Steven G. Clayman of Boston and Brewster, Massachusetts, with lifelong roots in Chelsea, died on February 3, 2025 at the age of 82. Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of almost 60 years, Nancy (Hedén) Clayman; his daughters, the pride and joy of his life, Amanda Clayman and Alyse Clayman; his sons-in-law, Tom Levenberg and Drew Bulfer, who he loved from day one and mentored in the world of real estate; his adored and adoring grandchildren, Anna and Max Levenberg, Maeve and Riley Bulfer; and his niece, Kate Clayman, and her family.
He treasured his extended family near and far, especially his cousin, Bruce Chase, his nieces and nephews, colleagues and loyal employees, his children’s in-laws and friends, and even his grandchildren’s friends. He enjoyed connecting with those both similar and so different from him sharing many laughs and meaningful conversations, often parting with an “I love you.”
Steve was predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Anne (Novack) Clayman, and his younger brother, Richard. Steve graduated in 1960 from Chelsea High School – a good student, participated in track, and often bragged, especially to his grandson, of attaining very high scores playing basketball, though we doubt the veracity of those memories! Steve furthered his education at Tufts University, class of ’64, where he majored in electrical engineering then Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business, where he achieved his MBA, class of ’66, and met his wife-to-be.
Unlike most of his fellow classmates at Tuck School, Steve followed his dream of entrepreneurship, building businesses, first in the evolving computer industry and later in executive recruitment. For most of his career, Steve partnered with his brother in real estate development having lunch, and often breakfast, every weekday of their adult lives. They built their business on a handshake and never a “beef.” Sited in Chelsea, their company continues to provide housing options serving families in working class communities.
His wife, Nancy, described their relationship, “My husband had a zest for life I witnessed through all our years together. His primary focus was always family, followed closely by an interest in and caring for friends, co-workers, and, yes, strangers who crossed his path. If he was your friend, you felt his presence, his focus on you, his loyalty and support. As a stranger – a restaurant server, an Uber driver, someone down and out looking for help on the sidewalks of Boston – you felt seen.
“Though son-in-law, Tom, now heads the family business, Steve never really retired. Up until the last month of his life he had a number of business ventures simmering in the background, Excel sheets detailing the options, with the same level enthusiasm that propelled him 60 years before. His passion for learning unending.
“Steve was my partner for 60 years. I was never bored in his presence. His love of life translated to our time together. As an example, Steve sent me several emails every day, though in our years of retirement, we shared little more than 1000 square feet of living space. When he complained I didn’t read his emails, I often irritably asked him to just talk to me. He would leave in a huff, and I would guiltily check his recent sends. One day I find four: 1) a link to a writer’s workshop I might be interested in; 2) a link to new treatments for leg cramps (I had complained of same that morning); 3) a link to an editorial about Israel he suggested we discuss over dinner that night; and 4) an invite to our favorite comedy club where we were the oldest attendees, by far, and both enjoyed immensely. That was my Steve – loyal, supportive, caring, and fun - my partner in life. I will miss him always.”
Steve and Nancy raised their family in Concord, Massachusetts and, as his daughters shared at his funeral, gave them both deep and meaningful roots and the wings to soar. His daughter, Amanda, shared his values of humor, intellectual curiosity, independence, care for others, and love of friends and family especially his grandchildren, particularly relishing in all of their uniqueness. His daughter, Alyse, went on to share that perhaps contrary to his innate Jewish father sensibilities, he encouraged her and her sister to take risks, to live their best lives even if far from home, and truly enjoyed their daring and sense of adventure explaining, “As much as he may have hated it, he drove us to the airport, tucked a sawbuck in our pocket, and waved us off - over and over again. It was his greatest gift to us.”
Donations in Steve’s honor can be made to the Middlebridge School, where his grandson is a graduate and his daughter, Amanda, serves on the board, 333 Ocean Road, Narragansett, RI 02882 or Jewish Family and Children's Service of San Franscisco, where his daughter, Alyse, works overseeing programs serving those in need here and in Israel, P.O. Box 159004, San Francisco, CA 94115.
Steve’s funeral service can be viewed on Congregation Shirat Hayam’s YouTube channel.