Funeral Arrangements Set For Fallen Philadelphia Firefighter

PHILADELPHIA — Longtime Philadelphia Firefighter Michael Bernstein died after suffering a medical emergency Wednesday while responding to a call at the Philadelphia International Airport. Now, officials have released details on his funeral arrangements.

A viewing will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, March 25 at John F. Givnish Funeral Home, located at 10975 Academy Road in Philadelphia.

On Tuesday, March 26 at 8:45 a.m., a procession will leave from Engine 22 at Academy and Comly Roads, proceeding south on Academy to Givnish Funeral Home.

At the funeral home, a second viewing will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with a funeral service set for 12:30 p.m. at St. Jerome Church, 8100 Colfax St in Philadelphia.

Bernstein, 46, was a 22-year veteran of the department and is survived by his wife, three children, parents, and other family members.

See his full obituary, courtesy of Givnish Funeral Home, below:

Fire Fighter Michael J. Bernstein, of Philadelphia, passed away suddenly while serving the citizens of Philadelphia on March 20, 2019 at the age of 46. Michael is survived by his beloved wife Catherine (nee Shay); his loving children Michael, Victoria, and Jacob; his caring parents Jerry and Dale (nee Larkin) Bernstein; his siblings Robert (Susan), Daniel (John), and David (Jennifer); his in-laws Richard and Anne Shay; his brother-in-laws Richard Shay, Robert Shay (Nicole), and Michael (Anita) Shay; sister-in-laws Anne Martin (Dan) and Sandra Colfer (Michael). He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Michael's life began on October 6th, 1972 at Einstein Hospital. He was raised in Oxford Circle neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia. He was blessed with a loving Mom and Dad and his three little brothers: Robert, Danny, and the baby, Dave. He received his sacraments and education at St. Martin de Tours parish and school. With his full head of black hair and patched jean jacket, he went on to Mercy Technical School and graduated in 1990 focusing on plumbing.
He proudly stated that he never fixed a toilet or used any useful information the program offered him. After high school, he served in the United States Navy being deployed on a nuclear submarine working as a chef. For years later, he would use his naval culinary taste and skills to create meals for countless family parties. He would proudly tell anyone that his Naval service taught him many things, but most importantly, that Navy stood for the acronym: Never Again Volunteer Yourself. After the service he worked at Frank's Pizza in all capacities but mostly for his famed "driving skills". Later in his firefighting career, he would credit the lives he saved to the death defying, and sometimes getting him in trouble with his Superiors, driving maneuvers in the ambulance and ladders. The proudest moments of his life were just beginning when he was accepted to the Philadelphia Fire Academy. This watershed moment would define a man in his courage and loyalty. He met his future wife Cathy, from Juniata when he was happy with her and Kensington when he was upset, just before he began the Academy, thus sparing her the difficult decision not to fall in love with a fireman. The two were mainstays along Caster Avenue and the Roosevelt Boulevard until they were married in 1999 and moved to Gilham Street with a china cabinet that took 6 men and Mike's colorful language to carry up three sets of steps. Soon Mike's family grew again with the addition of his first born son, Michael, his beloved daughter Victoria, and his precious baby, Jacob. By 2004, Michael's house was filled with laughter, pizza, Mountain Dew, and all the diapers a man could desire. Michael loved Philadelphia sports, everything except basketball. He loved to take a wager now and then on football and lose the lottery weekly, especially the big ones. The Flyers filled his nights with brief moments of joy and larger amounts of frustration. But he was back cheering for Giroux and Provorov the next night. He would wear jerseys proudly and never more stylistic than on Eagle Sundays with his Brian Dawkins' jersey. You could find Mike seeking out players for their signature, never being above sending Michael and Jacob to acquire the sought prizes. He loved vacationing in Florida, especially Disney World to visit Dopey Dwarf, and the Phillies during Spring Training. Michael loved Christmas and began shopping for the extravaganza of gifts in early August, probably in anticipation of a few NFL losses in the late fall. His memorable time with Michael in Nashville was one of his favorite trips that gave him a Flyers hockey game and a Toby Keith concert. His love of Metallica and devotion to Victoria's One Direction would only be matched by enthusiasm for fashion: white Nikes, acid wash jeans, endless supply of Hard Rock t-shirts, and Eagles or Flyers hat. Michael was loved as he loved through his dedication to his family, his life as a firefighter, and his city. Michael received a letter of commendation in December of 2009.

Relatives and friends are invited to share in Michael's Life Celebration on Monday, March 25, 2019 from 5:00PM-8:00PM and Tuesday, March 26, 2019 from 9:30AM-11:30AM at John F. Givnish of Academy Rd. 10975 Academy Rd., Phila, PA 19154 and to participate in his funeral mass 12:30 PM at The Church of St. Jerome, 8100 Colfax St., Phila, PA 19136. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Mike's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 and Hero Scholarship Fund c/o Local 22 415 N. 5th St. Phila, PA 19123.