Stuart J. Bernstein

Stuart was born in Chicago, Illinois, in post-WWII. He had a quiet childhood and at 16 dropped out of high school, lying about his age, to join the Army Medical Corps. He was trained as both a combat medic and as an x-ray technician. It was during his time stationed at Fort Sam Houston in the late fifties that he met his future bride, Joan Greenberg, at a lox and bagels brunch put on by the Jewish Welfare Board… and so began their amazing love story.

After leaving the military, Stuart worked as an x-ray technician at Santa Rosa Hospital where he even delivered 2 babies, one on an x-ray table and one in a taxi outside the ER. He briefly worked for Singer sewing machines, but his family began to grow, he started working for Nordhaus Foods, later to become Sysco Foods. He was with them for 47 years both as a salesman and later as an account executive designing a program for military sales.

Stuart had a unique sense of humor and loved to laugh. His closest family and friends understood that his teasing was a testament to how much he loved them.

Having many interests, he traveled all over the world, especially if a casino was involved. He enjoyed gardening, raising tropical fish, golfing, eating great food, Chinese being his favorite, and photography. In a way, he served as his family’s historian by chronicling all milestones, family events, and trips with the click of his camera or making movies for the last 60 years.

He was an active member for many years at Agudas Achim Synagogue. He was the bingo caller at the building on Donaldson, volunteered at the Israeli Festival and joined the choir so he could sit with Joan during services. He also served as a BBYO advisor for many years.

Sadly, after 58 years of marriage, Stuart was predeceased by his wife, Joan. He is survived by his three children: Lauri, Marci (Robert), and Steven (Paige), his six grandchildren: Nathaniel, Caitlin (Will), Cassidy, Cheyenne, Jordan, and Alex; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends. They all know he will enjoy being with Joan again for eternity.

Graveside services will be held at Agudas Achim Memorial Gardens at 2:00 PM on November 1, 2023. Honorary Pallbearers are Marvin Aboloff, Jim Nordhaus, Bernard Rabinowitz, and Fred Wartell. Pallbearers are Nathaniel Bernstein, Xavier Colbert, William Jennings, Jack Kanter, Mark Kanter, and Jim Desbrow.

The family wishes in lieu of flowers you make a memorial contribution to Agudas Achim synagogue cemetery fund in Stuart’s memory.

Congregation Agudas Achim; 16550 Huebner Rd. San Antonio, TX 78248

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