It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Michael Arthur Shain (February 10, 1947 – November 2, 2026), who passed suddenly from a tragic accident. Michael was deeply committed to his family, and a loving husband to his wife Lesley for 47 years – they were partners in everything they did. Michael was kind to everyone, and a man who treated life and people with respect and demanded others do the same. For him, the most important thing was your word, and he always kept his.
Michael was raised in West Roxbury by his parents, Susan and Chet (Samuel) Shain. Always curious and wanting to try new things, he attended Boston (then called Boys) Latin School and continued his studies as a History major at Northeastern University.
Afterwards he began what would be a decades-long career as a small business owner by opening the Dili Deli, a food stand outside of Fenway Park. He interrupted his business with a change of life trip to Israel, moving there with his family for a year. When he returned to Canton, he went into the liquor business with his uncle. He was the proud owner of numerous liquor stores, never staying in one store too long – once he achieved success in a store, he would move on. His last liquor store was TriTown Liquors in Canton, at Cobb’s Corner. If you asked him, he always insisted that “he still didn’t know what he wanted to be when he grew up” but knew that he didn’t want to work for anybody else. He always did things his way.
Judaism was a central part of Michael’s life, and he was an active member of Temple Beth Abraham in Canton, where he served as President, and most recently was a committed member at Congregation Ahavath Torah in Stoughton, where he found solitude and peace in the weekly Shabbat morning services. He was a deeply religious man and lived his life enmeshed in the Jewish community. He was always spending time with his family and his community on holidays throughout the year. He was a member of the Sharon Men’s Club, and enjoyed going bowling on Mondays and laughing at himself, and on Tuesdays he attended their very varied meetings. You could often find him at Bible Study at Temple Sinai on Saturdays or studying with Rabbi Jay and his chevrusa from kollel, Rabbi Gedalya Jeremias.
Most important was his love and devotion to his children and grandchildren. He and Lesley would drive all over to see baseball, hockey and soccer games, track and choir and emergency driving for school and activities. He always brought his calm demeanor with him wherever he went. He believed family came first, but Michael was always kind, not only to his family but to friends and strangers alike. Nothing was ever too much for him.
Michael was rarely angry, but the few times he was was when he felt there was a lack of respect. He believed his word was important and once you gave it, you needed to follow through.
Michael was always showing up wherever you needed him. A dedicated and reliable parent, grandparent, friend, community leader, business partner, and so much more, he was always there for people and put the needs of his family before his own. If you needed something, you just had to ask, and if you didn’t ask, he’d probably do it for you anyway, and also bring along a few other things you didn’t know you even needed that he just happened to pick up “the other day” and had in his basement.
He was a member of several choirs over the years, and loved to sing anywhere and play the piano. He also loved floating in his pool and playing in the pool with his grandchildren. He never envied – he was a man who was happy with his lot. He looked forward to his trip to the mailbox every day.
Michael believed in shalom bayit, and in the importance of the people in his life more than things. He believed life wasn’t about what you were doing, but who you were doing it with. He believed you could always get mad at everything, but he would choose not to. He always pursued justice, peace, and the happiness of others. Michael lived a life of principle with an ease and a genuine humility that will forever be an inspiration to all who knew him. A beloved husband, father and grandpa, Michael is deeply missed by his wife Lesley, and his four children and their spouses: Adam Shain (and Michelle) of Sharon, Melanie Login (and Adam) of Cromwell, CT, Daniel Shain (and Caitlin Golden) of Sharon, Deborah Worthington (and Dustin) of Natick. Along with his 12 grandchildren: David, Elizabeth, Abigail, Zachary, Dylan, Ryder, Ari, Colin, Noah, Kian, Finn and Remi.
The funeral will be held at Temple Ahavath Torah in Stoughton at 10:00 AM on Thursday, November 5th, with shiva immediately following the burial.
Donations in Michael’s honor can be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or Ahavath Torah Congregation in Stoughton.
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