Feb.
27, 2010SOUTH BEND - God reunited Bernie with his loving wife of 43 years on February 27, 2010. Bernie was born in South Bend, and grew up on Arch Avenue. He was a graduate of old Central High School. He was honorably discharged from the Army and went on to graduate from Purdue University, where he ran track and played saxophone. He was an active member of the Jewish community most of his life where he met a woman that he couldn't take his eyes off of. He kept turning around at Temple and looking at my mother (Betty). He got to meet her at a dinner function after. He knew when he danced with her and kissed her goodnight that he would be with her the rest of his life. That was the only time my father ever defied his mother's wishes. That's why he never forced anything onto his boys. He told me: I don't care what you do as long as you're happy. What is the measure of man? Wealth, education, deeds? I measured my father by sacrifice. He passed on his dreams of being a jazz musician (played with Billy "Sticks" Nicks), to take a safer road. To provide for his family he worked nights as a pharmacist for Hooks Drug stores for over 25 years. Then Revco and retired from CVS. He passed on opportunities to own his own drug store, to make sure he didn't put his family at risk. He sacrificed his golden years with my mother when I had cancer. I lost my home and, to have me and my family safe, they opened their home to us. My parents were always givers, not takers. I don't think my father ever had a good night's sleep. He was too busy. Even if he sat down, he was reading or watching something educational. He was a very knowledgeable man. I didn't realize how strong my father was until I looked back over the past two months. I took my father to the hospital on December 23, 2009. My mom and dad said goodbye and I love you to each other; that was the last time they saw each other in this life. Mom passed away on December 26, 2009. I never saw the twinkle of life in my father's eyes after that. He tried to fight, but the cancer came over him. He was polite until the very end. I watched his body take its last breath at 10:26 a.m. on February 27, 2010, but knew his heart left on December 26, 2009. They were special people who made a difference in the lives of others. May they rest in eternal peace as they lived together and in love. A special thanks to all who attended his funeral service.