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QC01172013

42 THE QUEENS COURIER • JANUARY 17, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com MIDDLE VILLAGE MOURNS CARL BERNER ‘A leader in community activism’ BY MAGGIE HAYES hood,’” said Holden. mhayes@queenscourier.com Decades passed, and Berner grew older, but it seemed that something as trivial as age could not stop Carl Berner was someone Middle Village residents him from doing his day-to-day activities. affectionately remember as a civic leader, a Mr. Fix-It, “I would see this elderly man, climbing a ladder and and someone who put his community before himself. getting onto the roof,” said Holden. Berner would fre- Berner died Monday, January 7 at 110 years quently walk around the neighborhood, and Holden old. He was born on January 27, 1902, and just said that even at 105 years old, he was up on step missed his 111th birthday. ladders fi xing things. He also used his walks to pick “If you needed something, anything, with plumb- up trash that he found along the roads. ing or even your sink, he knew how to solve it,” said “I just said, ‘Wow, this guy is amazing,’” said Robert Holden, president of the Juniper Park Civic Holden. Association, on his longtime friend. Vincent Arcuri, chair of Community Board 5, said In 1938, Berner helped to establish a neigh- Berner was “a leader in community activism; a model borhood civic group, which later grew into the for children and adults.” Juniper Park Civic Association. He received several awards for his volunteer work The supercentenarian was born in Germany and in the community, including the “Partner in a Cleaner emigrated to the United States in 1928. He found New York Certifi cate of Appreciation” from the himself in New York looking for work. mayor and the Department of Sanitation He learned English, but was still slightly dis- In his home, Berner lived “a simple life,” with criminated against because of his German accent. oatmeal every morning and very minimal technology. After a grueling search, he found work and Holden said that he only had a television, a rotary became the fi rst night manager at the Chrysler phone, and “shunned all of the modern stuff.” Building. Years passed and he held other odd “He lived like a 19th century person,” laughed jobs, but when the Depression hit, he opened Holden. “He never wanted to go to the doctor, he his own toy company. The company thrived, and never took medication. When he was 105 he would some of his products became collectors’ items. walk two miles a day.” Holden said that Berner was good with his However, Holden said that during the last year hands, and this helped not only his business, of his life, Berner started to “slow down,” and an but also his neighbors. In 1938, he and his wife attendant moved into his home. After his pass- moved to Middle Village. ing, there was no ceremony and he was instead Photo courtesy of Robert Holden “Berner said to me, ‘I take pride in my neighbor- cremated, according to his wishes. Carl Berner, pictured atop the Chrysler Building, was a notable civic leader in Middle Village. He died at 110 years old. CASH FOR GOLD! For The Highest Payout In New York WE ARE A 4TH GENERATION WE ARE FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS #1 We Pay Cash For: • GOLD • DIAMONDS • PLATINUM • SILVER • ANTIQUES • ESTATE JEWLERY • SILVERWARE • WATCHES • FINE CRYSTAL • ALL PRE-1964 US COINS We Do Gold GOLD, SILVER & Parties DIAMONDS ARE AT CAN’T MAKE IT INTO OUR STORE?HIGHEST IN 25 YEARS!* We Will Come To You! We Make House Calls! N.Y. Gold Buyers WESTBURY (LONG ISLAND) Brooklyn 9716 Church Ave 65-20 FRESH POND RD. • (718) 386-3450RIDGEWOOD718-485-0202Corner of Rockaway PkwyWESTBURY NY, 11590465 OLD COUNTRY RD.OUR CONVENIENT LOCATIONS: Westbury Gold JAMAICA (HILLSIDE AVE.) Across from Roosevelt Field Mall 183-16 HORACE HARDING EXPWY • (718) 321-3440FRESH MEADOWSNEXT TO ALI BABA RESTAURANT 207 Old Country Rd.516-741-2909Carl Place(516) 334-2274NEXT TO DUNKIN DONUTS Call Anytime 516-236-8815 (718) 206-2271 • (718) 206-2273 CORNER OF LITTLE NECK PKWY & UNION TPKE 61-51 GRAND AVENUE • (718) 476-8939MASPETHACROSS FROM DUANE READEGLEN OAKS253-23 UNION TPKE • (718) 347-4653QUEENS NY 11432179-39 HILLSIDE AVENUE


QC01172013
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