DAVID VOLBERG

VOLBERG--David Bernard, age 97, a retired city planner, died peacefully on November 25 in home hospice. Mr. Volberg grew up in the Bronx and Yonkers, where he was a proud graduate of Saunders Trade School. After serving in the Army (1943-46), he obtained a Bachelor's and Master's degree from the University of California, Berkeley. In 1954, as a line auto worker for Ford, he was instrumental in launching Sunnyhills, the first planned integrated housing development in the country. When he discovered the local UAW was quietly insisting on segregated worker housing, he blew the whistle, resulting in the national UAW sending a team to Milpitas, CA to investigate and clear the way for a fully integrated community. Sunnyhills thrives today as a model for all races living in unity. In October, 2021, the City Council of Milpitas presented Mr. Volberg with a Key to the City for his service. From 1971-2008, Mr. Volberg worked as a City Planner for the City of White Plains, where he worked to improve the lives of the city's residents. Mr. Volberg was an avid reader, enjoying books on politics, history, language, music, biology, physics, economics, Jewish culture and especially evolution. In retirement he also completed dozens of beautiful wooden puzzles which he gave as gifts. He was a real mensch, and will be deeply missed by his friends and family. His wife of 46 years, Naomi Barko Volberg, died in 2012. Survivors include his daughters: Rachel Volberg of Northampton, MA; Deborah Pagnotta of Yorktown Heights, NY; and Rebecca Coniglio of Los Angeles, CA; and four grandchildren. Online condolences may be made at: leopgallagherstamford.com. Donations for a memorial bench at Sunnyhills can be made at: https://gofund.me/6b08a698