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Irving Kern Obituary
Irving J. Kern of Fairfield, CT died on Sunday, December 18, 2016 in Bridgeport Hospital. Irv was born in Bridgeport to the late Siegfried and Ernestine Kern. He graduated valedictorian from Central High School, Magna Cum Laude from University of Connecticut, and earned a law degree from the University of Virginia Law School.
Irv practiced law with the law firm of Cohen and Wolf for 45 years, and was honored to be the Managing Partner for 16 years. Irv was a former president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Bridgeport. He also served as chairman of the Bridgeport Council of Presidents. He was an active member of the Bridgeport Hospital Professionals and Quality Assurance Review Committee, and a member of the Board of Directors of Bridgeport Hospital.
Irv is survived by his wife of 46 years, Andrea Miller Kern as well as his two daughters Danielle E. Kern of New York City, and Nancy L. Kern and her husband David T. Sexton of Fairfield, CT, his sister Gloria Lebetkin of Simsbury, CT, and her two children Kenneth Lebetkin (Heather), and Amy Lebetkin, and his brother-in-law Michael A. Miller of East Haven, CT. Irv was predeceased by his in laws David and Charlotte (Cole) Miller, his brother-in-law Peter Lebetkin and his first cousin Helene S. Kern.
He is leaving behind a host of extended family members, life long friends, and esteemed colleagues. He will be deeply missed.
Friends and family are invited to attend his funeral service on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Congregation B'nai Israel, 2710 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT. Memorial contributions may be made in his honor to Bridgeport Hospital, 267 Grant Street, Bridgeport, CT 06610, or Congregation B'nai Israel 2710 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604.
Memories and Condolences
for Irving Kern
53 Entries
January 8, 2017
Dear Kern Family,
My family and I were so sad to hear about Mr Kern's passing. I think of you all fondly whenever I drive up our old street. I had been bumping into Mr Kern at lunch not all that long ago and he always shared a bit of what the "girls" were up to.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Alan Willig
Susan Blomberg
December 30, 2016
Dear Andi,
My condolence to you , Danielle, and Nancy.
Irv was the most genuine, kind, caring ,and supportive human being. He was my lawyer for over 15 years and a dear friend. There are no words to express my sadness.
Jim and Karen Demont
December 29, 2016
Dear Andrea ,Nancy ,Danielle and family ,
A gentle giant among men. His integrity ,dignity and honesty were unmatched. It is truly an honor to call Irv our friend. Although he will be missed, his inspiration to be a better person will be with all who had the pleasure to know him. God bless you and your family. May his memory be eternal.
Love,
Jim and Karen Demont
Lisa Grenadier
December 28, 2016
I only met Irv once or twice many years ago. He was my fathers Cousin and so mine as well. We did speak frequently on the phone as I work for a major Title Company. He was always unfailingly warm and pleasant. I can only say I always wanted to know him better but I am grateful for the contact I did have with Irv. My sincerest Condolences you and his entire family.
nathan steinfeld
December 26, 2016
I always seemed to bump into Irv through the years including very recently--infact I said to him ,remember me,of course he would say ,nate steinfeld--and I would always joke with him saying,and your still foot taller than me,we would laugh.i am so sorry to hear of Irvs passing,it just makes one feel how short life is,im so sorry.RIP big guy ,your presence will always be remembered ,RIP.
Barry and Elsa Waxman
December 25, 2016
Andrea, Barry and i are so saddened to hear of Irv's death. He was such a good man. Our thoughts are with you.
Elsa Waxman
Dianne and Richard Goldman
December 25, 2016
Andi
Our sincerest condolences to you and your family - a tragic loss to all of you and to our community.
Ira M. Ratner
December 25, 2016
Dear Kern Family:
It's been many years since we all were childhood friends living in Bridgeport, CT Irv chose his career as a successful attorney at C&W, I, on the other hand chose to be a career officer in the U.S. Army. I will fondly remember the Kern Family including Uncle Julius and cousin Helene when we lived in the Chestnut Garden Apartments.
Barry Greenberg
December 24, 2016
Andi,
I am so sorry for your loss.
I heard the sad news from Jennifer earlier today. My heart goes out to you & your family.
Alan Biederman
December 22, 2016
Dear Andi and Family,
Like anyone who ever knew Irv, I find it very hard to imagine that he has passed. Since age 6, through Shaare Torah, and Central, and UConn, and AEPi, and then for a year as lawyers in Bridgeport before I moved away, he was always the person in the room I most respected and admired. He stood for what was good in people. My family sends your family our sympathy.
Jay Kalner
December 22, 2016
Andi, I learned of Irv's passing from Jonny Goldstein. We all were AEPi brothers along with Tommy Peck and Les Faiman, whom I understand were pallbearers. I was Irv's vice-president when he served as fraternity president. At college Irv stood out as a man among youths. One could easily see he was destined to have a wonderful career and family. I know you will always treasure the times you shared with him. May God bless you and your family.
December 22, 2016
Dear Andi,
Meredith and I were deeply upset to hear the news of Irv's death. He was a wonderful man, a prince. As you may remember, Irv was a rookie attorney in 1973 when he closed our first house purchase in Westport. We continued to work him on numerous business and personal affairs over the years, and I spoke to him not more than two weeks ago about the latest matter. As always, he was energetic and engaged, thus I could not have been more shocked at the awful news. Meredith and I will miss our all too infrequent dinners with the two of you. We had a lot of laughs, didn't we? I'm sure it's not much solace now, but know that Irv will be remembered by all who knew him as one of the very best. All our love, Henry
Patti Early
December 21, 2016
Andi - I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Larry Solanch
December 21, 2016
Dear Andrea and family: I was shocked and saddened to learn of Irving's passing. I have many fond memories of Irving as we grew up together in Bridgeport in the 1950s and 1960s. Please accept my deepest condolences, and know that remembrances of Irving shall continue to serve as inspirations and blessings to all who knew him.
December 21, 2016
Dear Andi, I was in North Carolina attending to two grandchildren when I learned Tuesday of Irv's passing. My condolences go out to you and to your entire family. Irv will be both missed and remembered well. Love Hal and Kim Levi
December 21, 2016
IRVING KERN FAMILY, our thoughts and prayers are with you during these difficult times. May the God of comfort be with you.
Sheryl Cohen
December 21, 2016
Dear Gloria and Andi,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. All my love Sheryl
Ken Ironside
December 21, 2016
Knowing Irv was one of the most positive features of my years at Bridgeport Central High School. I grieve for all who knew and loved him.
December 21, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family. So sad. Love, Cindy (Newman), Steve, Kara, and Jenna Bailen
December 20, 2016
Darling Andi, Nan and Danielle,
I am heartsick at your loss of one of the truly great guys in this world. Irv was wicked smart, wicked funny and ridiculously kind and gracious. He is irreplaceable. We are all left with a void--his decency and sense of fairness is hard to find. Our loss is great, yours greater. I send you my love and prayers.
Mary-Jane
Barbara & Rob Liberman
December 20, 2016
Dear Andi & Family, Words cannot express our thoughts to you at this difficult time. Seeing you & Irv recently was so nice. We are shocked & saddened by his loss. May his memory be a blessing. Sincerely, Barbara & Rob
Mark Newman
December 20, 2016
Very sorry to hear this news. Have not seen you in many years, but thinking of you all now and wishing you strength during this difficult time.
Judy and Stuat Epstein
December 20, 2016
Dear Andi,
Stuart and I are so sad for you and your family and the cohen and wolf family....it is hard to comprehend how life works and why things happen the way they do.....you and your family are in our thoughts . Judy and Stuart Epstein
David Bushell
December 20, 2016
Andi,
My heartfelt condolences.
I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear of Irv's death. You guys were always such a great couple!
David Bushell
December 20, 2016
Oh Andi, I am so sorry. Irv was just a wonderful person. I enjoyed seeing him with you everywhere. It's very hard to lose a person with whom you've spent your whole adult life. My love and prayers to you and the girls. Marcia Eigel
Jane Tipler
December 20, 2016
My dear Andi,
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family have my deepest sympathy. I am here whenever you need me. xx
Michael Jackson
December 20, 2016
Dear Andi and Family, I was so shocked to hear about your loss. We all miss you at CCC and I will keep you and your family in my Prayers.
Susan Bauchner
December 20, 2016
Andi, I am stunned and saddened to hear of Irv's death. I will remember sitting at countless Federation Board meetings with him. I loved sharing the Cuba trip with both of you. I wrap you and your family in a big e-hug.
Harvey & Donna Rosenbloom
December 20, 2016
Dear Andi & Family,
We are shocked and so very sorry to hear about Irv's passing. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and the entire family during this very difficult time. We have a number of great memories of Irv that we will always cheerish.
December 20, 2016
Dear Andi,
We are so very sorry to hear of your loss.
May you and your family be comforted by many happy memories.
Debby and Ted Splaver
Lindsay Michalowski
December 20, 2016
Nancy and Family,
I was so saddened to hear of your loss. I want to offer my deepest condolences for you and your lovely family during this time. May you be comforted by close friends and family with the wonderful memories you have shared together. Thinking of you.
Ed Davies
December 20, 2016
Andi,
I was shocked and saddened to learn of Irv's death. I am so very sorry for your loss. Sending prayers to you and your family.
Ahuva and Moshe Munzer
December 20, 2016
Dear Andi and family,
Please accept our heartfelt sympathy at Irv's passing. May the fond memories help you at this most difficult time.
Fondly,
Ahuva and Moshe
Gail Nickowitz
December 20, 2016
Dear Andrea, I am deeply sorry for your loss of your dear Irv. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
December 20, 2016
Andi,Danielle and Nancy I am so saddened to hear of Irv's passing. He was a very special man and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sharon Greenberg
December 20, 2016
Andi, our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Our prayers will continue to be with all of your . Marie and Brian
December 20, 2016
We are very sorry for your loss and we are here if you need anything. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Michele Murzak & Sarah Ford
December 20, 2016
Sorry to learn of Irv's passing. He was one of my classmates at Shaare Torah and Central High.Though it has been close to 55 years since we last crossed paths. I remember him with fondness and friendship. Condolences to the family.
December 20, 2016
So very sorry for your loss of your husband and dad...I go way back with Irv from Sharre Torah and Hebrew School and, of course, high school.Irv was a soft, loving man,and he will be greatly missed. You are in our thoughts at this time....
Love,
Vivian Greenberg
December 20, 2016
Andy, Danielle, Nancy:
Our deepest sympathy for your loss. Your husband and father was a very special person who will be sorely missed. Our thoughts go back to great times past, especially when our growing families lived in the Stratfield Road neighborhood of Fairfield. Those indeed were the days!
All our love,
Anthony and Margit Buonicore
Easton, CT
December 20, 2016
Our deepest Sympathy to the Kern Family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. ❤
Ashley Dortch & Carrie Braley
Ann Franzen
December 20, 2016
We are so saddened. Please accept our deepest sympathies.
-Jack and Ann Franzen
Ted Drew
December 20, 2016
Andi,
Our thoughts are with you and your family and our hearts are wounded too.
Irv was a wonderful person. We knew him when he and Gloria were children. Even then, he had the traits that made him the man he became. Thelma and Ted
Neil & Ilana Plain
December 20, 2016
Andi we are so sorry. Our hearts are with you and your family in this difficult time. We arrived in Florida last night so we won't be able to attend the funeral.
Susan Deveau (Frischstein)
December 20, 2016
Dear Andi, Nancy, Danielle, Gloria, & family,
It comes with great sadness to read of Irv's passing. Please know that you are in my thoughts & prayers.
Sincerely,
Ina Divjak
December 20, 2016
Andi & family
On behalf of the Ashen family, Robin and I want to offer our sincere condolences on the passing of Irv. Please know we are thinking of you during this most difficult time.
Milton Jacoby
December 20, 2016
We've lost a great man. Sincere condolences from the Jacoby family.
Lois Jacknis
December 20, 2016
Andi, so sorry to hear of Irv's passing. My thoughts are with you and the girls.
Liz Cook
December 20, 2016
Dear Andi and family
Irv was one of the nicest persons I've ever met! A gentleman, funny and on the ball(always). He loved his wife, his daughters, his home was his castle! He loved his job... I will miss Irv Kern !
Liz and Ted Cook
Norman and Vivian Greenberg
December 19, 2016
Andi and family,
There are no words. May you find some comfort and peace in the memory of what a wonderful, accomplished, brilliant, and loving person he was. He was one of a kind and will be sadly missed by many in all walks of life. We are so saddened and shocked.
Love,
Vivian and Norman
Marty Jacknis
December 19, 2016
To an accomplished and admired classmate, friend, lawyer and an individual that positively touched so many lives thank you and rest in peace.Andi my heartfelt sympathy is with you and your family.
December 19, 2016
I am so sorry. It was too soon.
May his memory give you comfort in this time of sorrow.
Dan Woloshen
Jeff & Mal Goldwassser
December 19, 2016
Our deepest and sincerest condolences to Andi, Danielle and Nancy and the extended family. We are in shock!
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