Task-Altman, Ethel, 1898-1982

Frank Altman (June 25, 1897-October 13, 1990)

Frank Altman (FA) was born on June 25, 1897 in Newark, New Jersey to Nathan and Fanny Altman. When FA was a child, the family moved to Boston, where Nathan owned a grocery store. A veteran of World War I, FA enlisted in the Navy on August 12, 1918 as an Electrician/Landsman, and was discharged from active duty as a Landsman/Aviation/ Quartermaster in Charlestown, South Carolina on October 7, 1918. On June 15, 1920, he married Ethel Task in Dorchester, Massachusetts. In the first years of their marriage, Frank worked as a mechanic with Ford Motor Company, until his father-in-law helped him acquire a garage in Brookline, which operated until 1929. He then went to work for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company as an insurance agent until his retirement at age 65. During World War II, Frank served as a Technical Sergeant in the 3rd Battalion Headquarters, 26th Infantry of the State Guard of Massachusetts. An active member of Temple Mishkan Tefila and later, Temple Emeth, Frank also volunteered for the Jewish Memorial Hospital. FA died on October 13, 1990.

Ethel Task Altman (October 7, 1898-May 1982)

Ethel Task Altman (ETA) was born in the South End of Boston on October 7, 1898. Her father, Phillip, was a Russian immigrant, and her mother, Mamie, was from Poland. Phillip Task owned a Tailor’s shop on Washington Street in Boston with his father and brother. ETA was a high school and business school graduate. She was an active volunteer with the City of Hope organization, the American Jewish Congress, and the Sisterhood of Temple Emeth. ETA died in May 1982.

Barbara Altman Spiewak (February 11, 1923-November 9, 2005)

Frank and Ethel’s daughter, Barbara Altman Spiewak (BAS), was born on February 11, 1923. As a child, her family moved from Dorchester, Massachusetts to Roxbury, Massachusetts, where she attended the William Lloyd Garrison Grammar School. BAS graduated from the Girls’ Latin School in Boston, Massachusetts in 1940, and went on to get a Bachelor of Science in Library Science from Simmons College, graduating in 1944. Her first job was the Boston Public Library, and in 1946 she became the assistant librarian at the Simmons School of Social Work. Later librarian positions included those at the Massachusetts Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, Beth Israel Hospital, Grahm Junior College and Forsyth Dental School. After a brief courtship, BAS married Murray Spiewak (1906-1985) on December 10, 1972. They had no children together, although Murray had children from his first marriage. BAS died in 2005.

Stanley Altman (January 13, 1927-November 24, 1956)

FA and ETA’s son Stanley (SA) was born on January 13, 1927. He graduated from Boys’ Latin School in Boston and later from Bowdoin College with a Bachelor of Arts in 1947. SA died suddenly from a heart condition while studying Judaic Studies as a graduate student at Columbia University in New York City in 1956.

• June 25, 1897: Frank Altman (FA) born in Newark, New Jersey, to Nathan and Fanny Altman.
• October 7, 1898: Ethel Task [Altman] (ETA) born in the South End of Boston to Philip and Mamie Task.
• August 12, 1918: FA enlists in the United States Navy.
• October 7, 1918: FA discharged from the United States Navy.
• June 15, 1920: FA and ETA marry.
• February 11, 1923: Barbara Altman [Spiewak] (BAS) born.
• January 13, 1927: Stanley Altman (SA) born.
• 1940: BAS graduates from Girls’ Latin School, Boston, Massachusetts.
• 1944: BAS graduates from Simmons College, Boston, Massachusetts.
• 1947: SA graduates from Bowdoin College.
• November 24, 1956: SA dies while studying at Columbia University in New York City.
• December 10, 1972: BAS marries Murray Spiewak.
• May 1982: ETA dies.
• 1985: Murray Spiewak dies.
• October 13, 1990: FA dies.
• November 9, 2005: BAS dies.

From the guide to the Altman Spiewak Families, Papers, Undated, 1920-1985, (American Jewish Historical Society)