Executive, athlete, volunteer, and grandfather extraordinaire Eli Lipcon, 77, passed away at home in Lincoln on February 25, 2024, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Never one to do anything halfway, Eli fought his disease as he lived his life, with strength, courage, and purpose.
Eli left his birthplace in Staten Island and enrolled in Boston University where he earned his degree in accounting. While at BU, he coxed the varsity crew for three winning seasons. After graduation, Eli earned his CPA certificate and embarked on a career in public accounting. While working at Price Waterhouse, he applied to Harvard Business School and was accepted, based in large part on his record of volunteer activities: teaching accounting at Norfolk State Prison, helping recently released inmates get jobs, and becoming a Big Brother.
Harvard MBA in hand, Eli worked for a few Boston startups in leadership roles. After several years of entrepreneurial experience, he chose to move to a large company, and joined Digital Equipment Corporation as a financial executive. Eli’s 20-year career at DEC saw him succeed in various roles in operations and business management, leaving the firm as an industry marketing vice president.
Other than a short stint at NYNEX, Eli filled the rest of his professional career in volunteer activities: fundraising for Boston University crew, mentoring non-profit organizations and serving on the boards of Housing Families and the Greater New England chapter of the National MS Society. He completed eleven Boston Marathon runs, raising money for the MS Society and Housing Families.
Eli was an avid lifetime golfer in Concord and Grand Cayman, where he enjoyed almost daily rounds with his golfing buddies. Eli enjoyed traveling the world with wife Jan and his family, visits from his grandchildren, and giving back to his community.
Eli leaves his dear wife of 53 years, Jan (Palmer), son Jacob and daughter-in-law Michelle Barbera of Arlington, son James and daughter-in-law Meg (Sliney) of Stow, brother Jesse and sister-in-law Lynne (Johnson) of Wayland, brother-in-law Check Palmer of Boulder, Colorado, sister-in-law Debe Palmer of Ridgefield, Washington, and grandchildren Ella, Sam, Jimmy and Wiley, along with nieces, nephews and many friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Samuel and Dora Lipcon.
A memorial service will be held May 12 at 2 p.m. at First Parish, Concord.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Eli’s memory to the Greater New England chapter of the National MS Society (https://donate.nationalmssociety.org/campaign/Eli-Lipcon).
For Eli’s online guestbook, visit www.DeeFuneralHome.com.
