Bernard Kaplan

Bernard Kaplan of North Palm Beach, Florida (formerly of Smithtown, NY) died peacefully on Monday March 18, 2013 at the age of 93. Beloved husband of the late Rhoda Kaplan. Loving father of Jill (Ira) Rakoff, Jack (Shirley) Kaplan; grandfather of Beryl Rakoff Narozny, the late Ross Rakoff, Paul (Michele) Kaplan and Lisa (Brian) Gitlin; surviving brother Theodore Kaplan and 6 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his friend and 21 year companion, Muriel Kaplan. He lived his long life to the fullest, always maintaining his sense of humor. The Kaplan brothers were the early suburban developers of the small hamlet of Centereach, NY in the 1950s called Dawn Estates. Services Wednesday, March 20th at Star of David Cemetery and Funeral Chapel of the Palm Beaches, 9321 Memorial Park Road, West Palm Beach, FL. 561-627-2277 Donations may be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Ave, Montgomery, AL 36104 The Kaplan Family will be receiving friends Thursday afternoon and evening at the residence of Jack Kaplan.

Our Dad, your friend, I never thought about the day he would leave us. I was reflecting the last few days

about my youth. We used to visit his parents frequently as their health declined. We talked about

my grandfather who left Russia, and who worked with his uncle so he could bring his 6 siblings to the US for

freedom and a new life. He would always say, his Dad was a good man. So the same should be

said of my Dad. He loved his family, tennis, all democrats, mellowed a bit with age, still told the same jokes, had lunch with the

boys twice a week, and was fortunate to find his 2nd love, Micky Kaplan. She actually introduced

herself to him after my mother’s passing. They had dinner in a swank restaurant and a friend who knew my

mother came over to the table, and Dad introduced Micky as Mrs. Kaplan. A few minutes later a

bottle of Dom Perignon appeared. I asked him if he ever told his friend that she just happened to have the

same name and he replied,” Why, he never asked”. That was my Dad, the "jokester". He was blessed with good health, wealth, wisdom, and a long

life. As his health deteriorated, we talked about his giving up driving, possible moving in with

me, health assistants who were all wonderful, and his family which he loved. I started managing his affairs

about a year ago of course with his input, and I was so pleased to write the checks to all of the

charities last December to whom he had been giving to for years.

He never forgot his roots. He too was a good man. I love you Dad. We will all miss you.