Sydney Helfen

Syd was foremost a family man. He was also an outdoorsman, a craftsman, an adventurer, a dentist, and a paragon of kindness and decency. He was joined at the hip with Roslyn. When his joy overflowed, his laughter (and insanely loud whistle) could be heard for miles. Through his children, his grandchildren, and his great grandchildren to come, Syd’s goodness and loving spirit will endure.


Syd was born in Newton, MA, on July 24, 1943, the son of Eli and Doris Helfen. He attended college at Boston University and joined the Army in 1967, before being honorably discharged into the reserves to study dentistry at NYU. It was in 1968, while a student at NYU, that he met Roslyn, the Adelphi nursing student who would become the love of his life. After graduating, he served as an army dentist for two years in Fort Hood, Texas. During this time, his son Eric was born in 1973.


Syd and Roslyn eventually settled in Westfield, NJ, where Tuvia was born in 1977. In Westfield they connected with a strong community, prioritized family time and raised their sons among life long friends. They were a family of campers and canoers, exploring the woodlands and rivers of the northeast with their beloved poodle Samson. To all who knew them, they were an example of the very best a loving family can be. Their home became home to friends as well as the entire extended family; a place of warmth, sanctuary, and convalescence.


In 2018, Syd and Roslyn moved to Easthampton, MA, to live near their son, Rabbi Tuvia Helfen of Northampton, and his family.


In lieu of flowers, please direct your generosity to one or more of these organizations:
•
• The Michael J. Fox
• Foundation for Parkinson's Research
•
• Cooley Dickinson VNA
• & Hospice
•
• Chabad of Northampton

Shiva information:
Yisroel Ben Eliyahu Halevi
64 South St. Easthampton
Unit 3
*Sunday night*
Mincha/Maariv 7:45pm
*Mon-Friday morning*
8am-11am and 5pm-8:30pm
Shachrit Minyan 8am daily
Mincha/Maariv 7:45pm daily
Park in lot or Ely St.
Do not Park on South.