Obituary: Norman Berenback Of Brewster

From the Beecher Funeral Home

Norman Berenback, of Brewster, NY, died peacefully at his home on July 4, 2020. He was 96 years old.

He was born on September 26, 1923 in NYC, NY son of the late Louis and Ray (Gold) Berenback. On September 8, 1945 he married the love of his life Shirley Riesenberg. Together they moved to Brewster, NY in 1958 to raise their children.

Norman honorably served in the US Army during WWII and the US Coast Guard. He enlisted into the Army during WWII and was sent to North Africa; luckily he was taken off a ship and placed on the Queen Mary — that first ship was destroyed in an attack and everyone died. In London he was working on code breaking in the basement of a building that was bombed, killing many.

Norman was crucial during the preparations for D-Day, he worked on the radio communications for weeks before to be able to properly fulfill the attack, he invented code breaking technology to help overcome the Germans. Finally, he assisted with liberating a concentration camp where many of his family members perished.

In the Coast Guard he was a flotilla commander.

Norman was an Electrical Engineer with NY Telephone for over 38 years before he retired.

Mr. Berenback was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. His family was his everything. He was an active member of the Temple Beth Elohim and was a Sunday School teacher. He started Boy Scout Troup #252 in Brewster and was a Cub Scout Master. Norman was a kind, gentle and determined person and will be missed by many.

Mr. Berenback is survived by loving wife Shirley, his two children: Debra Berenback-Gold and Steven Berenback and his fiancée Marcia Pio Leite and his 3 grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sister Fran Siegel.

A graveside service was held on Monday July 6, 2020 at King David Cemetery, Putnam Valley, NY. Beecher Funeral Home, Brewster, NY assisted the family with arrangements.

Please visit Beecherfuneralhome.com to send condolences.