Chairman of the Board until his death, is led
by his daughter Anne and continues to own
and operate commercial and retail properties
throughout the United States. He was the
Chairman of the Board Emeritus of NFI, Sun
Bancorp and Citizens United Bank. In 1960,
Mr. Brown was a founder of Citizens United
Bank, which was DEATH
later NOTICES
sold in 1983. In 1986,
he was founder of Sun Bancorp, a small, re-
gional bank that operated more than 50
branches and was ultimately listed on the
NASDAQ. Bernie loved sports and although it
was short lived, he was the owner of the Phil-
adelphia Blazers, a World Hockey Associ-
ation franchise in 1971. He was the first own-
er to give a million dollar contract to a pro-
fessional hockey player. Mr. Brown even
owned a horse farm in Vineland where he
bred and raced horses under the stable name
of Redwood Acres. Business was a huge part
of Mr. Brown's life but it was not the only
thing that defined him. He was a man who
cared deeply about his family and his com-
munity. Bernie is survived by his wife Shirlee,
whom he loved and admired. She was the
solid foundation that allowed him to pursue
his dreams. They would have been married
70 years this coming February. Mr. and Mrs.

Brown believed in giving back to the com-
munity and never forgot their roots. Over the
years Mr. and Mrs. Brown supported numer-
ous local and national organizations with
their time and philanthropy. In the mid-
1960's Mr. Brown was instrumental in found-
ing the Cumberland County Community Col-
lege, where he believed that quality, afford-
able education should be accessible to all. As
an original founding member and Trustee of
Cumberland County Community College he
served as Chairman of the Board from 1972
through 1975. In 1991, he was awarded an
honorary Associates of Arts degree from
Cumberland County Community College. In
2008 the Shirlee and Bernard Brown Uni-
versity Center opened on the campus to sup-
port student life. Mr. Brown also served on
the Board of Trustees at the former New-
comb Hospital and was a director and mem-
ber of the Vineland YMCA. He was the Direct-
or of the Arthritis Foundation at Hahnemann
University Medical Center in Philadelphia. Mr.

and Mrs. Brown were also active supporters
of the Vineland United Way and the Jewish
Federation of Cumberland County. In 2004
they joined the Department of Ophthalmo-
logy Advisory Board of the Harkness Eye In-
stitute at Columbia University. They en-
dowed a glaucoma research laboratory at
Columbia University in 2005 and in 2007 they
established the Shirlee and Bernard Brown
Professorship of Glaucoma at Columbia.

Later, in 2018, they established the Shirlee
and Bernard Brown Glaucoma Genetics Initi-
ative Fund at Columbia University. Mr. and
Mrs. Brown established the Edward Viner In-
tensive Care Unit at Cooper Hospital, donated
to the Humanism Center at Cooper Medical
School of Rowan University and endowed a
scholarship fund for the Cooper Medical
School of Rowan University. In 2006 Mr. and
Mrs. Brown established scholarships at the
Jewish Theological Seminary in New York
City. He was the President of Beth Israel Con-
gregation in Vineland serving two non-con-
secutive terms and a supporter of the Jewish
Federation of Palm Beach County. Mr. Brown
was a thirty-second degree mason. Bernie
Brown was larger than life and an icon in the
trucking industry. He was able to impact the
lives of many through his hard work and gen-
erous spirit. He will be deeply missed by all
who knew him. Bernard A. Brown was pre-
ceded in death by his parents, Israel and
Anna Brown; brother Sidney Brown and sis-
ter Reba Shuman. He is lovingly survived by
his wife Shirlee (nee Greenblatt); children
Anne Koons, Ike (Candy) Brown, Sid (Sandy)
Brown, Jeff (Tracy) Brown; ten grandchil-
dren, three great-grandchildren and niece
Barbara Weinstein. Memorial contributions in
honor of Bernard A. Brown can be donated to
the Cooper Foundation at Cooper Hospital, 3
Cooper Plaza, Suite 500 Camden, NJ 08103
or The Cooper Medical School at Rowan Uni-
versity 401 South Broadway, Camden, NJ
08103. RONE FUNERAL SERVICE
C ommunity / deaths
DEATH NOTICES
BROWN Bernard A. Brown, the visionary behind Na-
tional Freight, Inc., one of the oldest trucking
companies in the United States and the pre-
decessor to the third-party logistics leader
NFI, died on January 14, at the age of 96, at
his home in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Mr.

Brown was formerly of Philadelphia and Vine-
land, NJ. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
into a family that fled Europe from religious
persecution, Mr. Brown embodied the Amer-
ican dream. At the age of nine, Bernie, as he
was affectionately known, and his family
moved to Vineland, New Jersey. He gradu-
ated from Vineland High School in 1942 and
went on to attend Temple University, but left
prior to graduating to help his father with his
business. At an early age, Mr. Brown was en-
amored with the trucking business that his
father started. Following the untimely death
of his father, at age twenty-six he had the vis-
ion and courage to take a small company op-
erating a few small dump trucks and turn it
into one of the most respected trucking com-
panies in the country. Mr. Brown embodied
all of the attributes of a self-made business-
man. He quickly figured out that business
was all about relationships. In the early part
of his career, he created contracts with the
government, hauling supplies and goods that
supported the military through World War II.

He formed partnerships with local glass man-
ufacturers in South Jersey which ultimately
led to contracts with the largest companies in
the United States. Mr. Brown was a trail-
blazer in the trucking industry and was at the
forefront of federal transportation regula-
tions in the 1980's. His work led to the ac-
ceptance of high-cube trailers and the expan-
sion from traditional 48 foot trailers to 53, 55
and eventually 57 foot trailers. In 1988, he
was honored as the Man of the Year by the
New Jersey Motor Truck Association. He
knew the importance of hard work and per-
severance as he led his company through
wars, recessions, natural disasters and de-
regulation. Most importantly, he knew that
his employees were his company's most im-
portant asset and he continued his relation-
ships with many of his colleagues and veter-
an drivers following his retirement. His vis-
ion and spirit led to what ultimately became
of the largest and most successful, family-
owned and operated, third-party logistics
companies in North America, NFI. Today, that
company employs more than 14,000 employ-
ees, operates over 250 locations in the United
States and Canada and serves the largest and
most sophisticated shippers in the world. To
this day, his sons' continue to own and oper-
ate the legacy freight business that was star-
ted in 1932. Mr. Brown's entrepreneurial
spirit did not start and end in the trucking
business. He was a real estate investor,
founder of two banks and an owner of a pro-
fessional hockey team. Mr. Brown saw the
natural extension of his transportation busi-
ness and invested in warehousing and real
estate. His real estate company, Vineland
Construction Company, of which he was the
Chairman of the Board until his death, is led
by his daughter Anne and continues to own
and operate commercial and retail properties
throughout the United States. He was the
Chairman of the Board Emeritus of NFI, Sun
Bancorp and Citizens United Bank. In 1960,
Mr. Brown was a founder of Citizens United
Bank, which was later sold in 1983. In 1986,
he was founder of Sun Bancorp, a small, re-
gional bank that operated more than 50
branches and was ultimately listed on the
26 JANUARY
2021 and although it
NASDAQ. Bernie loved 28, sports
was short lived, he was the owner of the Phil-
adelphia Blazers, a World Hockey Associ-
ation franchise in 1971. He was the first own-
A Community Remembers
Monthly archives of Jewish Exponent
Death Notices are available online.

www.JewishExponent.com DEATH NOTICES
DEATH NOTICES
DEATH NOTICES
BERMAN DAFILOU
GOLDEN/BRODKIN Arnold Berman, January 14, 2021 of Phil-
adelphia, Pa. passed away peacefully at the
age of 95. Devoted husband of the late Joan
(nee Dickler). Loving companion of Elaine
Lutz. Beloved father of Ellis (Jody) Berman,
Jay Berman (Genia of blessed memory,
Elisa), and Ronald (Sharon) Berman. Brother
of the late Sylvia Walace and the late Morton
Berman. He will be deeply missed by broth-
ers and sisters-in law Leatrice Dickler,
Mickey & Marvin Dickler, and Gerri & Ron
Fash. Zadye Arn loved the shore and was of-
ten surrounded by his ten grandchildren, fif-
teen great-grandchildren, and friends & fam-
ily. Due to Covid-19, services and interment
were private. Contributions in his memory
may be made to a charity of the donor's
choice. JOSEPH LEVINE and SONS
www.levinefuneral.com COPE
Mary Grace Heller Cope died January 10,
2021, Yardley, PA (Alzheimer’s Disease/COV-
ID-19). Mary was born June 10,1934 in
Englewood, NJ. She was extremely proud to
be one of the first International exchange stu-
dents to Germany with American Field Ser-
vice (AFS) after WWII. She is an Oberlin Col-
lege graduate and received a masters degree
from Radcliffe. In 1957 she married Con-
stantin Cope, M.D. They were married for 59
years. Eventually they ended up living and
raising their children in Cheltenham, PA. She
was on executive committees for local
chapters of: The League of Women Voters,
American Cancer Society, AFS-American
Field Service, Cheltenham Township Govern-
ment Study Commission, PTA, School Board
Candidate, President of The Cheltenham
Adult School, Board member of The Chelten-
ham Art Center and The Elkins Park Library.

Mary was awarded a citation from The House
of Representatives of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania for her exemplary record of ser-
vice. In 2004, she and her husband retired
and spent several happy years enjoying the
high desert mountains of Bend, Oregon. She
loved her family and friends dearly. She en-
joyed: The NY Times Crossword Puzzles, ten-
nis, singing, performing with the Sweet Ad-
elines, playing clarinet in her local senior
band in Bend, OR, theater, weight-lifting,
traveling, animals and her dogs: Micros,
Amelia and Peris. (Father)George Heller,
M.D., (Mother)Dorothy Lubin Heller, M.D.,
(brother)David L. Heller, (husband)Con-
stantin Cope, M.D. She is survived by (broth-
er)George Heller II(Lucy Messick Heller),
(son)Leonard Cope(Susan DelPizzo Cope),
(son)Daniel Cope(Dawn Higginson Cope),
(daughter)Evelyn Stainthorpe, (daughter)M.

Constance Cope Franckle(William Franckle
IV, M.D.) and (son)James Cope(Vania Shih).

Grandchildren include: Michael Cope, James
Cope, Nicholas Cope, Danielle Cope Cox,
Timothy Cope, Kevin Cope, Matthew
Stainthorpe, Jehna Stainthorpe, Garrett
Franckle and Maxwell Franckle. Great Grand-
children include: Caden Cox, Ellie Cox, Jack-
son Cope, Oliver Cope, Emma Cope and
Cecilia Cope. A service will be announced in
the future. If you would like to donate in her
memory: Alzheimer’s Foundation, Animal
Shelters/Zoos, Oberlin College or your favor-
ite educational institution.

A Community
Remembers Monthly archives of
Jewish Exponent Death Notices
are available online.

www.JewishExponent.com HONOR THE MEMORY
OF YOUR LOVED ONE...

CALL 215-832-0749
JEWISH EXPONENT
Selma Irene Dafilou (nee Batt) born August 5,
1938 passed away Thursday, January 14,
2021. Wife of the late Donald Dafilou. Be-
loved mother of the late Steven (Lori) Dafilou
and David (Dr. Sharon Gertzman) Dafilou.

Grandmother of Sarah (Dr. Elliot) Canfield-
Dafilou, Emily (Joseph) Selvaggio, Benjamin,
Caleb and Jonah Dafilou, Rose Gertzman.

Sister of Dr. Murray (Carole) Batt and Stan-
ley (Nancy) Batt. Longtime active member of
Old York Road Temple Beth Am and the
League of Women Voters. Selma was a world
traveler who loved meeting people. She loved
going to the theater, spending time in her
garden, and being with her friends and fam-
ily. Donations in her memory can be made to
The Donald Dafilou Building Fund at OYRT-
Beth Am 971 Old York Road, Abington PA,
19001 or to The Steven Dafilou Tutoring
Fund at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy
500 W Willow Grove, Philadelphia PA 19118.

GOLDSTEINS' ROSENBERG'S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
DICHTER Claire Dichter (nee Grobman). Passed away
on January 17, 2021. Wife of the late Dr. Al-
bert Dichter. Mother of Sheryl Dichter,
Randee Winters (Gus), Helene Marczyk
(Geoffrey) and Gail Sugarman (Rob). Grand-
mother of Leksey and Noah. Private
Graveside Services were held at Haym Sa-
lomon Memorial Park. Contributions in her
memory may be made to Alzheimer’s Associ-
ation, www.alz.org/delval, or Jewish National
Fund, www.jnf.org.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
Edith Golden/Brodkin (nee Rosen) January
17, 2021 at 100 years of age after a life full of
family, elegance and love. Devoted wife of the
late Philip Brodkin and the late Eugene
Golden. Beloved mother of Amy (Stephen)
Gaylon, Jeffrey (Ellen) Brodkin and Mark
(Teresa) Brodkin. Proud grandmother of Al-
isa, Robin (Jeffrey), Alexander, Hailey
(Gregory), Hope, Kimberly, Paige and Philip
(Katie). Adoring great-grandmother of Trace,
Ryan, Jenna, Eric, Gavin, Katie, Sadie and
Lucy. A special thank you to an honorary
member of our family Sandra Brown for her
care and love. Due to Covid-19 Services and
Interment were private. Contributions in her
memory may be made to a charity of the
donor's choice.

JOSEPH LEVINE and SONS
www.levinefuneral.com GOLDMAN
Wilma Goldman, 76, of Malvern,
Pennsylvania, formerly of Philadelphia, died
on Saturday, January 16, 2021. She is sur-
vived by her Aunt Janet Cherry, sister-in-law,
Marilyn Goldman and her nieces and neph-
ews, Jeffrey (Ellen) Goldman, Michael
(Robyn) Goldman, and Dr. David (Lisa) Gold-
man, and six great-nephews and a great-
niece. Also survived by her cousins, Alisha
Dubb and Deborah Cherry. Preceded in death
by her parents Gertrude Cherry Goldman and
Joseph Goldman, brother Leonard Goldman
and six aunts and uncles. Funeral services
were private. Contributions in her memory
may be made to the Philadelphia Animal Wel-
fare Society (phillypaws.org) or National Alli-
ance on Mental Illness (NAMI.org).

GOLDSTEINS-ROSENBERG’S RAPHAEL-SACKS
www.goldsteinsfuneral.com KALINA
Leah Kalina, 91, Jan. 15, 2021, of Voorhees,
NJ. Wife of the late Gershon Press and the
late Harry Kalina. Mother of Shirley (William
Rapoport) Press and Barbara (Rob) Elkan.

Grandmother of Andrew, Gershon, Sarah,
Madeleine (Andrew) and Joshua. Great-
grandmother of Luna and Simon. Leah was a
Holocaust survivor. Contributions in her
memory can be made to Raab-Goodwin
Holocaust Museum and Education Center,
www.jcrcsnj.org/goodwin PLATT MEMORIAL CHAPELS, Inc.

Cherry Hill, NJ
FREED Carol Freed (nee Koff) passed away January
19, 2021. Beloved wife of Marvin Freed. Lov-
ing mother of Sharon Mosenkis(Rick), Diane
Cavanaugh (Paul), and Michael Freed (Lori).

Adoring Mommom of Laura Gianinni (Adam),
Julie Burke (Sean), Jocelyn Freed, Jordan
Freed, Adam Mosenkis, Ryan Mosenkis, and
five great-grandchildren. Dear sister of the
late Skip Koff. She was an avid golfer, pas-
sionate gardener and an accomplished pian-
ist, orchestra conductor and voice coach who
was known around Delaware County for her
work in local musical theater productions.

Contributions in her memory may be made to
a charity of the donor’s choice. Funeral ser-
vices are private.

GOLDSTEINS' ROSENBERG'S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
FRIEDMAN Vincent Friedman, Jan. 14, 2021. Husband of
the late Paula (nee Portnoy). Partner of Missy
Decker. Father of Ross (Fania) and Craig
Friedman. Brother of Diana (Ray) Greenberg.

Grandfather of Gianna. He was loved and will
be missed by all. Contributions in his
memory may be made to the Bucks County
SPCA, www.bcspca.org or to the Compre-
hensive Heart Failure Program at Abington –
Jefferson Health.

GOLDSTEINS' ROSENBERG'S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
KATZ Philip Isaiah Katz January 7, 2021, of Wyn-
newood, PA. Brother of Terry Katz and the
late Harry J. Katz. Son of the late Lawrence
and Selma Katz. Services and Interment
private. Contributions in his memory may be
made to Jewish National Fund or a charity of
the donor's choice.

JOSEPH LEVINE and SONS
www.levinefuneral.com KIRSCH
Theodore “Ted” Kirsch passed away January
19, 2021. Beloved husband of the late
Roberta Kirsch (nee Dechter). Loving father
of Jodie Lachman (Andy), and Joel Kirsch
(Emily). Adoring grandfather of Rachel,
Emma, Benjamin, and Gabrielle. Dear broth-
er of Phyllis Soufer (Danny). Also survived by
his companion of three years, Bev Davis.

Contributions in his memory may be made to
The Jewish National Fund for the “Ted Kirsch
Forest” www.jnf.org. Funeral services were
private. GOLDSTEINS' ROSENBERG'S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
A Community Remembers
Monthly archives of Jewish Exponent
Death Notices are available online.

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