Bernard Jerome Speyer Obituary (1932 - 2023)

Bernard Speyer, 91, passed away on February 6, 2023. Preceded in death by his beloved wife, Helen L. Speyer and parents, Ben and Rose Speyer. He is survived by daughters, Barbara (Richard) Rosenblatt and Suzanne (Sam) Rosenthall; sons, Bennett (Mandy Lyons) Speyer and Joel (Deb Lefman) Speyer; grandchildren, Evan (Alissa) and Michael Speyer, Andrew (Emily), Samuel and Jacob Rosenblatt and Adam, Jonathan and Alex Rosenthall; and great grandchildren, Avery and Oliver Rosenblatt. Bernie was born in Cleveland, Ohio and grew up in Ashtabula before moving to Columbus. He attended The Ohio State University where he was a member of the TEP fraternity and remained a lifelong fan of everything OSU, standing out even amongst the many other die-hard Buckeye fans. He shared his love for OSU football with his family and friends, attending hundreds of home and away games over the years and holding legendary tailgate picnics before games. Bernie lived in NYC for several years after college where he developed a love for Broadway musicals which he also shared with his family. Bernie was devoted to his wife and children and was a hands-on father and true family man. He was always home from work in time for a cocktail with Helen and family dinner. He excelled at making "daddy burgers" and loved to use his grill. He finished the basement, turning it into an OSU shrine where he displayed his significant collection of OSU memorabilia, complete with a Block O tile floor. The basement bathroom included a maize and blue toilet with "Lake Michigan" hand lettered in the toilet bowl and Bo Shembechler toilet paper. He was a Scout leader and President of the Temple Israel Brotherhood. He led his family on long road trips to visit family and see notable sites up and down the east coast from Boston to Miami with Simon and Garfunkel or a broadway show playing over the 8-track. He drove Joel around the neighborhood early each morning to help him with his newspaper delivery route. Later in life Bernie enjoyed traveling to Israel and Europe with Helen and to visit his beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren in Toledo, Maryland, and Detroit. He had the joy of seeing all 8 of his grandsons celebrate their Bar Mitzvahs and was able to attend the wedding of one of them. After being diagnosed with, and successfully treated for, prostate cancer, Bernie became a spokesperson for the James at Ohio State to bring awareness to their clinical trials which saved his life. He was also a proud volunteer there. After losing his wife, Bernie moved to Creekside Village where he made a whole new set of friends, sharing stories of his travels, his family, and his Buckeyes. He remained active there as the Social Committee Chair and never missed a happy hour. Bernie once said "I am having a good time with life. I've learned to accept my role, find pleasure in my blessings, and take advantage of my opportunities." Today a Script Ohio is missing its dot. He will be sorely missed. In lieu of flowers donations are preferred to Congregation Temple Israel Religious School. (www.templeisrael.org) Graveside services will be held at 11:30am, Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at Forest Lawn-Temple Israel, 5600 E Broad Street, Columbus. Shiva will be the following times: Wednesday, 2/8 from 5-7 at the home of Bennett Speyer and Mandy Lyons and Thursday, 2/9 from 2-4, Creekside Village (Buckeye Room), 2200 Welcome Place, Columbus, 43209