Obituary Contributor
Bruce Rosenblum, 64, died Dec. 13, 2023, after living with ALS for 6 ½ years.
Prior to moving to Somerville several years ago, Bruce was a long-time resident of Belmont and Phippsburg, Maine. Bruce was a member of the Belmont High School Class of 1977, where he was a photographer for Highpoint, the student newspaper. This began his lifelong interest in photojournalism. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1981, where he served on the staff of the Daily Pennsylvanian.
After graduation, his energy, curiosity, and interest in photography led to world travels, including stints in India and Israel. He married Irina Golfman in 1994, and they continued traveling, honeymooning in Sicily, touring the Caribbean, and skiing Colorado and New England. They continued to travel the world after their son, Aaron, was born in 1997, which is also when Bruce joined Inera, the company Irina founded.
Inera, based in Belmont for many years, became a leading developer of tools and services in the scientific, medical, and academic publishing fields, and Bruce rose to be recognized worldwide as a leading authority on publishing tools and workflows. He continued working for Wiley, Inera’s successor company, until the day before his final hospitalization.
Bruce was a friend to many in the Belmont community, including schoolmates, neighbors, and the members of Beth El Temple Center’s Brotherhood organization. He was known as a kind, intelligent, curious man with a wicked sense of humor.
Bruce refused to be defined or limited by ALS. In addition to his work, he continued to visit his beloved home in Phippsburg, Maine, where he particularly enjoyed the spectacular view of the water from the deck. Since his ALS diagnosis in 2017, he worked unceasingly toward advancing ALS research and treatments. He participated in every clinical trial and study he could, shared his input with trial coordinators and medical students on ALS patient perspectives, and created ALS resources for publication. Bruce and his care team at Massachusetts General Hospital shared a mutual love and respect.
Besides his wife, Irina Golfman Rosenblum, Bruce is survived by his step-son and son Jeff (Melissa), and Aaron. Bruce was an adoring grandfather to Evan, Hannah, and Caleb. Bruce is also survived by his mother Sandra Rosenblum and sister Laurie Rosenblum.
Donations in Bruce’s honor can be made to Compassionate Care ALS, or the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Services have been held.
