Obituary of Bernard Rapoport

" Bernard Rapoport, M.D., died on September 12, 2006, at Loomis Nursing Center in Holyoke, MA. Born on February 27, 1916 in Enfield, CT, he was the son of the late Asar and Gussie (Beizer) Rapoport. He had resided in South Hadley since 1986, when he retired from his career as a cardiologist and primary care physician serving an inner city population in Detroit, Michigan. A graduate of Yale University (1936) and Harvard Medical School (1940), he was a long time advocate of preventive medicine. He served his country in WWII as a flight surgeon in the Air Transport Command in the Middle East. He was an avid tennis player well into his 80’s, and also enjoyed walking and cross-country skiing. He was treasured by his family and friends for his keen intelligence, wry wit, and unassuming, compassionate spirit. Surviving are his wife of 67 years, Gladys (Bernstein), his three children, John Rapoport and his wife Nancy of South Hadley, Carol Monteleoni and her husband Philip of New York, NY, and Sarah Kaufman and her husband Mark of Madison, WI. He is also survived by Robin and Dana Rapoport, Claire and Paul Monteleoni, and David and Daniel Kaufman, his six grandchildren who gave him great joy. He was predeceased by two brothers, Harold and Lorence Rapoport. In accordance with Dr. Rapoport’s wishes, a private memorial gathering will take place at a later date. Memorial donations in his name may be made to the Friendship Fund at Loomis Nursing Center, 298 Jarvis Avenue, Holyoke, MA 01040. "