 JANUARY 9 • 2020 | 47

David Stern, Longtime 
NBA Commissioner, 
Dies at 77

(JTA) — David Stern, who 
in three decades as NBA 
commissioner guided the 
league from financial dis-
tress to become a multibil-
lion-dollar global enterprise, 
died Wednesday, Jan. 1, 
2020. He was 77.
Stern had undergone 
emergency surgery for a 
brain hemorrhage 
in mid-December 
after collapsing at 
a New York City 
restaurant.
He served as 
commissioner 
of the National 
Basketball 
Association from 
1984 to 2014, 
increasing its 
popularity by pushing the 
individual talents of such 
all-time greats as Michael 
Jordan, Larry Bird and 
Magic Johnson. During his 
tenure, the league expand-
ed by seven teams and six 
teams relocated. Stern also 
contributed to the founding 
of the WNBA, which had its 
inaugural season in 1997.
“David took over the NBA 
in 1984 with the league at a 
crossroads,” Adam Silver, his 
successor and also Jewish, 
said in a statement, accord-
ing to ESPN. “But over the 
course of 30 years as com-
missioner, he ushered in 
the modern global NBA. He 
launched groundbreaking 
media and marketing part-
nerships, digital assets and 
social responsibility pro-
grams that have brought the 
game to billions of people 
around the world. Because 
of David, the NBA is a truly 
global brand — making him 

not only one of the greatest 
sports commissioners of 
all time but also one of the 
most influential business 
leaders of his generation.”
His foundation, the 
Dianne and David Stern 
Foundation, was worth 
about $135 million and gave 
away about $2.1 million 
over the past year, 
according to Inside 
Philanthropy. 
Jewish causes 
include the UJA-
Federation of New 
York, Scarsdale 
Synagogue, 
Westchester Jewish 
Community 
Center and Anti-
Defamation 
League.
Stern is a member of the 
Naismith Basketball Hall of 
Fame and the International 
Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
Stern was a friend and 
colleague of the late for-
mer Pistons owner Bill 
Davidson.
“David Stern was a giant 
of a man — never one to 
shrink from a challenge 
or back away from the job 
required of him,” said Bill’
s 
wife, Karen, and son, Ethan 
Davidson, in a statement. 
“The international reach 
of the NBA and basketball 
today was fueled by David’
s 
indomitable spirit and 
entrepreneurial talents. We 
were also fortunate to see 
him for the mensch he was: 
one who showed up, always 
had your back and gave all 
he could. We extend our 
deepest condolences to his 
wife, Dianne, their children 
and their whole family.” 

David Stern

NOAM GALAI/GETTY IMAGES

continued on page 48

Soul
of blessed memory

SUSAN AVERBUCH, 61, of 
Commerce Township, died 
Dec. 31, 2019. 
She is survived by her 
sister and brother-in-law, 
Sharon and Jeffrey Diskin 
of Southfield; nephews and 
nieces, Daniel Evan Diskin, 
Rachel Lauren Diskin, Jared 
and Ilana Averbuch, Aaron 
and Joelle Averbuch, Elana 
and Rabbi Daniel Schwartz; 
boyfriend, Michael Shechter; 
many loving great-nieces and 
great-nephews. 
Contributions may be 
made to a charity of one’
s 
choice. Interment was held at 
Workmen’
s Circle Cemetery 
in Clinton Township. 
Arrangements by Hebrew 
Memorial Chapel.

EUNICE BEAL, 97, of 
Farmington Hills, died Dec. 
27, 2019. 
She is survived by her 
daughters, Charlene Beal and 
Nancy Beal; grandchildren, 
Michele Green, Sheri LaBo, 
Stuart Wainstock, Michael 
Wainstock, Barry Wainstock, 
Matthew Beal and Jessica Beal; 
great-grandchildren, Alyssa 
Cohen, Lexie LaBo, Cailey 
Cohen and Milo Wainstock; 
nieces, nephews, cousins and 
friends. 
Mrs. Beal was the beloved 
wife for 64 years of the late Dr. 
Irving Beal; the loving mother 
of the late Kathie Wainstock. 
Interment was at Machpelah 
Cemetery. Contributions 
may be made to Alzheimer’
s 
Association, Greater 
Detroit Chapter, 25200 
Telegraph Road, Suite 100, 
Southfield, MI 48033 alz.org. 
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman 
Chapel.

RICHARD D. 
BLEZNAK, 93, of 
Birmingham, died 
Dec. 28, 2019. 
He is survived 
by his daughter, 
Ellen Bleznak-Wiss; son, 
Mitchell (Michelle) Bleznak; 
grandchildren, Elise (Adam) 
Kaplan, Bradley (Melissa) 
Wiss, Adam (Meryl) Bleznak, 
David (Sonya) Bleznak and 
Julia Bleznak; great-grandchil-
dren, Blake Kaplan, Brooks 
Kaplan, Sienna Kaplan and 
Frankie Bleznak. 
Mr. Bleznak was the beloved 
husband of the late Phyllis 
Bleznak; the loving father of 
the late Steven Marc Bleznak. 
Interment was at Clover Hill 
Park Cemetery. Contributions 
may be made to the Richard 
and Phyllis Bleznak Education 
Fund at Congregation 
Shaarey Zedek, 27375 Bell 
Road, Southfield, MI 48034, 
shaareyzedek.org; or Jewish 
Hospice & Chaplaincy 
Network, 6555 W. Maple, West 
Bloomfield, MI 48322 jewish 
hospice.org. Arrangements by 
Ira Kaufman Chapel.

NORMAN 
COHN, 81, of 
Farmington Hills, 
passed away Jan. 
2, 2020.
He was a glob-
al leader in the scrap metal 
industry, founding his com-
pany, Norco Alloys, in 1981. 
After 2001, he consulted in the 
industry until his passing. 
A graduate of Michigan 
State University and Mumford 
High School, Norman was a 
member of Temple Israel. He 
played hockey until his early 
70s and was a lifelong fan of 
the Red Wings, holding season 
tickets at Olympia, Joe Louis 

