Barney Epstein, 96, of Millersville, Pa., passed away Dec. 27, 2013, after a long illness. The husband of Evelyn G. (Bloom) Epstein for 43 years, he is the brother-in-law of Rosyne Gardenswartz.
Rabbi Stephan O. Parnes officiated at the Dec. 29 service at Temple Beth El in Lancaster. Interment followed at Temple Beth El Cemetery in Lititz, Pa. Andrew T. Scheid Funeral Home made the arrangements.
Barney was a mensch, a wonderful son, husband, father and zayde, the family said.
An active member of Temple Beth El, he rejuvenated the Mens Club and served on the fundraising committee of the new synagogue as well as the sanctuary committee.
A self-taught artisan, Mr. Epstein made silver jewelry and mezuzzot. He also crafted Judaica-themed dioramas and an Aron Kodesh out of hand-carved wood.
Mr. Epstein was born Oct. 1, 1917, in Newark, NJ, to the late Jacob and Sadie (Abramowitz) Epstein.
He delivered lox and bagels for Rose Dairy as a boy. During WW II, he was a toolmaker at Edison Labs and made projects necessary for the war effort. He was exempt from military service.
Mr. Epstein later owned and operated a Laundromat in Newark and then an appliance and repair business.
After he retired at 72, he taught himself to type, use a computer, and joined his wife in her marketing business. Mr. Epstein learned press proofing and other phases of the business, which kept him out of the pool hall, the family said.
He also belonged to Shaarai Shomayim in Lancaster.
Mr. Epstein is survived by his wife Evelyn Epstein; four children, Barbara Margolis of Michigan, Marge (Chuck) Gordon of New Jersey, Sarah Alpert of Israel and Daniel (Laura) Alpert of Berkeley, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; sister Florence Joffe of New York, and sister-in-law Rosyne Gardenswartz of Denver.
He was predeceased by his son Scott Alpert in 1995.
Contributions may be made to Hospice and Community Care, 685 Good Dr., PO Box 4125, Lancaster, 17604; or Temple Beth El, 1836 Rohrerstown Rd., Lancaster, 17601.
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