Louis Kerlinsky

Louis (Lou) Kerlinsky passed away on March 30, 2025, in Springfield, Massachusetts. He was born on April 16, 1927 to Sarah (Okun) Kerlin and Isaac Kerlin and grew up on Hebron Street surrounded by a large and loving family, including his parents, sisters Shirley, Goldie, and Mary, grandmother, grandfather, uncles, aunts and cousins. At age 17, during WW II, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Army Special Training Program and in Germany during the Allied Occupation. During the summer of 1947, he met the love of his life, Norma Saxe, at the Breakers Hotel in Atlantic City where he was a busboy and she was a waitress. They wed in 1948 while he was a student at the University of Chicago and she was student at the University of Cincinnati and were blessed with a long and loving marriage that spanned more than 76 years.
Inspired by the Torah commandment, Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdoff (Justice, Justice shall you pursue), Lou graduated from Yale Law School and opened his own law firm where helping the poor, disadvantaged and injured individuals recover just compensation was particularly important in his eyes. He was a brilliant and tenacious trial lawyer, never afraid to take on a difficult case, advance a novel theory, or establish new law on appeal. He walked to synagogue every Shabbat well into his 90’s and inspired many people with his devotion to and knowledge of Judaism. He was instrumental in building the first orthodox synagogue in Longmeadow. Lou loved the outdoors, the water, and spending time with his family at their lakehouse in the Berkshires.
Most of all, Lou loved his family. He travelled across the globe to attend weddings, graduations, and bar or bat mitzvahs. Lou is predeceased by his wife Norma and will be deeply missed by his children Deborah (Alan) Tipermas, Daniel (Alicia) Kerlinsky, Susan Kerlinsky, Nathan Kerlinsky, and Jo (Charles) Levy, sister Mary Ihilchik, grandchildren Jonathan (Becky) Tipermas, Michael Tipermas, Rebecca (Aytan) Goodman, Rachel Tipermas, Kochava Ayoun, Lily (Zvi) Marcus, Daniel Kerlinsky Anderson, Neshamah Kerlinsky, Joseph “Joey” Kerlinsky, Isabelle Levy, Carolyn Levy, Benjamin Levy, and Isaac Levy, great-grandchildren Eva, Nathan, Jacob, Zachary, Nadav, Kedem, and Siona, and many nieces and nephews.
Gifts in memory of Lou Kerlinsky may be sent to the Jewish National Fund or Congregation B’nai Torah.