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.