Emanuel Bernstein

Emanuel Bernstein, of Hershey, Pa., formerly of Sykesville, died Aug. 1, 2008. He was 72.

Born May 11, 1936, in Philadelphia, to Daniel and Mildred Whedbee Bernstein, he spent the first five years of his childhood in an orphanage, where he suffered malnutrition and Rheumatic fever.

He was then raised by an aunt, his grandmother and his father. Family members recall that he spent most of his childhood "running the streets of Philly." He graduated in 1953 from West Philadelphia High School, where he was on the basketball team.

In 1960, Mr. Bernstein graduated from Chiropractic College in Laurelton, Del.

Mr. Bernstein opened his own chiropractic office in Camp Hill, Pa., in the early 1960s. During that time, he also worked a night shift at the Navy Parks Supply Depot in Mechanicsburg, Pa.

After deciding to close his chiropractic practice, he relocated to Baltimore in 1966 and went to work in a shipyard in the city.

In the 1960s, he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserves and was discharged a few years later.

He married Aline Margaret Rock in 1967.

Mr. Bernstein then began working as a typist in 1968 for the Social Security Administration's National Headquarters in Woodlawn, where he was employed for 27 years. He retired in 1995 as a federal government grade 12, after overseeing a staff of people and assisting in writing and reviewing Social Security claims policies.

Family members recall that he was a member of Toastmaster's International and the Carroll County Optimist Club. He enjoyed raising his son and coaching his son's basketball, baseball and soccer teams. He eventually became a licensed soccer referee. Mr. Bernstein liked caring for his garden, fruit trees, house and cars in Sykesville. Other hobbies included playing Bridge, chess and following the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies baseball teams.

He is also remembered for caring for his ailing wife Aline and his father during the 1990s.

Mr. Bernstein relocated to Hershey in 2000 to be close to his son, Ritchie, daughter-in-law, Kelly, and his granddaughters Allie and Hannah. He enjoyed visiting his family each weekend, bringing lemonade and desserts.

He was predeceased by his wife of 33 years, Aline Bernstein, who died in 2000.

In addition to his son, daughter-in-law and granddaughters, Mr. Bernstein is survived by a stepdaughter, Gale Bruns Marsigilia and her husband, Carroll Marsigilia, of Finksburg; three stepgrandchildren, Andy Marsigilia, of St. Louis, Diana Marsigilia, of Miami, and Amanda Marsigilia Bond, of Hanover, Pa.; and close friends, Dorothy and Bobby Carroll, of Sykesville.

A graveside service is slated for Friday, Aug. 8, 11 a.m., at Crest Lawn Memorial Park in Marriottsville.

Memorial donations may be made to Hershey Christian School, 1525 Sand Hill Road, Hummelstown, PA 17033.

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