Selwyn D. Berson

BERSON, Selwyn D. Selwyn D. Berson, 78, of Oak Bluff, Avon died Sunday, (April 1, 2007). Born in Pittsburgh, PA, he was the son of the late Hyman and Sophie Berson. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and received a Masters Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Engineering School at the University of Pittsburgh. Selwyn began with Pratt & Whitney in 1953 and held numerous engineering positions until 1978, when he became Director of Domestic Marketing for the Commercial Products Division. In 1981 he became Vice President of Marketing and Customer Support and in 1982 Executive Vice President of the Division. In 1983 Selwyn was appointed Executive Vice President of Pratt & Whitney, and in 1987 President of Pratt & Whitney's Commercial Engine Business. He was principally responsible for obtaining the largest single order at the time in company history, valued at $4 billion, from United Airlines including the launch of the 777. He was a strong advocate for the customer and was instrumental in returning Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways to the Pratt & Whitney fold. He was a member of the Board of Visitors of the Engineering School at the University of Pittsburgh, and an Incorporator of the Hartford Art School. He was also past president of Temple Sinai in Newington. He was predeceased by his first wife, Phyllis (Swartz) Berson. He leaves his wife, Joyce (Apter) Bisberg Berson; a son, Martin Berson of Avon; two daughters, Ronna Erickson and her husband Neal of Amherst, MA, and Lisa Reynolds and her husband Craig of Belmont, CA; two grandchildren, Eric and Dana Reynolds; a sister, Harriet Canincun and her husband Merv of Pittsburgh, PA; two step-sons, Loren Bisberg of Farmington, and Paul Bisberg of Danbury; a step-daughter, Betsy Palmer and her husband Donald of Olney, MD and their children, Steven and Abby Palmer. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 4, at 1 p.m. in the Sanctuary of Temple Sinai, 41 West Hartford Rd., Newington with Rabbi Jeffrey Bennett officiating. Interment will follow in Temple Sinai Memorial Park, Newington. The family will receive relatives and friends at his home, 102 Oak Bluff, Avon, Wednesday following the funeral through Friday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hartford Art School, 200 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford 06117 or to the American Cancer Society, 538 Preston Ave., PO Box 1004, Meriden 06450-1004. Arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford. For further information, directions, or to share memories of Selwyn with his family, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com.