Joseph J. Bernstein Obituary (2008)

Thursday, Jack was declared dead ….for the second time. He was 85. Sixty-five years ago, another article appeared in the Kansas City Star; the headline read, "And a Boy Dies At Sea." It told the story of a young Kansas Citian in greasy overalls working on a merchant marine tanker- the boy and the tanker lost at sea when an enemy torpedo struck. Insurance benefits were paid and he was given up for dead, by all but his family. "We were deeply grieved to hear of the death of your son," the letter to his mother read. "He set an example in heroism and patriotism for all of us." True to his nature, and always the fighter, Jack put on another tough battle this time around. There were times we actually thought he would stage another one of his miraculous recoveries, but it was not to be. His body was just too worn out and the extended warranty had expired long ago. That he had survived this long was testimony to his grit and character. Jack lived a full life, and at times a tough one. On June 6, 1942, he was aboard the tanker, SS Stanvac Calcutta when the German Raider, Stier, sank it 500 miles off the coast of Brazil. 14 merchant seamen and 3 Navy gun crew were killed in the attack. The survivors were transferred to a German freighter and dropped in Japan. On November 20, 1942, the War Department issued death certificates for all the crewmembers. It wasn't until 1943, Washington learned that 27 crewmembers of the Calcutta were alive and prisoners of war at Camp Fukuoka in Japan. The POW camp was near the primary drop site for the second atomic bomb. When weather runs over Kokura did not go smoothly, the visibility obscured by smoke and cloud cover, the plane carrying "Fat Man," the second atomic bomb, flew to the next target on the list: the industrial city of Nagasaki. Twice Jack had beaten death. He often remarked, "I am living on borrowed time," and he tried not to waste it. Among other things, he was a businessman, a salesman, a baker, a bottler, a restaurateur, a pilot, a policeman, a horseman, a Mason, a Shriner, a husband and a dad. He was instrumental in getting benefits and status for Merchant Marines and helped start the Heart of America Chapter of POW's in Kansas City. At 11:35pm, he opened his eyes for the last time, looked around and closed them. His breathing gradually slowed, making his passing peaceful and quiet. His sons were at his side, each holding a hand, when he took his final breath. All who knew him will miss him dearly. Joseph J. Bernstein, born May 5, 1923 in Natchez, Mississippi, was 85. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Florence Bernstein; a brother, Israel Bernstein of Cincinnati, OH; sister, Isabel Wagner of Kansas City; his sons Mark, Bruce and Craig Bernstein; three grandchildren: Marissa, Samantha and Curt, many nieces and nephews and his beloved dog of 17 years, Peanut. Jack wished to be buried at sea in a Naval Ceremony. Instead of flowers (we have a magnificent garden full of them) the family requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice in his memory.