Lee Shulman died on August 25.  Lee was our landlord for many years.  My first partner Kurt and I met him when we visited his office to inquire about renting what has been our only home here at 899 Main Street.  Lee’s offices were then located above a Greek pizzeria in an old and old-fashioned building across from The Christian Science Center.  Boston childens’ television host Rex Trailer had an office in the building.  Lew Archer or Sam Spade would have been comfortable in both the building and the neighborhood.

Over the years Toscanini’s prospered as Lee’ tenant.  He became our insurance agent and we worked with each of his three sons, Bill, Steve and Ken.  Today Hundreds of friends mourned Lee at his funeral at Temple Emanuel in Newton.  Each of his sons spoke well about their father. I learned that Lee had been born in East Boston, and left an hour early for school so he could fight his way to class.  He served in Europe during World War 2.   Ken described him as being illogically extreme in his moderation about all things except for his love for his wife.

He believed that nothing improved without effort.  He was ten minutes early to at least one meeting every day and the habit added years to his life.  His son Ken has written about sports of every kind and described his Dad as playing “small ball”, the term for baseball that features singles and execution of fundamentals.  His exemplary life  filled a large building with mourners.  He did a great deal to help us and our family shares the Shulman’s loss.