Obituaries

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Chatham's Beloved 'Mr. Bernie'

Esther Aliweiss Ingber
Special to the Jewish News

Hershman and Morris Adler married the
couple.
Bernie was stationed 1942-45 in
ernard Weisberg, president and
Arizona and the Philippines during
CEO of the former Chatham
World War II. Coming home, he worked
Supermarkets, died Feb. 5, 2011.
at Wrigley's Supermarket. Dad Peter
The locally-based grocery chain he led
Weisberg and his sons, veterans of the
boasted 50 locations when it was sold in
family's White Hill Meat Market (Vernor
1985.
at Lawndale in Detroit),
Mr. Weisberg, 90, was
pooled their money in
a resident of Boynton
1947 to purchase the
Beach, Fla., and Franklin.
former Chatham Village
During his active life,
Supermarket in Harper
he enjoyed sailing and
Woods. Bernie later
scuba diving and was a
started Pack'N'Save and
lifetime member of B'nai
Warehouse Way. He also
B'rith and the Zionist
served on the board of the
Organization of America.
Super Market Institute.
Rabbi Joseph Krakoff and
Daughter Marcia
Cantors Meir Finkelstein
"Marcy" Weisberg said
and Chaim Najman,
her father was known
Bernard Weisb erg
clergy from the Weisbergs'
to his employees as "Mr.
Congregation Shaarey
Bernie" and "took care of
Zedek in Southfield, officiated his funeral the Chatham family and our own." He set
at Ira Kaufman Chapel in Southfield.
a professional but pleasant atmosphere
Born in Pittsburgh on March 22, 1920,
in his stores and instituted the Chatham
young Bernie was not quite 4 years
employee summer picnic. The picnic
old when his parents, Peter and Clara
continues today as an annual reunion for
Weisberg, moved their family to Detroit.
Chatham alumni. In addition, the alumni
As a student at Wayne University, Bernie
remain in touch through the website they
joined Gamma Kappa Chi fraternity —
maintain.
and that led to dating his future wife.
At the funeral, grandson Max Shear
Bernie's sister Selma had a mutual
spoke lovingly of his "Papa." "Papa could
friend with Helen Holtz. When Selma
be the most serious of men, but he could
learned Helen was orphaned and needed
always surprise you',' said Max."You would
a place to live, Selma and Bernie's parents always have a good amount of fun mixed
agreed to let Helen and her brother move in with a good amount of craziness."
in with them. Helen and Bernie had rooms
The Weisbergs collected art, bowled
on different floors and divergent schedules, and participated in a supper club and
so he didn't know Helen at the time of
chavurah. Although afraid of water, Helen
his fraternity dance. Bernie's mother sug-
joined Bernie for scuba diving and out-
gested he take Helen, the young lady who
ings on their sailboat. Bernie cherished
lived in their house. Six months later, in
his close family. But most of all, there was
1942, Shaarey Zedek Rabbis Abraham
Bernie's "unstoppable" love for Helen, as

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Rabbi Krakoff put it.
Bernie bounced back numerous times
from cancer, major surgeries and macu-
lar degeneration. Whatever he faced,
Rabbi Krakoff said, "Helen was always
next to him, holding his hand."
Following his recent surgery in Florida,
Bernie's family was devastated when he
seemingly lost his ability to talk. But the
man known for his great determination
reversed himself on Jan. 25. As son Mark
Weisberg noted in his eulogy, his dad told
his speech therapist that today was his
69th wedding anniversary and he was
married to his angel." Later, on this last
"best day:' Bernie and his beloved wife
Helen again wished each other "happy
anniversary."
Bernard Weisberg is survived by his
wife, Helen Weisberg; daughters and son-
in-law, Dorene Weisberg and Stephen
Sobczak, Marcia Weisberg, Enid Shear;
son, Mark Weisberg; grandchildren,
Jeremy Sobczak, Maximillian Shear, Peter
and Kattee Shear, Peter Weisberg and
David Weisberg; brothers and sisters-
in-law, Harvey Weisberg, Alvin and
Henrietta Weisberg, Harold and Marion
Weisberg; many nieces and nephews;
and administrative assistant of 37 years,
Kathryn Hannan.
Mr. Weisberg also was the son of the
late Peter and the late Clara Weisberg;
the brother and brother-in-law of the
late Selma and the late George Feinberg;
the brother-in-law of the late Lucille
Weisberg, the late Joseph Holtz and the
late Abe and the late Helen Holtz.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park
Cemetery. Contributions may be made to
Yad Ezra, 2850 W. 11 Mile Road, Berkley,
MI 48072, www.yadezra.org ; or a char-
ity of one's choice. Arrangements by Ira
Kaufman Chapel. I I

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ewish. Cuisine

PHILIP J. ALPER,
85, of Rochester Hills,
died Feb. 7, 2011.
He was employed
by Carl Zeiss Vision in
their delivery depart-
ment.
Mr. Alper is sur-
Alper
vived by his wife,
Marjory Alper; son, Richard Alper of
Florida; daughter and son-in-law, Susan
and Richard Schwartz; two grandchil-
dren; Marjory's children, James and
Janette Sloss, John Sloss, and their chil-
dren. He is also remembered by lifelong
friends Clive Cantor, Nancy Hartman
and his friends at Carl Zeiss Vision.
Mr. Alper was the loving brother of
the late Robert Lee Alper and the late
Marcia Krupp. He was predeceased
Marjory's son, Richard Sloss; and his
friend, Ernest Palumbo.
Interment at Clover Hill Park
Cemetery. Contributions may be made
to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital,
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

DR. EDWARD BERMAN, 92, of
Novi, died Feb. 1, 2011.
He was the first clinical psychologist
admitted to practice in the military.
Thus, he began his distinguished career
as a psychologist while serving in the
Army during World War II.
Upon his return to civilian life,
he worked the Big Three in the auto
industry, working with their market-
ing departments establishing psycho-
logical profiles of current and potential
customers of what were key factors in
determining their decisions in buying
a car. His success in "encounter" groups
led to expanding his practice to the RV
industry as well.
The love of his dog Rudy brought him
another trail blazing business opportu-
nity when he started Kamber Kennels
in Clinton Township. At Kamber

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