Burton "Buddy" Chandler

WORCESTER - Burton (Buddy) Chandler died on Saturday, April 15, 2023. He was born on April 12, 1934, the son of Samuel Oscar Chandler and Eunice Beatrice (Silverman) Chandler. Almost to the day he was born he was given the name “Buddy” or “Bud” and he retained those names successfully for his entire life including the social, professional and other aspects of his life and lifestyle.

Buddy was a lifelong resident of Worcester, Massachusetts. He truly loved the city. He died of many illnesses, most of which were incurable, and he navigated through these illnesses quietly and calmly for many years. Bud attended Worcester Public Schools through his sophomore year at the former Classical High School. He then attended Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, NH, graduating in 1952. After that he enrolled in Harvard College from which he graduated cum laude in 1956 and after that from Harvard Law School, class of 1959.

According to Buddy, he made the best and most crucial decision of his life when he was in college and in law school; he met and wooed and kidnapped the girl that he loved and married, and who would ultimately become President of the Massachusetts State Senate. He literally met her during her first day at Wellesley College. He said then, and he said until the day he died, that his wife Harriette (Harlee) nee Levy, was the “Best of the Best” and he loved her dearly. They were married when she graduated from Wellesley College, and he received his law degree from Harvard law School. Together they had three children: Frank, Victoria (Kenneth Silver) and Edward (Cindy Ng). They have four grandchildren: Eva and Nathan Chandler and Matthew and Peter Silver.

After graduation from law school, Bud commenced his legal practice by becoming an associate with the law firm in Worcester of Seder & Seder. He became a partner, the first non-family member to become a partner, and the name was changed to Seder & Chandler. He never thought that he would be in the same firm for 60 years. His legal career was successful and in the 1970s and 1980s, he was the leading, if not the only, civil rights lawyer in Worcester.

He had many hobbies and enjoyed vacations at their Ogunquit, Maine vacation home with family and friends. Perhaps Bud’s foremost qualities were his wit, charm, and his loyalty to friends. It was said that anybody who became a friend of Bud’s would be a friend for life. And that was true.

Bud’s family would like to extend the deepest and warmest feelings and love to Mary Githiji, a professional health care aide, and his aide from 2015. The family also gives the same gratitude to Winnie, Pauline and Charles who often substituted for Mary.

Funeral services will be held at Temple Emanuel Sinai, 661 Salisbury St., Worcester on Tuesday, April 18 at 11:00am. The service will be livestreamed and available for viewing at this link: https://boxcast.tv/view/burton-buddy-chandler-funeral-xujobbgoan9mtrbd8wyx

Interment follows at B’nai B’rith cemetery. Arrangements are in the care of Richard Perlman, Miles Funeral Home, Holden.

Shiva will be held at Temple Emanuel Sinai, 661 Salisbury St., Worcester, Tuesday, April 18 from 3pm – 6pm and at the Salisbury West Club House, 770 Salisbury St., Worcester on Wednesday, and Thursday 4:00pm – 6:00pm.

Contributions may be made to the Temple Emanuel Sinai General Fund, 661 Salisbury St., Worcester, MA 01608, or the American Civil Liberties Union.