Bernard Bierman

Bernie was born September 26, 1933, in the Bronx, the son of Clara Kamienka and David Bierman, the latter a self-employed, self-taught translator of multiple languages. Bernie spent all his summers at Rockaway Beach, in the now-revitalized enclave of Arverne-by-the-Sea.

Bernie graduated in 1951 from the High School of Music & Art (today Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts), majoring in the violin but also pursuing saxophone and clarinet. He formed a band which played at summer resorts in the Catskills, while he also began working for his father in the translation industry. The work led him to a short assignment in Santiago de Cuba in 1955 before he entered military service.

After training at Ft. Dix and Ft. Benning, Bernie was stationed at Tripler Army Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii. He went into the reserves in 1957 and moved back to New York City, working as an early computer programmer for IBM before he joined his father David in the translation business.

In 1960, he met the love of his life Carol Schelper on a blind date, and they were married exactly a year later. They moved to Croton-on-Hudson in 1966, where they lived on Grand Street for 33 years. Carol started the School of Ballet Arts and Bernie was always a constant source of support and encouragement and musical assistance. On recital nights, he could always be found in his tux, helping to run a smooth show.

In the 1970s, Bernie partnered with Robert Addis and Wojtek Brodnicki to form Ad-Ex Translations, working out of offices in Rockefeller Center. He served as a board member for American Translators Association and wrote a memoir about the organization called A Translator Warrior Speaks.

In 1977, Bernie joined the National Guard and served with the 199th Army Band, “The Governor’s Own,” both performing on saxophone and serving as the band’s emcee at military ceremonies, community events, and official functions. In 1988, the 199th went to Paris for the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice, and Bernie emceed their formal concert in fluent French.

In the late 1980s, Bernie was invited to teach translation arts at New York University. He sold Ad-Ex in the 1990s and became a freelance translator.

A great lover of movies and the theater, Bernie was active in Westchester County’s community theaters. With GOACT he played Roy in The Odd Couple, and with Croton Shakespeare Festival, he portrayed Humphrey Bogart in Play it Again Sam, and Mr. Sowerberry in Oliver! If not onstage, Bernie could be found in the pit orchestra for musicals such as The Boyfriend, Anything Goes, Pajama Game, Fiorello, and Brigadoon.

Between 1989 and 2016, Bernie and Carol made their winter home in Marco Island, Florida. Together they brought music to the community, playing violin and piano at senior residences. Bernie played baseball until age 83 and was always designated the team’s pinch runner.

In 2016, Bernie and Carol moved back to their home in Pawling, New York to be closer to family, where they created even more memories and community connections. He will be forever remembered as a multi-faceted man with insatiable curiosity and a thirst for knowledge. He loved music, theater, movies, and history. He was a superb raconteur, a gracious entertainer, a generous host, an incomparable correspondent, a loving father, doting grandfather, everyone’s favorite uncle, and above all, the soulmate and lifemate of Carol.

Bernie is survived by his son, Steven Bierman; daughter, Suanne Laqueur; four grandchildren Ryan Bierman, Aiden Bierman, Julie Laqueur and Alexander (AJ) Laqueur; sister, Evelyn Rothstein; sister- and brother-in law Susan and Bill Salvaterra; and nephews and nieces Andy Rothstein, Mitchell Rothstein, Richard Rothstein, Miriam Rothstein, Lisa Higgins, Michele Snyder, and Nolan Schelper.

A wake will be held at Edward F Carter Funeral Home in Croton-on-Hudson, on October 9, from 4-7PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Hudson Valley Hospice in Bernie’s memory.