Stanley Bernstein

Stanley Bernstein, MD, longtime Bridgeton physician, died Thursday morning, Dec. 29, 2011, at the Hospice Inpatient Unit at Bridgeton Health Center in Bridgeton. Dr. Bernstein was 80 and had practiced medicine for more than 45 years.

He was born in New York City and attended Leonia High School before his family moved to Vineland, where he graduated from Vineland High School in 1949. He matriculated at Rutgers College in New Brunswick with intentions of majoring in business. Eventually he became a pre-medical study major. After serving for two years in the U.S. Air Force at the end of the Korean War, he was admitted to the Thomas Jefferson School of Medicine in Philadelphia. He graduated in 1963 and settled in Bridgeton as a general medical practitioner. Dr. Bernstein practiced for several years before establishing Family Practice Associates of Cumberland County in 1988. The office was located in Upper Deerfield Township.

A man of varied interests, Dr. Bernstein held his pilot's license and a medical inspector for the FFA. He was a second-degree black belt in karate and seven years training in the martial arts. For more than 35 years, he was a long-distance runner and participated in many local running events. In addition, he was an avid tennis player. Dr. Bernstein was an accomplished musician and played the trumpet and guitar. He enjoyed Oriental art and painted in watercolor style. He also built his own greenhouse, where he enjoyed spending time growing orchids. He was a member of the Orchid Society of America. He also was active as a volunteer at the Cohanzick Zoo and had served on the board of the Cohanzick Zoological Society. He also served as president.

Survivors include four sons, Michael Bernstein and his wife Cindy of Hopewell Township, Daniel Bernstein and his wife Cheray of Austin, Texas, Bryan Bernstein of Pleasantville and Todd Bernstein and his wife Amanda of Columbus, Ohio; one daughter, Kaden Bernstein of Smithville; and three grandchildren, Emily Bernstein, Veronica and Oliver Bernstein. He was predeceased by a brother, Martin Bernstein.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Dr. Bernstein's viewing at the Freitag Funeral Home, 137 W. Commerce St., Bridgeton, on Monday evening, January 2nd, from 6 until 8. Burial services will be private and will take place at Alliance Cemetery in Pittsgrove Township.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made in Dr. Bernstein's memory to the South Jersey Healthcare Foundation, Attn: Memorial Gift, 2950 College Drive, Suite 1F, Vineland, NJ 08360.

Written condolences and tributes may be expressed to the family using the funeral home website, freitagfuneralhome.com.