I only recently learned of Irv’s passing.  I’m grateful to have found the Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz video of his funeral service. Eddie’s remarks about Irv’s life before I knew him at Somers Photo were informative and the family stories were very touching.
	I worked at Somers Photo for several years in the early 70s which allowed me to meet his family; Dad, wife, kids and Harvey. It was truly a family business. Never more so than when the store had a particularly good day of sales. Irv’s Dad, Mr. Somers to me, would send me down South Taylor to pick up a bottle of Asti Spumante to celebrate the occasion. After closing, the Somers and staff would gather and enjoy the sparkling wine, served in Dixie cups. I learned a lot about business, photography, and family during those years. Those lessons served me well as I moved on to college and a career in photography. After College I returned to Cleveland and worked as a photographer at the Cuyahoga County Archives. That provided the opportunity to rekindle my friendship with Irv, mainly at the Demshar’s store in South Euclid.
	For many years he’d send my wife and I the Somer’s holiday card. This one has been on the wall over my desk for many years. 
	My condolences to the Somers Family. The memories live in my heart.

	Dave Thum

My condolences to you, Harvey, and all the other members of the Somers family. I have known Irv all of my life, and always thought of him as a really good and decent guy. This included “cousins club” picnics in the 1950s, family gatherings, Sunday visits at your family home overlooking Cain Park,  technical camera advice at Somers Photo on Taylor Road etc.   I trust that his good spirit has been passed along to his children and grandchildren. May he be of blessed memory. 
Barry Jacobs

Listening to the service reminded me of the last time I saw Irv which was at Harvey's 70th.  Seems like just yesterday...  I found this photo that confirms his wonderful sense of humor and connection with his family and friends.  Condolences to the family from Armin and Karen.

My sincerest condolences to the family and his dearest friends.

Irv gave me an opportunity many years ago that I will be eternally grateful for.

He certainly changed my life for the better.

I was working as a bartender and manager in a local bar/restaurant, when I came upon an ad for an experienced computer person who was familiar with the late great Amiga computer.

Irv hired me, and together we built the computer department at Somers Photo and Computer.

The Amiga was an amazing computer at the time, and while it lasted we had a very successful venture.

That job led to several others for the rest of my audio visual career, from which I am now retired.

As that computer platform failed, I needed to move on, and was hired by a professional video company as a result of my experience with the Amiga and the Video Toaster product that we had been so successful with.

Without the faith and good hearted camaraderie of Irv, and the chance he gave me to move away from a less productive world of employment, who knows where I may have ended up.

Irv was an amazing person, and always totally amazed me with his ceaseless exploration of interesting hobbies and projects.

At times he would call me for small amount of technical advice, and he always took that information and exploited it beyond my abilities, that is certain!

I will always have very fond memories of his smile, intelligence, passion for life, and kindness.

Peace.

Some of my best memories are of hanging out with friends and family in the Somers' back yard and porch. Someone was always playing basketball and we spent hours sitting around talking as people came and went. After we moved away from Cleveland we would always try to visit Irv when we were in town. He always made me feel like he valued each of us in a special way. He shared in the joy of watching our kids grow. He was such a kind, gentle soul. He has a special place in my heart.

I was saddened to learn of the passing of Irving Somers, my father's first cousin, who owned a camera shop in Cleveland where he guided me toward my first 35mm cameras and darkroom gear.

He was a dedicated hobbyist and lover of contraptions--first in photography, then home movies and video (was that complicated editing system made by Atari?), model trains, and lately 3-D printing of useless gadgets that existed for their own sakes.

A little camera geekery that Irv would have appreciated: The first camera we bought from him was a mid-1970s Ricoh fixed-lens rangefinder, maybe the 35 ZF or 500 GS. Then there was my bar mitzvah present from my grandfather (Irv gave him a discount of course), a Canon A-1, and I built a darkroom around a Bogen 22-A Special enlarger. Before I turned 14, our house was broken into, and the cameras were stolen, but we got enough of an insurance settlement to upgrade to a Canon New F-1, their top professional model at the time. When I brought it to Poland later in 1987 and 89, I noticed it was what most of professional photojournalists were using, because there was Canon service in Warsaw. I don't use it so much anymore, but I can't bring myself to sell it on eBay, so I just had the shutter serviced a few months ago.

The attached photo was made in 2012, when I passed through Cleveland to visit Irving, my great-aunt Doris, and Irv's brother Harvey who came down from Ann Arbor, after I attended a conference in Columbus. More photo geekery: Canon 5D MkII, Zeiss Planar 85mm/f:1.4 at 1/60s., f:2.0, ISO 1600. It's a heavy piece of glass. Irv asked, "You've got an 85/1.4, and you're shooting at 1600?!" I think the night before I was in some really dark location, and 1600 doesn't look so bad on the 5D II, but he was still a little incredulous.

I am so sorry to hear of Irving’s passing. He was one of my Dad’s cousins who I knew growing up in Cleveland. Since my brother was such a photographer, we spent a lot of time in Irving’s shop and we have so many family photos from Irv. He will be greatly missed. - Candy Goldfarb Colbert

What a loss of a terrific human being. Irv had a kind heart, a great smile and great enthusiasm for whatever was going on. The Somers played an important role for the Margolis Family throughout many years. So much time spent on their porch as we solved the problems of the world, and in their driveway playing hoops, for hours on end. And never a complaint about the noise from the bouncing balls. 
He was a great neighbor who could always be relied upon, a loving father and grandfather, and his store was an anchor for the community. 
He will be missed dearly.
Jed and Beth Margolis

Mr. Somers was a good man. May he Rest In Peace.

Irv and Somers Photo was an  institution in Cleveland Heights for many years.  Besides taking 100's of passport photos for Weitz Travel, he helped me tremendously in my black and white photography hobby (and craze).  May he rest in peace and may his memory be for a blessing.  Michael Lewin (Weitz Travel).

Dear  Somers family & Friends,

I was deeply saddened to hear the news of Irv Somers' passing, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to all who knew and loved him.

I have fond memories of the Somers family since the day they moved in next door. I remember how I first met Joanie while playing basketball, and how she enjoyed watching our antics on their driveway court.

The Somers were not just neighbors but lifelong friends. Our families grew up side by side, sharing in all the joys and sorrows of life.

Irv was a dear friend, always ready to lend a helping hand. I remember the times he assisted me with his father's Rolls Royce for a high school film I made, and how he offered me work at Somers Photo on several occasions. We shared many conversations about photography, enjoyed bottles of cream soda together, and talked endlessly about cars, including his beloved black and white Corvettes. I'll never forget his passion for his aquarium and other hobbies. I introduced Irv to the works of M.C. Escher, and I cherished the moments when he embraced my children during their visits.

The Somers were regular attendees at the Margolis Pesach seders, and Irv's presence always brought joy to those gatherings. His infectious smile, as vast as the Grand Canyon, and his heart of gold touched everyone around him.

Though Irv may no longer be with us physically, his spirit lives on in the warm and cherished memories we hold dear.

He was truly a good soul and will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Once again, my deepest condolences to the Somers family and everyone mourning the loss of our dear friend.

With warm regards,

Budd Margolis - London UK
Formerly of 3632 Severn Road

OBITUARY

Irving E. Somers

April 5, 1941 – April 14, 2024

Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel

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