February 19, 2021

In remembrance of Bernard Rothenberg, patriarch of a large and growing family.

 








Click on the picture to the left or  here  to see the video of services held 2/15/21.

    My first memory of my Uncle Bernie was when he was baby-sitting me when I was 4 or 5 years old. I got sick that evening and threw-up in my bed. And he was either empathetic or disgusted with me and he threw-up also.
     During a good part of his working life he and my parents were co-workers and there was some friction between them. Either he worked much shorter hours than they did, or they put it too much time. After the business was sold I became much closer to Bernie. We made many , many visits to Stuyvesant Town to many family get togethers. Uncle Bernie and Eddie became good friends and liked spending time together.
     Bernie was always trying to teach everyone to play golf in the playground outside their building. Stuyvesant Town renamed that play area “The Bernie Rothenberg Playground” in a ceremony celebrating that event. Bernie boasted that he had at least a dozen students. Eddie, who was a very good golfer told Bernie to “button his lips” once when Bernie tried to correct his swing, but most of his students were happy about the teaching. His neighbors said he was ‘well-loved” and quite the social butterfly and flirt.
     I will miss him very much especially his kindness and his humor.      Dorothy Miller

     I first met my Uncle Bernie when he returned from military service after WWII.  I was about 6 or 7 and when we were alone, I asked him what I should call him.  And he said just ‘Bernie’, which is what I called him throughout his life.  Also asked about what he called his father - and he said ‘Pop’, which is how I had been referring to him anyhow.
     He took me to my first ballgame, at Yankee Stadium - of course.  And I have remained a Yankee fan ever since.
     We did a lot of driving around together.  From delivering orders, to trips to family and even to Florida.  I remember driving and singing old time songs one night with him and with Elissa, who was a good singer,
     He certainly took it hard losing his wife, and then son.  But with his outlook on life, and his ability to joke about things, he continued to have a full life.  His golfing and keeping in touch with many in the family helped to keep him young.      Robert Melworm

     My Great Uncle Bernie certainly was GREAT! I will miss our conversations. He had such a quick wit, a great sense of humor, and a wonderful laugh. His love for his family, his fondness of golf, and his enjoyment of a peaceful life made him easy to love. Almost 104! I’m glad that he did not suffer in the end. I will think of him often and smile.      Hayley Richards

     I remember Uncle Bernie as an easy-going, fun loving guy.  We played golf together once in Florida.  His sense of humor was always enjoyed and he kind of reminded me of Johnny Carson.      Phil Richards

     So happy I got to meet Uncle Bernie!  He was a character - his humor reminded me of Groucho Marx, which is VERY high praise.     
Abbie Richards