Axel Kaufmann, 88, Newton Resident and World War II Vet

Axel Kaufmann, 88, of Newton, passed away on April 22, 2013. 

Kaufmann was born in Frankfurt/Main, Germany and spent his childhood in Berlin before coming to the U.S. in 1938, according to his obituary. He joined the U.S. Army during World War II and served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific. 

A graduate of MIT, Kaufmann was an architect his entire professional life, his obituary read. He worked at a number of Boston-area firms before starting his own practice in 1965. He also worked as a design team project manager for Boston's Federal (Moakley) Courthouse.

Aside from his career as an architect, Kaufmann was also an avid tennis player who held New England and national rankings, his obituary read.

Kaufmann is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marion, as well as two daughters and their spouses, Laura and Jeffrey McGlashan of Hopkinton, N.H., and Jessica and Bruno Miquel of Waban, Mass. He is also survived by his five grandchildren.

A memorial service to celebrate Kaufmann's life will be held on Sat., May 11 at 1 p.m. at the First Unitarian Society in Newton. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Kaufmann's memory to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202; or Foundation of Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary - Research for Juvenile Retinoschisis, Attention Kristina Sym, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114; or First Unitarian Society in Newton.