Obituaries

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'He Set An Example'

David Sachs
Senior Copy Editor

B

y his own actions, Gerson
Bernstein inspired his four
children to work for the
common good. Son Barry is a local
leader in Vermont; son David is active
in his synagogue in Ohio. _
In Detroit, the community has
benefited from the efforts of Mr.
Bernstein's two daughters, Penny
Blumenstein, first female president of
the Jewish Federation (1998-2001),
and Wendy Wagenheim, current
president of the Jewish Community
Council.
"He gave his children the most
precious gift of life: a value, to give
to your community by service said
Barry. "To give to those in need, with-
out malice and from the heart"
"Community service was in his
blood;' said Rabbi Joseph Krakoff of
Congregation Shaarey Zedek, noting
Mr. Bernstein was a synagogue officer
and chaired the budget committee
for a decade. He also was co-chair
of Detroit's 1966 mission to Israel,
headed the Allied Jewish Campaign's
industrial committee and served on
the JVS board.
"You can tell your children lots of
things:' said Penny, "but if they see
you doing things, it's even more effec-
tive.
"He set an example for me to be an
optimist and a realist:' she said. "You
have to dream and look at the bright
side of things — but you also have
to be realistic about what you can
accomplish.
"He always dreamed big; and if

EVELYN ANCHILL, 86, of
Southfield, died May 21, 2006.
She is survived by her daughter, Gail
Anchill of Southfield; sons and daugh-
ters-in-law, Allan and Rhona Anchill
of Farmington Hills, Byron and Shellie
Anchill of Farmington Hills; grandchil-
dren, Jennifer (Ryan) Barish, Denise
(Ian) Sweet, Brett, Brooke and Karley
Anchill; great-grandson, Maxwell
Barish; brother-in-law and sisters-
in-law, Herman (Bebe) Anchill, Mary
Singerman and Shirley Singerman.
She was the beloved wife of the late
Charles Anchill; sister of the late Ruth
Singerman, the lite Henry August, the
late Morris Singerman, the late Phillip

every dream did not come true, he
went on to the next big dream."
Mr. Bernstein, 91, a native Detroiter
of Boca Raton, Fla., died May 14,
2006, of heart failure. For nearly 69
years, he was married to Lee, "the
great love of his life said Penny. They
met and first spoke on May 13, 1935,
and, ironically, shared their last words
together on the same date 71 years
later, the day before he died.
"They had this beautiful affair of
the heart:' said Penny.
Mr. Bernstein graduated University
of Detroit at age 20, established a CPA
practice in 1936 and was joined by his
father 10 years later. He left accounting
practice in 1962 and chaired Ferndale-
based American International
Aluminum until retiring to Florida in
1971.
But he soon became bored, Penny
said. He invested in Monnig's Dept.
Store chain in Ft. Worth, Texas, living
there for 14 years.
"It was one of the most productive
times of his life she said. "He helped
found Downtown Ft. Worth Inc. It
becanie a very vibrant downtown.
"At the same time, he was an officer
or board member of so many things.
He was president of the arts council
and opera company, chair of the local
March of Dimes and was involved in
the Jewish federation!"
Mr. Bernstein took pride in the
accomplishments of his four children,
said daughter Wendy. But he was
not always so subtle in inspiring his
children to be activists, she admitted
laughingly.
"He always told us he would can-
cel his subscription to the Jewish

.

Singerman, the late Paul Singerman
and the late Mark Singerman.
Interment at the Clover Hill Park
Cemetery. Contributions may be made
to the American Heart Association or to
the Juvenile Diabetes Association or to
a charity of one's choice. Arrangements
by Dorfman Chapel.

AARON S. BERK, 45, of Livonia,
died May 18, 2006. For 10 years,
he was a computer programmer at
Compuware.
Mr. Berk is survived by his wife,
Carol Berk; sons, Derek Berk, Brian
Berk; his identical twin brother,
Bradley Berk and his wife, Marcia Berk;

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Gerson Bernstein

News if he didn't read of Penny or me

weekly.
"Someone who knows us told me at
shivah that it's so obvious where the
gentle strength comes from — your
father.
"My father did have this gentle
strength," Wendy said. "He never
raised his voice; but he knew exactly
what needed to be done, and he was
always there to take care of it"
In addition to his wife, his children
and their spouses, Gerson Bernstein
is survived by siblings and many
grandchildren and great-grandchil-.
dren. For a listing, see last week's IN,
page 82, or the Web site JNonline.us .
At the funeral at Ira Kaufman
Chapel, son David's daughter Kathy
Fromson, a cantorial soloist in
Cleveland, recited the 23rd Psalm.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park
Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to the
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit or the Jewish Community
Council, both at 6735 Telegraph,
Bloomfield Township, MI 48301; the
Joint Distribution Committee, 711
Third Ave., New York, NY 10017; or
Congregation Shaarey Zedek, 27375
Bell, Southfield, MI 48034. LJ

brother and sister-in-law, David and
Wendy Berk; sister-in-law and brother-
in-law, Gail and David Losey; nephews
and nieces, Alex and Josh Berk, Sara,
Kristen and Drew Losey; grandfather,
Frank Morgano. He was the devoted
son of the late Raymond and the
late Sharon Berk; dear son-in-law of
the late Mike and the late Theresa
Kashetsky; loving grandson of the late
Edythe Morgano.
Contributions may be made to
Congregation Beit Kodesh, 31840
W. Seven Mile, Livonia, MI 48152.
Arrahgements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

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Obituaries on page 122

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May 25 • 2006

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