Bernard Rosen

It is with great sadness that family and friends say goodbye and yet with deep gratitude for a life shared. Bernard “Bernie” Hersh Rosen, a current resident of Bloomfield, CT and a lifelong Hartford native, was born April 14, 1929 and passed away on December 4, 2024. Bernie was the son of the late Samuel Rosen and Ida (Sack) Rosen. He was predeceased by his sister, Ruth Rosen Gartner; his brother Charles Rosen and his niece, Sheila Gartner Saxe. He leaves behind a nephew, William “Bill” Gartner. He was first and foremost a good man with a big heart and always loyal to his word. His many friends loved and respected him, appreciated his wit, generous spirit and sense of adventure. He was a successful educator, a military veteran and a gifted storyteller. He was committed to a life of educating others and influencing all who encountered him to diversify their perspective and learn something new daily. His beautiful life will forever be cherished. Bernie attended Weaver High School and graduated in 1947. He served in the Connecticut National Guard, servicing in the VA in Germany from 1950-1952. When he returned back home, with guidance from a great friend, entered the University of Hartford. As a student, he was a member of the Epsilon Alpha Zeta and Lambda Phi Alpha fraternities, student council, education club, Hillel and in 1960 received the “Who’s Who” prestigious award. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions (ENHP), graduating cum laude in 1961. He later earned his master’s in education from ENHP in 1966 and then went on to earn his 6th year degree from Southern Connecticut State College. Bernie dedicated decades of his life to education, beginning his career in 1961 as a teacher at South Windsor High School, where he worked until 1977. He then went on to New Britain Senior High School from 1971-1995, holding positions as an accounting and business law teacher, chairperson of the business department, vice principal and as housemaster, where he positively touched the lives of many teachers and students. Even in his retirement, he continued his service to education, working as a part-time substitute teacher and acting vice principal at Cromwell High School. For more than 50 years, Bernie has been passionately devoted to his alma mater. He was a loyal baseball fan and often attended Hartford games. Bernie’s Hartford baseball tradition was to lead fellow fans in the singing of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” in the seventh inning of home games and oftentimes pass out candy to the ball players who always looked forward to it. Being a Hartford native, he loved so many things about Hartford: the fine dining restaurants, local parks that he could walk to, including, the “galleries” of the Wadsworth Atheneum and attending plays at the Hartford Stage. He was an avid bridge player and a member of a bridge club. A lifetime student, from education, to music, to world history, his insatiable thirst for knowledge and sharp intelligence were like no other. At the end of your life, being able to say you did something unique, special and uplifting that a generation will remember is the best legacy anyone can have. Bernie accomplished this and so much more and he leaves behind an extraordinary legacy. Bernie will be laid to rest at Beth Hillel Cemetery, Wolcott Road, East Granby, CT and burial will be private. Donations in his memory may be made to: The University of Hartford, Bernard H. Rosen Endowed Scholarship Fund, 200 Bloomfield Ave, West Hartford, CT 06117. Contributions: The University of Hartford Bernard H. Rosen Endowed Scholarship Fund 200 Bloomfield Avenue West Hartford, CT 06117