Joel S. Geller of Brockton, Mashpee, and Delray Beach, FL died peacefully on July 20, 2025. He was two weeks shy of his 85th birthday. Joel was married to the late Marilyn (Freeman) Geller, and was the father of two children, Sherri and Steven. He also leaves behind his partner, Leona Linsky, and his sister Karen Levine and her husband Russell. He had been the brother of the late Sandra Geller Bloom, and he is also survived by two sisters-in-law and several nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Born in Boston, Joel attended Maimonides School, Roxbury Memorial High School, Newton Junior College and Boston University. A medic in the US Army Reserve, he then became a successful businessman, owning and managing Abington Liquors for 33 years. He also served on the Board of the Abington Savings Bank and held real estate properties in Abington. A lifelong athlete, Joel played football, basketball, golf, pickleball and other sports; he excelled at basketball at the Hecht House, won a championship while serving in the Army at Fort Sam Houston, and was a star at Newton Junior College. He liked to recall how during a scrimmage, he once “stuffed” former Boston Celtic Togo Palazzi.
Joel was very active in many communities and was a beloved and generous volunteer and leader. A member of Temple Beth Emunah for over 40 years, he was Chair of the Long-Range Planning Committee and a member of the Temple Brotherhood. He was also on the Board of Directors of Brockton Hospital, and President of both the Hancock School and the West Junior High School Parent Advisory Committees. A Rotarian for over 50 years, he was president twice of the Abington Rotary Club and was honored to be named a Paul Harris Fellow. He also served for several years on the board of BARC, which supports children with intellectual disabilities. On Cape Cod, he served as President of the Pinewood Village Condo Association, and in Florida, he served as president of his Normandy L building in Delray Beach.
Funeral services will take place at 12:00PM, Wednesday, July 23rd at Schlossberg Family’s Chapel on the Hill, 824 Washington Street, Canton, MA. Shiva will follow on Wednesday night from 6:00-9:00PM, Thursday from 1:00-4:00PM, and Thursday 6:00-9:00 PM at the Werb home in Brockton. Shiva will continue on Friday from 2:00-5:00PM at the home of Marlene Marsh in Mashpee.
Since Jewish education and land conservation efforts have always been important to the Geller family, in lieu of flowers, donations in Joel’s memory may be made to Gann Academy, Maimonides School, Harwich Conservation Trust, or to the charity of your choice.
May his memory be a blessing.
Joel S. Geller Funeral Service
Zoom Link (see below)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5288320605?pwd=dVFjQlUzWmVDYmFhVGwwZkNVSXBLQT09&omn=84922545485
will be activated at 11:45AM
(15 minutes prior to the start of the service)
As a courtesy to the Geller family and all of their relatives, it is imperative that upon entry into Zoom, kindly ensure that your microphone is properly muted, so as to not affect the audio or video stream.
~Thank You~
1 Condolence for Joel S. Geller
Condolence(1)
Bernie Grossman Thousand Oaks CA says
July 22, 2025 at 12:09 pmI am a friend from way back to the YMHA-Hecht House era…
My sincere condolences to the family of this true Mensch.
Joe certainly left his legacy on his community.
His memory and accomplishments will not be forgotten.
RIP, friend.