In the Spotlight: Canton Optometrist Carries on Family Tradition

It is not often that a doctor serves four generations of a family. But here in Canton, has served as the optometrist for a 12-year-old patient, his father, grandfather and great grandfather.

That is a pretty great relationship to have with families over the years, Rapoport said.

“Most people who grow up in Canton stay in Canton,” Rapoport said.

It is this strong sense of community and history within the town that makes family practice’s like the Rapoport’s so special.

Rapoport grew up in Canton watching his father, who opened the Optometry practice 60 years ago at 537 Washington Street.

“As a child I used to come into the office and watch my father,” he said.

By watching for so long, Rapoport’s passion for optometry grew and he eventually joined the practice 25 years ago to work alongside his father, before his father retired 12 years ago.

Rapoport took over the family practice and recently opened a second location at 1032 Turnpike Street in January.

“For years and years, Canton was a small town based on the center, but the boundaries of the town have expanded in the past 15 years,” he said.

Due to this expansion, Rapoport decided to open another location in a more accessible area where other towns can take advantage of his optometry services. He works at the new location two days a week and shares the practice with Dr. Arthur Bababekov.

Aside from his two practices, Rapoport is also the president of the Canton Lions Club, which raises money to prevent eye disease and gives back to the town, he said. For two years, he served as the president of the Massachusetts Society of Optometrists.

There is no doubt that Dr. Rapoport is extremely hardworking. His six-day work week and lack of free time is proof. 

Through that hardwork, Rapoport continues to carry on his family's tradition of keeping strong ties to the community and a passion for helping in Canton.