East Torresdale is mourning the recent death of one of its greatest-ever community advocates and volunteers. Bernard M. Reidenberg, 96, passed away on April 17.
Reidenberg was a retired interior decorator and a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, but he will also be remembered for his decades of service to the East Torresdale Civic Association, the residents’ association of Delaire Landing, the 65th Democratic Ward and numerous other community-based groups.
Reidenberg served for many years as first vice president and legislative director for the ETCA. In that capacity, he regularly chaired monthly general meetings and was the organization’s point man on hundreds of neighborhood improvement efforts.
He was in near constant contact with elected officials and government administrators on the local and state levels.
In a feature article on him published by the Northeast Times on Nov. 8, 1995, Reidenberg described the type of work that he did with the ETCA.
“This letter is asking me to help get a street with potholes repaved,” Reidenberg said while holding up some civic association correspondence. “Another [letter] is asking me to work on a problem concerning an illegal towing operation. I’m very persistent. I stay on the job until it’s finished, no matter how long it takes.”
For the same article, City Councilwoman Joan Krajewski said that Reidenberg was a selfless community advocate.
“He doesn’t seek gratitude for his work. He does everything quietly,” Krajewski said.
Reidenberg did the same for his political associates, including Krajewski and state Rep. Michael McGeehan.
A former employee of Kraft Industries, Reidenberg increased his volunteer activities following his 1991 retirement.
He was a member of the Delaire Landing Town Watch and the Kraus-Pearlstein Lodge №8 of Beth Shalom.
“I never see my husband. He’s always on the telephone, helping someone with a problem or attending a meeting,” Reidenberg’s wife, Bea, told the Times in 1995.
Bea Reidenberg was also an active member of the ETCA. In addition to his wife, Bernie Reidenberg is survived by his sons Robert and Louis, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Contributions in his memory may be sent to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 600 Reed Road, Suite 104, Broomall, PA 19008.
Reporter William Kenny can be reached at 215–354–3031 or [email protected]
