JOEL BERMAN Obituary

BERMAN--Joel C. (February 5, 1934 - March 9, 2020), founder of MechoShade Systems, and StretchWall Products, Inc., died at his home in Hewlett, New York. Joel is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lorraine Artzt Berman, and his children and spouses, Jan and Judy, Tammy, Shari and Jack, Glen and Dawn. He leaves six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Joel grew up in Coney Island, Brooklyn, son of Sally Berman and Jack Meyer Berman, an immigrant from Poland who fled the pogroms. While attending Pratt Institute, Joel was drafted into the Army and served from 1957-1959. In the 1960's, he joined his father's upholstery shop and transformed it from a small family business into two industries whose products have been widely used in commercial architecture around the world. Through Joel's entrepreneurial efforts, MechoShade Systems has become an internationally recognized brand of solar shades among noted architects and designers. Joel pioneered computerized shading which can be seen in iconic projects such as the headquarters of the New York Times Company by Renzo Piano. Joel held several patents and his products have won numerous design awards. In 2014, Joel was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from Interior Design magazine. Skiing, sailing, fishing and travel were Joel's favorite pastimes, especially in the company of his family to whom he was utterly dedicated. Joel was an active board member for Camphill Village in Copake, NY, an integrated community where people with developmental differences live a life of dignity, equality and purpose. The family welcomes donations to Camphill Village USA in Joel's memory: https://camphillvillage.org/ get-involved/donate/

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Published by New York Times on Mar. 21, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for JOEL BERMAN

4 Entries

Jermaine DeLeon

March 23, 2021

Hi Joel,

Just passing by to let you know that you're always in my thoughts. I will always be grateful to have you as a mentor and appreciate all of your teachings. You would always remind me that I am a salesman because I need to sell my ideas - Ha! you never lied

Thank you for always pointing me in the right direction!

"The Smith Brothers" ~ Jermaine

March 22, 2020

JOEL BERMAN A FORCE UNTO HIMSELF

There are many adjectives to describe Joel (far too many for us to go into at this time) but there are a few adjectives that have never been used to describe Mr. B, such as easy, laid back, uninvolved, quiet just to name a few.
At work or at play he pushed folks to be better, but none harder than he pushed himself. And with it all he did not understand certain things that most of us do, for example: good enough ( there was only good) or the word NO (to Joel that was the beginning of the discussion or the sale, certainly not the end).
He was a man who believed what he said and said what he believed.
Four score and six years ago a great man, that loved, was born who helped Sharon and me shape our lives and helped us to be better versions of ourselves. He will be sorely missed.

Sharon and Craig

Stacey Yoss

March 21, 2020

Growing up in the 1970s a couple of blocks down the street from the Bermans was a ray of sunshine in an otherwise tumultuous time for me. The WHOLE family welcomed me as if I belonged. The feeling was so powerful as an unsure young girl trying to figure out the universe. Years later rooming with Shari at Syracuse U. felt again like a helping hand. These times are well inked in my memory. Although many years have passed, I will always be grateful to ALL of you. And if I never said it, thank you.

Judie

March 21, 2020

Joels passing is a great loss to our family.....at every family wedding, Bar Mitzvah or whatever the occasion...there was Joel. He will be missed. I was a young girl when I first met Joel....I remember like it was yesterday...his first words to me....Hiya Kiddo. I cant remember breakfast...but I do remember that. Rest In Peace Joel.