…World Renown Sculptor; 92
TEWKSBURY - Mr. Mico Kaufman, age 92, a World Renown Monumental and Numismatic Sculptor, who’s life works can be found on four continents, died peacefully on Monday evening, December 12, at Lowell General Hospital after a brief illness, with his life companion, best friend, and business partner, Elsie (Haas) Howell at his side.
Mico was born in Buzeu, Romania in January, 1924. The accounts of his time spent in concentration camps, and escape from the Nazi occupation forces during WWII were epic. Mico emigrated to the United States in 1951 and settled in his modest home and studio on a quiet street in Tewksbury in 1961.
Mico was educated at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, and the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, Italy. His sculpting talent was primarily focused on Numismatic Art, both Coin and Medal. He was a Fellow in the National Sculpture Society, and a Fellow in the American Numismatic Society, and member of the American Medallic Sculpture Association. His works are in the permanent collections of both the New York and Colorado Springs museums of the American Numismatic Society, The British Museum in London, U.K., and The Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. His one-man and invitational exhibits for La Fédération International De La Médaille had been held in Finland, Poland, Hungary, Portugal, Italy, and Sweden; and the American Numismatic Society Retrospectives for him were held in London and Budapest. Mico produced portrait Busts for such notables as Arthur Fiedler, An Wang, Paul Tsongas, Dr. Patrick Morgan, the founder of Lowell’s National Park; and he completed Medallic Commissions and Presidential and Vice-Presidential Inaugural Medals for Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. Bush, and celebrities like Michael Jackson, Arnold Palmer, and a Dwight Eisenhower Commemorative Medal. His Monumental Commissions can be found in Tewkesbury, U.K., and Greece, and locally. His local Monumental commissions included The Rouses Memorial, Blessed Eugene De Mazenod, McNeil-Whistler, Homage to Women, Claude Debussy, Italia, and Mother Elizabeth Bryere, all in Lowell, King of the Hill in Nashua, NH; Water, WWII Memorial, Wamesit Indian, Muster, and Touching Souls all found in his beloved adopted hometown of Tewksbury.
Regardless of his life-station, Mico retained a very modest demeanor, more comfortable at the Deli-King cafeteria style restaurant than an awards banquet held in his honor. Mico was more at home and thoroughly relaxed at a home-hosted Rotary Club than a gathering and hero’s welcome at Symphony Hall in Boston. Never boastful or bragging about his achievements. Just the opposite, often self-deprecating humor poking fun at and enjoying the ironies of his life.
Regarding his Fine Arts work, Mico has said: “If you should notice one of my public sculptures, I would like you to stop and ponder on its subject. The pause might refresh, inform, or even inspire. My work reflects on the bonds that substantiate our humanity.”
Besides his best friend Elsie, Mico leaves three children, Adele Morris and her husband David of Maryland, Arthur Kaufman of R.I., and Emile Kaufman of Dracut; and was predeceased by his brother Ionel Kaufman and sister Liza Smilovici.
At his insistence, Funeral Services are private. Anyone wishing to make a memorial tribute, may choose their favorite charity. Arrangements were provided by Tewksbury Funeral Home. Visit: www.tewksburyfuneralhome.com