Jack Bernstein Obituary

Name: Memorial service for Jack Bernstein
Start: 2016-02-13T21:00:00.000Z
Location: Terrace Room of the El Rancho Inn,

Jack Bernstein

July 30, 1928 - February 1, 2016

After a long and eventful life, Jack Bernstein succumbed to congestive heart failure at his home in San Mateo on February 1, 2016.

Born on July 30, 1928 in pre-war Berlin, Germany, Jack, his parents, Samuel and Toni Bernstein, and his sister Ruth lived a typical middle class life until shortly after the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Then all of sudden his school friends joined the Hitler Youth and turned against Jack because he was Jewish.

The situation for him and his family became precarious, and they fled to Paris in 1938. They remained there until 1942 when they left to go into hiding in the French Alps which, at that time, was part of the free France. They had many close calls but survived the war even after the German occupation of the area in which they were hiding.

Jack and his sister were able to come to the United States in 1948 under the sponsorship of relatives in San Francisco. A few years later he met and married Miriam (better known as Mikki) Kessler. They settled in San Francisco and proceeded to have three children, Alex, Nina and Shelly in rapid succession. A divorce followed and Jack became solely responsible for his three teenage children.

Early in 1974, he met and married Betty Spiekerman, the love of his life, and she and her two sons joined Jack and his children in settling into a lovely home in San Mateo. Jack continued working in his own business in various Bay Area locations and was even working two days a week until three and half months before his death at the age of 87.

Jack's parents, sister and his granddaughter, Mary Rose Bernstein, predeceased him. He is survived by his wife Betty, his children, Alex Bernstein, Nina Ramos and Shelly Bernstein, his step- sons, Loren and Derek Spiekerman and his 14 loving grandchildren.

A private graveside service was held on Friday, February 5 at Salem Memorial Park in Colma.

A memorial luncheon celebrating Jack's life will be held for family and friends on Saturday, February 13th at 1:00 pm in the Terrace Room of the El Rancho Inn, 1100 El Camino Real, Millbrae.

In lieu of flowers, Jack's family has asked that donations be sent to ORT America, in care of Joan LaPides, 1210 Bellevue Ave #201, Burlingame CA 94010. Jack was a student at ORT's technical school in Grenoble, France right after the war and he was forever grateful for the help the school provided for him and his friends whose education had been limited by the war.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Feb. 2 to Feb. 7, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Jack Bernstein

Sponsored by Sinai Memorial Chapel Chevra Kadisha.

10 Entries

Marc Bernstein

January 28, 2023

Jack is always with us in our soul and hearth. He share with us our life. We are and will be always together.

Marc BERNSTEIN

January 27, 2021

I shall never forget Jack and his wonderfull family who are always in my heart as warm light.

Best to all the family and relatives.

Marc

Marc BERNSTEIN

January 27, 2020

The time are running so speed, but it cannot let us forget Jack. We keep him in our mind and he is allways with us.

All our thinking are going to Betty, his children, and great children.

The Best for evryone.

Susan Novales

February 13, 2016

Perhaps the most compassionate and kindest person I have ever known. He always gave everyone the benefit of the doubt and believed that everyone deserved a second chance.

Marc BERNSTEIN

February 6, 2016

Jack was a nice and smart cousin who teach's me so much. His death is a great lost. He will miss us.

All my thoughts are going to Betty, and Jack's children and greatchilden.

I hope to get the occasion to see all of you in France or either.

The family is so important.

Love to all of you.

Marc, Dominique, Flora and Aurélien

February 5, 2016

Dear Nina and family,
Our heartfelt sorrow on the loss of your beloved dad. We have warm memories of him at your Christmas parties and family events. He was a kind and gentle soul, and it was clear how much he loved you. We will remember him fondly.
With much love, and many blessings to you all,
Auntie Jitsy & Uncle Ron

Ralph and Jack Bernstein

Ralph Bernstein

February 4, 2016

Jack was my first cousin, the son of my father's brother. I first met Jack when he was in the US Army after WWII. He visited us on furlough in Connecticut with his beautiful sister Ruth. I well remember Jack, handsome, friendly and very kind.
He was quite knowledgeable in electronics and used that skill in his business after he left the Army.

Although he was robbed of his childhood because of the war, and also did not have the education one has in normal times because he and his family were hiding from the Nazis, he was not bitter and worked hard to make a living and support his family.

I am saddened that Jack died, but am comforted that he had a loving family, good friends, and a long life.

We will always remember our cousin and friend Jack. We have benefited to have known him.

MARILYN Kurtz

February 4, 2016

I had the opportunity to meet Jack at a number of family events. He impressed me with his humility, quiet manner of telling the MOST interesting stories and his warm style. As Derek's mother in law, I have learned a lot from loving commentaries and facts about Jack. I know how much he will be missed. My thoughts are with you, Betty and family.