Died April 18, 1939 – March 11, 2008
College: Branford
Major: Political Science
Graduate School: Harvard University, J.D., Harvard Law School, 1964
Widow: Ms. Marsha Cohen Roth
415 L Ambience Drive
Apartment. 202
Longboat Key, FL 34228-3909
941-383-5975 (Phone and Fax)
mcr4228@gmail.com
Children: Rebecca, 1963; Sarah Roth Goldblatt, 1965; Alexander, 1966; Abigail, 1968
Grandchildren: Jack Roth, 1996; Joshua Goldblatt, 1998; Max Roth, 1998; Hannah Goldblatt, 1999; Jessie Goldblatt, 2002; Helen Roth, 2002; Emma Goldblatt, 2004
From early on, Peter possessed special qualities that remained with him throughout his life: an inner compass that guided his actions; determination to reach his goals; concern for other people; the ability to relate to others; kindness, sensitivity, intelligence, charm, enthusiasm and charisma. He was a natural leader to whom others looked up. His passing left a big hole in the lives of many, and especially me and our family.
Peter was an attorney and for nearly all his career he practiced at Bulkley Richardson and Gelinas in Springfield, Massachusetts. His illness forced him to retire in late 2005. At BRG he became an important partner, and he developed a major practice in corporate and family law. His skill and dedication in his field were renowned in both the local community and the Commonwealth. Peter cared passionately about his clients and their situations, and he fought for them with determination, intelligence and care. He vigorously pursued every detail, and he achieved great success. Consequently, he was able to select only the clients whose cases interested him, and his passion for his work increased as he grew older. I believe that Peter relished the intellectual challenge and that he derived great satisfaction knowing that he had significantly improved the lives of others.
Peter also knew how to relax and how to have a good time. He enjoyed friends and parties. He liked following and discussing politics. He enjoyed watching sports on television and on location, especially Red Sox games, and he played several sports very competitively: squash, his favorite; tennis; softball; and golf, which he rediscovered at sixty after a hiatus of about thirty years. He also liked travel, and we took many happy trips, often to destinations where our children and grandchildren or my mother-in-law were at a particular time or where a ’61 mini-reunion was taking place.
Peter loved and cared about his family most of all. He believed that raising our children was the most significant work of his life. He was a loving and attentive husband, father and son. He phoned his mother nearly every day and when we were to be abroad, he always made sure that one of our children would be checking in on her. Peter was the steady presence, listening intently and offering wise counsel during difficult times. He was also the playful shark in the swimming pool during family vacations in Florida. He encouraged our children and me to challenge ourselves, and he celebrated our successes with great enthusiasm (and sometimes with embellishment). Peter took enormous joy in his seven grandchildren, and I regret that they will miss out on his love, his sound judgement and the fun of just being with him. But he was a strong and positive force in the lives of our children and me, and his presence will continue through us.
—by Marsha Roth
Obituary:
Peter Roth 1939-2008 LONGBOAT KEY, FL – Peter Roth, 68, died on March 11th at his home in Longboat Key, Florida after a four year battle against brain cancer and the side effects of its treatment. For 40 years, Mr. Roth practiced law in Springfield, Massachusetts, for 36 years as a partner with Bulkley, Richardson & Gelinas. Prior to that, he was an Assistant Attorney General serving under Edward Brooke, and a law clerk in the Massachusetts Superior Court. Mr. Roth was a frequent lecturer on the topic of family law in conjunction with the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education program, as well as with Suffolk University Law School. He co-authored several articles and papers relevant to the practice of domestic relations law. In the early 1970s, Mr. Roth was appointed by the Massachusetts State Board of Education to serve as the hearing officer for the Springfield School Committee’s racial balance plan. Later in his career, Mr. Roth sat on the Western Massachusetts Pro Bono Referral Advisory Board, where he was recognized for his commitment to representation for low-income and disabled individuals. Acknowledged professionally as an outstanding practitioner in the field of family law, Mr. Roth was a member of the Hampden County, Massachusetts, and American Bar Associations. Mr. Roth was born on April 18, 1939 in New York City, and was raised in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts. He graduated from Classical High School in Springfield, Yale University, and Harvard Law School. He resided in Longmeadow, Massachusetts for 39 years, where he served on the Longmeadow Conservation Commission. He was President of Sinai Temple, a member of its Board, and chairman of its Cemetery Committee. Mr. Roth was an avid fan of squash, tennis, and the Boston Red Sox. Peter is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marsha Cohen Roth, and their four children: Rebecca Roth of New York, New York; Sarah Goldblatt of Sands Point, New York; Alex Roth of London, England; and Abigail Roth of New Haven, Connecticut. Peter is also survived by seven grandchildren, and his brother, Richard Roth, of Longboat Key, Florida. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 14, at Sinai Temple in Springfield, Massachusetts at 12:30 PM with burial in Sinai Memorial Park. The Ascher-Zimmerman Funeral Home is helping the family. Shiva will be observed at 7:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Springfield. Memorial contributions may be made to the Brain Tumor Society, 124 Watertown Street, Suite 3H, Watertown, MA 02472, or to Sinai Temple, 1100 Dickinson Street, Springfield, MA 01108.
Published in The Republican on 3/14/2008