Bernard Rader

Rader—Bernard “Bernie”, 98, passed away at home on December 23rd in Freeport, NY. He was born in 1923 in New York City to Eva and Morris Rader. He was drafted in 1943, during his second year at City College in New York. He became a Private First Class in the 94th Infantry Division and fought near Lorient in France, where his unit was ambushed. He was wounded and a captive of the Germans for 47 days, after which he was exchanged in one of the few prisoner of war exchanges on the Western Front. He received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for his service.

He returned to civilian life in January, 1946. He graduated City College as an accountant in 1947. He joined his father in a firm they named Rader & Rader, CPAs, and, in 1952 married June Richmond. They had three children, Robert, Lauren and Andrew.

He climbed the ranks to president of the Nassau County CPA Society and was Secretary of the New York State Society of CPAs. He and his father joined Israeloff, Trattner & Co., PC, in 1984 and remained until retirement in 1991.

After retirement, he and June travelled to churches, synagogues and schools to speak about his World War II experiences. They did over 300 “gigs”, always ending with this message to students: “You have to do something for your country.”

In 2007, he was honored by French President Nicolas Sarkozy with the French Legion of Honor, the nation’s highest civilian award. He made several trips back to Brittany, France, to honor those who served with him and to show his children and grandchildren where the events occurred.

Bernie contributed to many charities and was a member of Congregation Bnai Israel in Freeport for over 60 years.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 69 years, June, son Robert and wife Megan of Glastonbury, Connecticut, his daughter Lauren Rader and Elliot Diringer of Bethesda, Maryland and son Andrew Rader and Meryl Rome of Parkland, Florida. His grandsons and granddaughters, David, Bradley, Dustin, Ty, Kaia, Spencer and Hannah and great grandchildren, Gideon, Landon and Bracha, loved his “generous spirit, kindness and willingness to accept change.” He also left behind his adored sister Gloria and brother in law, Bill Katz of East Meadow, New York and many friends and relatives.

A memorial service will beheld at Boulevard Riverside Chapel in Hewlett, New York on December 27 and shivah arrangements were being determined.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Jewish War Veterans, the Anti-Defamation League or the Equal Justice Initiative.