On April 9, the Wulf’s Fish family lost a founder and key figure in our history, Alan Wulf. For more than 40 years until his retirement in 2012, Alan was a daily presence at Wulf’s Fish Market in Brookline. Soon after graduating from Northeastern, Alan joined his father at the market and became a beloved fixture of the community.
Wulf's was known for purveying Boston's freshest fish, and for the affable welcome and trove of expertise Alan and his cousin Richie Taylor always had at the ready for the market's loyal customer base — some of whom had been visiting the store since its opening in 1926.
Alan relished the energy of the fish market and enjoyed hosting visiting school groups and showcasing the market's history and operations for local news features. Even after his retirement, Alan maintained a regular presence at the market, both at its former Harvard Street, Brookline location, and at its current location at the Boston Fish Pier.
His enthusiasm, caring and mentorship will be sorely missed.
The most important thing to Alan was family. Whether it was his immediate family, his extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins, or his Wulfs family. He was the nicest, kindest, most sincere person, and once you were part of his family, he left a part of himself with you. He would always say ‘I try to be nice to everyone because that's just how I am.’ I am truly blessed that I was able to work and learn side by his side for over 40 years.
— Richie Taylor, aka "Ricky Wulf "
Alan Wulf has always been the greatest supporter of our business. His support brought knowledge of seafood, knowledge of retail and the retail customer, but most of all, knowledge of how to support the family that helps a business run. To Alan the family business was never about making money for himself; the family business to Alan was about keeping the employees that make up his company happy, healthy, and comfortable as it relates to employment. Alan's philosophy of taking care of his employees like family has never been so relevant as it is today.
— Mike Geraty
Alan Wulf
April 1, 1938 - April 9, 2020
Originally published in the Salem Evening News
Peabody - Alan Wulf, of Peabody, Massachusetts, died of heart complications on the evening of April 9, 2020. He was 82. Raised in Everett, the eldest son of Sam and Gertrude (Alperovitz) Wulf, Alan graduated from Everett High School-and, following a stint in the U.S. Army, received a bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Northeastern University. It was there that he met Judith (Judi) Tassler of Washington, D.C., the love of his life. Married in 1967, the couple settled in Peabody where they raised their three children-David, Andrew, and Laurie.
Soon after graduating from Northeastern, Alan joined his father at the helm of Wulf's Fish Market in Brookline and led the business for more than 40 years until his retirement in 2012. Wulf's was a fixture of the city's bustling commercial community-known for purveying Boston's freshest fish and for the affable welcome and trove of expertise Alan and his cousin Richie Taylor always had at the ready for the market's loyal customer base-some of whom had been visiting the store since its establishment in 1926. Alan relished the energy of the fish market and enjoyed hosting visiting school groups and showcasing the market's history and operations for local news features. Even after his retirement, Alan maintained a regular presence at the market, both at its former Harvard Street, Brookline location-and at its more-recently-established location at the Boston Fish Pier.
Alan was extraordinarily dedicated to his family and deeply enjoyed all manner of family gatherings-holiday celebrations or family picnics. He maintained very close ties with his brothers, Richard and Henry, as well as with the extensive network of cousins in the Wulf family and the extended "Goodman Association." He also delighted in spending time with his seven grandchildren and attending their multitude of baseball, basketball, soccer, field hockey, football, and lacrosse games.
Alan is survived by his wife, Judi; by David and Debbi Wulf of Herndon, Virginia; by Andrew and Irina Wulf of Swampscott; by Laurie and John Cantalupo of Boxford; by Richard and Sheila Wulf of Norton; by Henry and Roberta Wulf of Vienna, Virginia; and by his grandchildren--Jocelyn, Charlotte, Darian, Aydan, Nicholas, Nathaniel, and Alex.
Interment services will be held at Sharon Memorial Park in Sharon, Massachusetts. In view of ongoing restrictions on large gatherings, the burial will be private; however, a public memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Alan's memory may be made to https://www.restaurantstrong.org/donations/. The staff at Stanetsky-Hymanson Memorial Chapel had the honor of caring for Alan and his family. For more information or to register in the online guestbook, please visit www.stanetskyhymansonsalem.com.
Published on April 13, 2020
