David Alex Oppenheim, 77, longtime Medfield MA resident, passed away on December 11, 2020 surrounded by his beloved wife and daughter. David is survived by his wife of 36 years, Judith Kruntorad of Medfield MA, daughter Cheryl Mazzoli (Christopher) of Birmingham, MI, granddaughters Amanda and Sarah Mazzoli of Birmingham, MI, sister Judy Olinick (Michael) of Middlebury VT, and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.
David was born in Detroit, MI to the late Joseph and Florence (Elconin) Oppenheim. He attended Detroit and Oak Park MI schools. He was on the track team and played clarinet in the All Detroit High School Orchestra. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics. He also received Master’s degrees in both Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin.
Dave worked as a computer software engineer throughout his career starting with UNIVAC Defense Systems in Eagan, MN. He moved to Massachusetts to work for MITRE Corporation in Bedford MA and subsequently worked for many of the high profile Boston area software companies. In his spare time, he taught computer programming language classes for Northeastern University’s nighttime program.
Dave had many hobbies and interests. He was passionate about photography and was a proud member of the Art Guild of the Kennebunks in Maine. Dave had a keen sense of humor. He took standup comedy classes and performed at clubs in Cambridge and Somerville. He was a gourmet cook and good friend to butchers and chefs throughout the entire Boston area. He took great pleasure in preparing Thanksgiving dinners with his daughter, Cheryl, and granddaughters, Amanda and Sarah, in their Michigan home and Christmas dinners with Judy for her family in Nebraska. He was a wine connoisseur having accumulated at one time an enviable collection of Bordeaux wines from the 1980s. He loved to do the daily New York Times crossword puzzle and enjoyed doing it together with his wife, Judy. It became a favorite pastime of theirs during the pandemic. Dave liked reading Stephen King books and watching scary movies especially “House of Wax” starring Vincent Price.
Dave was a well-known persona around Medfield. After his retirement, he volunteered for several years for the Meals on Wheels program. He starred in Medfield Cable TV’s “Fun for Foodies” cooking program. He taught cooking classes and cooked and served the annual St Patrick’s Day dinner for several years at the Medfield Senior Center. Recently Dave provided a favorite recipe each month for publication in the Medfield Senior Center newsletter. When Brothers Market opened, he sought a position there cooking and handing out free samples of his cooking and recipes every Thursday and Friday evening.
Dave and his wife, Judy, loved to travel and together they extensively explored the USA as well as numerous countries around the world. They were also lovers of the arts and long-time patrons of the Boston Symphony and Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
Dave was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, sibling, uncle and cousin. He was very humble and took pride in his family members’ accomplishments. He will be sorely missed by all.
The family requests that any memorial donations be made in Dave’s name to the Medfield Senior Center (FOSI) where Dave experienced a sense of community and joy. You can make a tax-deductible contribution by sending a check, made payable to FOSI, to The Center at Medfield, 1 Ice House Road, Medfield MA, 02052, or call The Center at 508-359-3665.