Search by Name
Search by Name
1930
2019
October 31, 1930 - December 21, 2019 Bernie passed away on December 21, 2019, surrounded by loved ones in the peace and comfort of his home, following years of valiantly battling myelofibrosis, a rare blood disorder. He was 89 years old. A cherished and beloved patriarch, Bernie will be deeply missed and forever remembered by his adoring and devoted family: high school sweetheart and wife of 68 years, Renny; their children Susan (Jaime) Gesundheit, Linda Manasee, Alan (Tammi) Shapiro, Gayle (Mitch) Plessner; grandchildren Daniela (Eric Cheng) Gesundheit, Michael (Shoshana) Manasee, Kim Manasee, Brooke (Matt) Pfeiffer, Brian (Danielle) Shapiro, Blake (Ta) Shapiro, Rebecca Simon, Fred Simon, Sherwood (Ashton) Egbert, Matt Egbert, Katherine (Meghann) Plessner, Ari Plessner; five great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law Leonard and Annette Shapiro, sister-in-law Sharon Yadley; many nieces, nephews and cousins here and abroad, and countless friends and associates. He was predeceased by his beloved grandson Avi Gesundheit and nephew David Shapiro. The family wants to thank all those whose visits and messages of support brought Bernie great comfort over the years, and most especially they wish to acknowledge and express their immeasurable and everlasting gratitude to the many whose compassionate and dedicated care saw Bernie through his long and devastating illness: Drs. Jeff Harris and Daniel Leiber; the caregivers of "Angels and Saints" led by Jonathan Sarreal; home assistants Wilmer and Josephine Embuscado; the transfusion nurses at St. John's Hospital, Santa Monica, and finally the nurses and staff of Providence TrinityCare Hospice. A memorial service and tribute to Bernie in celebration of his long, well-lived and distinguished life will take place at 10 AM, on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, at Brentwood Country Club, 590 South Burlingame, in Los Angeles. All wishing to join the family at that time are warmly invited. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to: The Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Research Foundation (MPN) 180 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1870 Chicago, IL 60601
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
fantastic leader a giant in the industry. let his people use the imagination
william johnson
Work
January 29, 2023
Thankful to have had the opportunity to work for Bernie and know the family. Rest in peace Bernie.
Jennifer Stilwell Romiti
Coworker
November 17, 2020
To all who submitted messages here in memory of Bernie, please know you have our abiding gratitude- From the Shapiro Family
Renny Shapiro
January 19, 2020
I am so very sorry to hear of Bernie's illness and his passing and I send my deepest sympathy to all of the Shapiro family. I have many fond memories of him thru the years when I worked at Van Nuys Corporate. We were like a family and I remember all of his children when they were young when they would visit the office. Bernie was such a nice man and so very well liked and admired by all of us that worked under his and Leonard's leadership. May he Rest In Peace in God's loving arms.
Lynn Votaw
January 2, 2020
Our business had everything a business needs to thrive. Officers, Managers, Salesmen, Countermen, Warehouse men, Office staff, Customers and inventory; we had it all. Most of all our company had heart, the most important element, it was provided by a man named Bernie Shapiro.
Most of my career was in the branches and when Bernie came to visit the heartbeat & temperature of the branch increased and I knew when he left who I worked for and why. He is gone now but he left behind good memories of a great leader.
I was managing one of the branches and after my annual review, a year in which our contribution was beneath the standard, Bernie stayed behind and talked with me. He stated, Jim we appreciate your effort and realize the economy worked against you, your bonus will be the same as the year before. Year later he called me into his office and announced that he was leaving Familian as the Chairman. I felt so special that he would take the time to share his thoughts with me. That is the mark of a leader that I would follow into heaven or hell. Familian is the name of company I worked for and Bernie was its heart. So long my friend thank you for all that you did for us, for me; your memory and contributions have stayed behind and serve me comfort. God bless his family!
December 31, 2019
Jim Shirey
December 31, 2019
Bernie offered employment to me after graduating college. I say this because I was eligible for the draft during the Vietnam area. Bernie offered me work when most would not even talk to you. I served in Vietnam as a Infantry Captain, and returned to Calif. 5 later. I was offered a position as a division mgr, and held that position until retirement. I never got the chance to thank him for his faith in me until now. We were walking just after Familian was sold,in Texas, at a Builders Trade show. He said to me do you think I should have sold Familian. I remember answereing him. If you look back, you'll get a crick in your neck. I remember he looked at me, and shock his head in the afirmative. He was a positive guy, and had command presence. Many who read this will not understand that comment. If you served in the military, it meant you would follow that person without hesitation, because he was a true leader..
Dennis Skinner
December 30, 2019
I have many good memories of Bernie a very special guy! Wishing Reni and the family comfort, while countless wonderful memories survive.
Craig Darian
December 29, 2019
My condolences to you all. Amidst the difficulty of this, I wish you the comfort of good memories.
Lorne Blumer
December 28, 2019
May care and love of those around you provide comfort and peace to get you through the days ahead. My most sincere condolences to the Shapiro Family
- Blanca Banales
December 26, 2019
I am so sorry to hear of Bernie's passing. I will miss him terribly along with all of our discussions over the years. He was one of the best human beings I had the privilege of knowing and working with in my lifetime. I will continue to think of you Bernie forever.
Danny Daniel
December 26, 2019
Danny Daniel
December 25, 2019
I am so sorry to hear about Bernie's passing. Even though we all new this was coming, doesn't make it easier. Even though Bernie was my boss, I considered Bernie my dear friend. I will miss him terribly. My sincere condolences to the family.
Danny Daniel
December 26, 2019
I am so sorry to hear about Bernie's passing and I have such fond memories of him and our families skiing together and sharing of many family milestones in the mountains or by the sea! May his memory be a blessing.
xoxox Alison Freeman Los Angeles, CA
Alison Freeman
Friend
December 24, 2019
My condolences on the passing of Bernie Shapiro
to his wife, Rena, and family.
~Nirit Weiser
Nirit Weiser
December 24, 2019
Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more