114 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • SEPTEMBER 2021
OBITUARY
BERNARD SCHWAM A REAL MENSCH
It is with great sadness that the family of Bernard
Schwam announces his passing on July
25, at the age of 89. Bernard died peacefully
at his home with his family after a long and
prosperous life full of good deeds. He will
be remembered by his wife, Susan; his three
sons, Neil, Adam, and Jonathan; his granddaughters,
Allie and Ava; and scores of nieces,
nephews, and extended family and friends.
Bernard was known as kind, generous, patient,
and a teacher to all – a real mensch —
and as a product of the old world, he valued
honesty and modesty. He had a career of 47
years with the New York City Transit Authority
and was respected by his colleagues for his
diligence and reliability.
He was a devoted husband to Susan for just
short of 57 years, raised a family, and was an
active member of the Malverne Jewish Center
community since moving to Long Island in
1968.
As a trained engineer from a generation
raised to value hard work and a do-it-yourself
mentality, Bernard could fix anything that
had a wire and a power source. Though not
adventurous in the traditional sense, he indulged
in a motorcycle as a hobby. In addition
to leaving a family and lifetime of memories,
his legacy includes a garage full of tools and
assorted machinery in various states of repair.
A principle of Jewish tradition is tikun
olam (“repair of the world”), and Bernard’s
devotion to his faith and his habit of constant
repair embodied this tradition profoundly.
His actions and ways are worthy of emulation.
His life was celebrated by those he touched
at the home of his son Adam between July 27
and July 29.
Bernard was a man of modest means who nevertheless
was a lifelong supporter of various
charities. For those interested in honoring
his memory, a donation may be made in his
name to the Jewish National Fund at jnf.org.
Bernard’s family is grateful and honored to
have enjoyed his presence in life, and now to
honor his memory. May his soul be bound up
in the bond of eternal life.
Bernard Schwam
/LONGISLANDPRESS.COM
/jnf.org
