General Information

Full Name: Bernard F. Kaplan
Date of Death: Saturday, March 15, 2025

Bernard F. Kaplan, (“Bernie”) passed away peacefully on March 15, 2025, at the age of 91. Bernie was the devoted husband of Esther Kaplan (nee Osofsky), beloved father of Ken and his wife Rachyl, and Peter and his wife Amy. He was also the brother of Judy Rosenberg, the cherished grandfather of Luke, Noah, Madeline, and Jack, and the proud uncle to his nieces and nephews.

Bernie was born and raised on a dairy farm in Wayne, NJ. Growing up, he was an avid sports fan attending many Brooklyn Dodgers games and New York Rangers games. But his passion was baseball; he founded the first baseball team at the Wayne PAL, was a Little League coach extraordinaire, and was even known for his ability to correct inaccuracies in baseball documentaries. 

In 1955, Bernie graduated from Indiana University and subsequently obtained his law degree from New York University. In his mid-twenties, he founded his law firm while sitting at his parents’ kitchen table, and soon thereafter, opened an office in his house. From that foundation, the firm flourished, fueled by Bernie’s small-town values and steadfast commitment to his clients.

In 1968, Bernie met his true love, Esther, in East Hampton and proposed two months later. Outside of the office, Bernie was a “hands-on” dad who coached his sons’ teams until they reached high school. At the high school level and beyond, he attended all games regardless of weather or distance, where coaches and players dubbed him “Bernie the Attorney.” 

Upon retirement, Bernie made several presentations to civic organizations in Wayne called “Wayne -A Century Plus.” The presentation included pictures and stories of the community before its expansion from a farm town to its present more industrialized state.

Bernie was a creature of habit, spending every lunch break on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, for nearly fifty years, at the Wayne YMHA exercising. Anyone who saw him at the Wayne Y or elsewhere can attest to the fact that he had a remarkable memory for names and faces. He never missed the chance to strike up a conversation and always made you feel like an old friend. He was a charismatic storyteller who captivated his audience with his tales of the past. 

Above all else, Bernie’s family meant more to him than anything in the world, and he cherished the time he spent with them. He will truly be missed by all those who had the pleasure and privilege of knowing him. 

Shiva will be observed on Tuesday from 4:00pm to 8:00pm and Wednesday from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at Rachyl and Ken’s home. Shiva will also be held on Thursday afternoon from 2:00pm to 4:00pm and Thursday evening from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Esther’s home in Wayne.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation in Bernie’s honor to one of the following:

• Tuesday’s Children 9/11 Fund: 390 Pandome Rd, Suite 215, Manhasset NY 11030, tuesdayschildren.org
• FIDF: Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, PO Box 4224, NY, NY 10163, supportfidf.org
• The Nan A. Lightstone Memorial Scholarship: (Mail only) Sterling B. Lightstone, 111 Maine Avenue, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002