Arnold Myron Berman: A Life of Service and the Simple Things
Arnold Myron Berman was ninety-nine years old when he passed away at his home in Laguna Woods, California on February 6, 2021.
He was born on April 14, 1921 in Boston, Massachusetts to his parents, Charlotte Toby and Max Berman. In 1940, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, then transferred to the Royal Air Force, where he ultimately attained the rank of captain. His service included performing multiple jobs involving radio operator, radar operator, and aerial gunnery specialist. Toward the end of the war, he was transferred to the American Air Force and served another 10 years in the US National Guard leaving in 1955. Arnold's time served in the military was especially valuable to him, as he fondly reminisced about those years for the rest of his life. He received a plaque from King George the 6th commemorating his time in service that he cherished. From singing old war songs to sharing stories about his experiences in World War II, Arnold kept this period close to his heart.
Soon after the war, Arnold married Sylvia Freeman on June 16th, 1946 in Boston, Massachusetts, where they lived for over 10 years and started their family. In 1956, they moved to Rochester until retirement in 1992. His first job after the war was with the Freeman family fruit and produce business. In 1950, he ventured out from the family business and joined The Borden Ice Cream Company where he worked for 25 years. He then took his favorite position in life working for Perry's Ice Cream, a small ice creamery in upstate New York. During his retirement years, Arnold enjoyed playing bridge, walking (and walking some more), reading, snacking, and dogs. He loved all Boston sports teams and the games until they were losing when he had to turn the TV off. He celebrated the Jewish holidays with his family in California, where he and Sylvia lived out their retirement. While living at The Regency in Laguna Woods, he did exercise classes, danced, sang, and brought smiles to other residents' faces. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he would sneak out the back door in order to grab lunches with his son Daniel.
He is survived by Marla Kleinman, Jeffrey and Diane Berman, Daniel and Laurie Berman, along with 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his wife Sylvia Berman.
His funeral services will be held on March 3rd at 10:15 AM at the Riverside National Cemetery in California.Thank you to the members of OC Hospice, Pioneer Home Health Care, the Regency, and McCormick & Son Mortuaries who helped take care of Arnold in his final days. He truly enjoyed the simple things in life: sports, walking, dinners with family, dancing, and dogs. These were the important parts of Arnold's life