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