Obituary of Hersch Bornstein
Harry Hersch Wolf Bornstein
Passed away on Sunday, April 19, 2020. Hersch was a child survivor of the Holocaust and predeceased by his Father, Bernhardt Bornstein and sisters Anna and Ella Bornstein (who perished in Auschwitz). His mother Erla Regina Glucksman Bornstein passed away in 1970. He is also predeceased by his beloved grandson Sam Wyatt Caswell.
Hersch was born in Cologne, Germany on February 22, 1933. In 1938, his father and grandfather were deported to the Warsaw ghetto, where they later perished. Hersch’s mother was left to care for her four children. When the family needed to separate in order to survive, Hersch was sent to a Catholic orphanage. He left the orphanage when he felt it unsafe and, throughout the war, wandered alone, hiding on farms and in the forest. The experience of living through the Holocaust as a child only strengthened his faith. He came to the United States in 1950 and settled in Rochester, New York. He graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School and University of Rochester in electrical engineering and optics. He was employed by Rochester Telephone Company for 47 years as a Frame Tech/Service Consultant. Hersch enjoyed spending time with his wife Carolyn, family and friends. He was a lover of nature, animals, gardening, geography, history, travel, music, cooking, dancing and continuous learning. He spoke six languages. His strength and perseverance and positive attitude were legacies he shared with everyone he loved. His quick wit and beautiful sense of humor were present every day of his life as he exuded joy and gratitude.
Hersch is survived by his loving wife Carolyn Singer Bornstein, daughters, Ellen (Dave), Jenny (George), and Liza (Eric), his grandchildren, Joseph, Hannah, Amanda, Rachel and Adena, and 4 great-grandchildren, and a brother, Walter Bornstein and one niece, Jennifer Singer and three nephews, Michael Singer, Dan Bornstein and John Bornstein.
Funeral services will be private. A celebration of Hersch’s life will be planned in the future.
Donations may be sent to Chabad of Rochester, 1037 South Winton Road, Rochester, NY 14618 [LINK] or the JNF Tree Center at https://usa.jnf.org/jnf-tree-planting-center/ or a charity of your choice.
