Bernard Glickstern

On July 11, 2022, Bernard (Bernie) Glickstern died peacefully in Delray Beach, FL at the age of 95. He is survived by his beloved wife Phyllis, son Russell Glickstern (wife Susan), daughter Donna Tanenbaum (husband Albert), and son Todd Glickstern (fiancée Amy Silver); seven grandchildren, Kara Rothberg (husband Michael), Wayne Glickstern (wife Candice), Adam Tanenbaum, Dylan Glickstern, Troy Glickstern, Austin Glickstern, and Monique Glickstern; and one great-granddaughter, Elena Rothberg.

Born in Brooklyn on January 4, 1927, to Harry and Rachel Glickstern, Bernie attended Boys High School. He earned a BS from City College and an MA in Education Administration from NYU.

Bernie met his wife of 70 years – Phyllis Wein (nee) in 1951 on a blind date. After Bernie's service in the Army during the Korean War he and Phyllis lived in Brooklyn and then moved to Bellmore, Long Island where they raised their family and lived for 48 years. In 2005 they retired to Somerset, NJ while spending six months of the year in Boynton Beach, FL, where they moved full time in 2017.

Bernie's first career was in education working for the NYC Board of Education as a science teacher, assistant principal, and finally principal of an elementary school in Flushing, Queens. He retired early in 1982 at age 55 and began a second career as a financial planner, which he continued to do until recently.

As an educator, Bernie spent his summers as a camp director in the Catskills. In 1963 he and Phyllis purchased Balfour Lake Camp for boys in the Adirondacks and ran it together until they closed it in 1974. Bernie positively influenced the lives of many young people, some who continued to stay in touch with him and Phyllis to share memories and express their gratitude.

An avid sports enthusiast, Bernie played tennis and golf well into his 80's and 90's. He was a diehard Mets and Jets fan. A lover of the arts and travel, Bernie and his wife attended countless theater and music events and travelled extensively together. While living in Long Island, he was an active member of Temple Beth Am and served in several leadership roles there including interim principal of its religious school. Bernie had a tight-knit group of childhood friends who remained in touch until their deaths. He and his wife were avid bridge players and played duplicate bridge together every Saturday. Late in life Bernie took up poetry as a hobby and composed poems for friends and family on milestone occasions.

Bernie was known for his genuine optimism, positive outlook, and can-do attitude. He was a warm and giving person who took an authentic interest in people and was always ready to lend an ear and offer words of encouragement and support. Bernie had an amazing memory and enjoyed sharing stories of family and friends. He lived a full life and left this world a better place than he found it.

In lieu of flowers, please send any contributions to the Foundation for Jewish Camp (jewishcamp.org).