Herbert Bercovitz OWN R.I.P.

Herbert Bercovitz
One of the pillars of Wednesday Night and our dear friend. Although Herb has been unable to participate in Wednesday Night for some years, we always felt his presence, and dearly missed his wonderful summaries of the evenings’ discussions often expanded with wise and thoughtful personal comments.
Now he joins Chairman David and many other good friends at Wednesday Night in the Sky.
I treasure the magnificent sculpture he presented to us, and which occupies a place of honour in the living room.
Reunited with his beloved Miriam, may he rest in peace.

Herbert Bercovitz
August 25, 1924 – December 3, 2024
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Herbert Bercovitz announces his passing in his one hundred and first year on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Devoted husband of the late Miriam Cohen for seventy-one years. Beloved father and father-in-law of Carol and Gary Barrs, Ellen Bercovitz. Cherished Zaida of Danielle, Jeremy, Isaac, and Alyssa. Predeceased by his siblings George Berkett, Ruth Weintraub. Brother and brother-in-law of Sheila and the late Perry Cohen, the late Lillian and the late Leslie Brodkin. He will be fondly remembered by his nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Heartfelt gratitude to his beloved caregivers, Pricela, Jovy, Imelda, Remy, Josie, and Romalyn for their exceptional care and devotion. Special thanks to the staff of the Palliative Care team at the Royal Victoria Hospital.

Funeral services from Paperman & Sons, 3888 Jean Talon St. W., on Sunday, December 8 at 1:00 p.m. Burial at Congregation Shaar Hashomayim Cemetery, 1250 ch. de la Forêt. Shiva at his daughter Carol’s home through Tuesday evening. Contributions in Herb’s memory may be made to charity of your choice.

Herb Bercovitz OWN Citation
In recognition of your unwavering fidelity to the recording of learned discourse and unsurpassed ability to bring order from the chaos of unreadable notes, to find threads of logic where none might be perceived, the whilst making valuable, reasoned contributions to debate
By these presents we do appoint you Honoured Companion and Official Scribe of said Order and authorize you to hold and enjoy the dignity of such appointment together with membership in the said Order and all privileges thereunto pertaining
Given at 33 Rosemount in the former and future City of Westmount under the Seal of the Order of Wednesday Night this Wednesday, seventeenth day of December, 2003

Heritage Hero: Herb Bercovitz
May 9th, 2013
When Herb Bercovitz started working at the Montreal General Hospital (MGH) as director of Hospital Services, he had no idea what treasures lay hidden within its walls.
“It was 1988, the year before I retired. I was waiting for the elevator when a colleague told me she had come across some valuable objects,” recalls Bercovitz. “She wasn’t sure what to do with them and neither was I, so I told her to bring them to my office.”
This soon became Bercovitz’s line. “People just kept coming to talk to me about the things they found. I didn’t know what to do with everything, so I started cataloguing it. By the time I retired, my office was full.”
He mentions having found the first MGH admitting book dating back to 1822, an old pulmonary function device, a plethora of old photographs and more. “As I began to collect things, I started interviewing people. I met with physicians, administrators, even a woman who used to be a waitress at the hospital when it was on Dorchester!”
“All these objects represent the beginnings of the hospital,” says Bercovitz, who was so devoted to his task that when he retired he continued as the keeper of historical MGH art and artefacts as a volunteer. “We have such a rich history―we have to make sure to protect and share it.”
To learn more about Herb Bercovitz and the artefacts he’s found over the years: ow.ly/kKaO3