Bernard J. Shainbrown

His life journey would have him live on three different continents. Born in Lublin, Poland, Bernie and his parents relocated to La Paz, Bolivia when he was only three years old. After WWII, the family immigrated to the United States and settled in Brooklyn, New York. He would go on to master speaking four different languages. After high school, Bernie enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Jacksonville NAS. While serving, he enrolled at Jacksonville University where he would earn his accounting degree and later become a CPA. He would later become president of the J.U. Alumni Association and after graduation was employed with the accounting Rieders & Fink Co., which later merged with J.K. Lasser & Co. before forming a partnership Jaffe, Shainbrown and Grenadier, P.A. In 1987, he was appointed by Jacksonville Mayor Tommy Hazouri to serve as Director of Finance for the City of Jacksonville. After his stint of public service, he returned to the private sector as a CPA until his retirement three years ago.

His genuine love for Jacksonville never wavered after his navy days as he resided in the Bold New City of the South for over 50 years. He was very active in numerous community organizations and built many longstanding personal and professional relationships that lasted throughout his life. Over the years, he became President of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, President of the Mental Health Association, President of the Toastmasters and was a past Board Member of Florida Community College at Jacksonville and a Member of the Masonic Order.

Baseball was his first love as he grew up a Brooklyn Dodgers' fan. In his adult life, he became a dedicated supporter of the annual Gator Bowl football game and Gator Bowl basketball tournament. He was also a longtime supporter of J.U. basketball, his alma mater, and enjoyed attending University of Florida football games.

He also was a longstanding board member of the River Garden Hebrew Home for the Aged, a position he passionately held for many years. He was a past or present member of the Etz Chaim Synagogue, the Jacksonville Jewish Center, Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple), Congregation Beth El and the Jewish Community Alliance.

Among the activities he enjoyed most was enjoying family, traveling and vacationing in the North Carolina mountains. Throughout his life, he often exemplified the mitzvah (or good deed) of expressing acts of human kindness and showing respect to the less fortunate.

He is survived by his wife Ina Richter, brother Dr. Stanley Shainbrown (Miriam), daughter Lynda Richey, son Mark Shainbrown (Kandi), grandchildren Sarah & Tori Richey and Zachary Shainbrown, nephews Ian Shainbrown (Ilyse) and Dr. Lee Shainbrown (Danielle) and their children.

His extended family included stepchildren Karen Richter Shafer (Bob), Leslie Richter Harlow (Gary) and Robert Richter (Shelli) along with their children. He is also survived by numerous others who personally touched his life in a very special way.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 PM Monday (today), November 29th at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 4115 Hendricks Avenue, followed by a graveside service at Temple Cemetery located in Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the River Garden Hebrew Home for the Aged, 11401 Old Saint Augustine Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32258 www.rivergarden.org or any other charity.