Bernard Lite
April 4, 1919 ~ July 11, 2018
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Bernard “Bernie” Lite passed away peacefully surrounded by love on July 11, 2018, at the age of 99.
Born in Poland on April 4, 1919, as Bernard Israelite, his family emigrated from Poland to Detroit in 1920, and finally to the Bronx, NY, to begin a new life. Bernie lived a diverse life: he served in the Navy during WWII from 1941-1945; his career was devoted to working in retail clothing sales and management which inspired his classic fashion sense.
Bernie moved to Asheville, NC, in 1994 and took pride in his new career as a security guard at Sears before “officially” retiring at the age of 80. Bernie lived independently well into his 99th year, and as the longest standing member of the Jewish Family Services Elder Club, he was always the first to welcome new members to make them feel at home. With an easy laugh and a heart of gold, and a smile that could light up a room, Bernie’s honest and gentle demeanor was universally loved by all who crossed his path.
A graveside service for family and friends will be held at the Lou Pollack Memorial Park on Friday, July 13 at 10:00 a.m. Following the service, all friends and family are invited to a reception and light meal in memory and celebration of Bernie’s life. The reception will be from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Jewish Family Services of WNC, 417 Biltmore Ave., 2 Doctor’s Park, Suite E in Asheville.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to be directed to “Elder Club Scholarships” and sent to: Jewish Family Services of WNC, 2 Doctors Park, Suite E, Asheville, NC 28801 or online at www.jfswnc.org.
Bernie is fondly remembered as a loving father, grandfather, and friend. He is survived by his son, Harold Lite; his daughters Elaine Lite and Lisa Lite-Rottmann; two grandchildren, Rachael Lite-Fisher and Robert Marc Rottmann; a cousin, Susie Lipsey, of NY; and niece, Linda Gurwitz, of Detroit.
His loving heart will inspire us always.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
I worked with Bernie at Tweeds of New Hyde park in Ny. Bernie was a wonderful time with a great sense of humor and terrific disposition! He was always someone that I could rely on and I liked and trusted him completely.
It’s a wonderful tribute posted above and I will always cherish our long retail days together
Warm regards
Jim Kelly