Yale Hirshberg

1930 - 2017

Yale A. Hirshberg, DDS, 87

WEBSTER - Yale A. Hirshberg, DDS, age 87, of Webster (formerly of Worcester) died on Monday July 31, 2017 at the Massachusetts General Hospital after a short illness. Born in Worcester on May 23, 1930 he was the son of Samuel and Sarah (Allentuch) Hirshberg.

He leaves his loving wife Roberta "Bobbie" (Mann) Hirshberg of almost 58 years; a son Scott M. Hirshberg of Attleboro, MA and his companion; a son Dr. Steven J. Hirshberg and his wife Jane of Elkins Park, PA; daughter Amy N. Huff wife of Richard (Rick) Huff of Franklin, MA; granddaughter Marion Z. Hirshberg of New York City; granddaughter Isabel "Izzy" W. Hirshberg of Elkins Park, PA; and two grandsons Jason W. Huff and Alex M. Huff of Franklin, MA. He also leaves a sister Gloria Katz of Fairfield, CT and his brother-in-law Dr. Charles Mann of Chestnut Hill, MA.

A graduate of Classical High School, Dr. Hirshberg furthered his education at Clark University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1952. He then served in the U.S. Army Medical Service during the Korean War. Following discharge he attended New York University College of Dentistry and graduated in 1959. He received the Irwin Raymond Thall Memorial Award presented to the senior student who, in the opinion of the faculty, had shown the most promise in clinical dentistry. He continued his education with a 3-year Oral Surgery residency at Boston City Hospital and Tufts University School of Dental Medicine from 1959 - 1962. Dr. Hirshberg practiced Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Worcester, MA for 37 years with Dr. Leo I. Berg and later with Dr. Earle R. Halsband. Dr. Hirshberg served as president and secretary of the New England Society of Oral Surgeons and was recognized as being a 50-year member of the Massachusetts Dental Society. He was on staff at the Worcester Hahnemann, Fairlawn, St. Vincents, and Worcester Memorial hospitals. He was chief of Oral Surgery at Hahnemann Hospital and a member of many committees. He served on the Interspecialty Medical Advisory Committee for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.

Dr. Hirshberg was a strong supporter of his religious and local communities. He was a member of Temple Emanuel and later Temple Emanuel Sinai in Worcester, being an active member of their brotherhood. He also belonged to the B'nai Brith Commonwealth Lodge and was a life member of the Phi Alpha fraternity and Alpha Omega Dental fraternity. Dr. Hirshberg was Chairman of the Recycling Commission for the Town of Webster and a member of the Jewish War Veterans Post #32. He belonged to the Webster Lake Association, the Beth Israel (Worcester) Brotherhood.

Dr. Hirshberg was also an avid tennis player and frequently attended activities at the Foothills Theater and the Worcester Art Museum. Later in life, he was active at his winter home at Platina in Boynton Beach, FL where he participated in many social and arts clubs. He developed a love for ceramics where he was able to cultivate this passion.

Although known for his life accomplishments, Yale will best be remembered as the man who could do anything, build anything, and fix anything. These passions were secondary only to the love he dedicated to his wife, children and grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at Temple Emanuel Sinai, 661 Salisbury St, Worcester, MA 01609 on Tuesday August 1, 2017 at 10AM followed by interment at Worcester B'nai Brith Cemetery, 55 Saint John's Road, Worcester, Massachusetts. MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.

Donations can be made in his memory to the Jewish Healthcare Center, 629 Salisbury St, Worcester, MA 01609 or Temple Emanuel Sinai, 661 Salisbury St, Worcester, MA 01609.