro.
A memorial will be set at a later date in Newton, Massachusetts. Interment will be at the Newton Cemetery. For anyone wishing to honor his memory, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice.