Norman "Bernie" Bernstein

(Asbury Park Press)

NORMAN "BERNIE" BERNSTEIN
LINCROFT
Norman "Bernie" Bernstein, passed away Tuesday, May 12, 2009, with his family at his side. Norman was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. and the family moved to Elizabeth. They owned and operated the Majestic Bakery. Norman graduated from the Jewish Educational Center. Following graduation, he attended Upsala College. In 1965, he joined the U.S. Army and proudly served in the 504th MP Battalion serving in Vietnam. His duty station upon his return was Fort Monmouth. It was there that he met his wife of 39 years, Bambi. They settled in her hometown of Lincroft and raised their sons Andrew and Bryan. Bernie was active in Lincroft Little League as a coach and umpire for many years. He also coached River Plaza Pop Warner Football with Tony Trezza. Norman returned to college after his military service and graduated with a BS in history. During his return to school and after graduation, Norman worked for Employers Insurance of Wausau for several years. In July of 1973, he began his sales career at Grossman Paper Co., Irvington. After several changes along with a dedicated group of friends and associates, they began the N.J. Division of Joshen Paper & Packaging, where he was regional sales manager. Norm will always be remembered as an honest, kind and caring individual who entertained everyone with his jokes and sense of humor.
Norman was predeceased by his father, Abe Bernstein, in 1962; his sister, Deborah Blashinsky, in 1992; and his mother-in-law, Virginia Cronan, in 1992. He leaves behind his wife, Bambi; his sons, Andrew Bernstein and Laurie Edwards; Bryan Bernstein; a grandson, Townes; his mother, Sarah Bernstein; a sister, Helene F. Schlosser; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mary and Frank Spence; his nieces and nephews, Chris and Katie Spence, Pearl Foley and her husband Bob, son Jim. He is also survived by his extended family, Marie Valente and "The Girls" Nicole, Melaina and Danielle, along with other family members and a host of dedicated lifelong friends and business associates.
Services will be held at Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels, 2130 Highway 35, Ocean Township. Shiva will be Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons at the Schlosser residence in Monroe Township. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jason's Dreams for Kids, 20 Monmouth St., Red Bank, NJ 07701, or St. Barnabas Hospice & Palliative Care Center @ MMC, Long Branch, NJ 07740.