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Obituary for Sonya Bernfeld
Sonya A. Bernfeld, 95, passed away May 30, 2021. She was born in Port Chester, NY on May 28, 1926 to the late David A. and Ceil Allison Azorsky. When Sonya was born, she became the fifth generation of her family living in Port Chester at the same time. Sonya, her Sister Ruth and their parents resided in Port Chester where her father owned and operated Dave’s Trucking Company. Summers were spent at their cottage “camp” in Savoy, Massachusetts in the Berkshire Mountains with a large extended family. Sonya attended Port Chester Schools and graduated from Port Chester Senior High School in January 1944. She attended Beaver College (now Arcadia University) in Pennsylvania, but left after a year to marry. While visiting an Aunt in Brooklyn she was introduced to her cousin’s neighbor, Arnold A. Bernfeld. Sonya and Arnold would marry on June 9, 1946 in an Aunt and Uncle’s house on Breckenridge Avenue in Port Chester, next door to her parents’ house. Sonya and Arnold lived in White Plains, NY where they started their family, for about 10 years, before moving back to Port Chester. Here, next door to her Sister Ruth (husband Cliff) and their family, Sonya and Arnold would raise their two sons, William S. (Billy) and Howard A., both of whom sadly predeceased her. Summers continued to be spent at “camp”, now with Sonya’s family of four and her sister Ruth’s family of five……and two dogs! Sonya was very active in the raising of her sons. She was a PTA founder and president, starting at Park Avenue School straight through to Senior High School. Sonya and Arnold were also founders of the Port Chester High School Band Parents’ Association. Both sons were in the band. Sonya and Arnold accompanied the band on numerous trips, including their marching in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, CA. Sonya and Arnold were also active in the Cub Scouts and Boys Scouts where Sonya served as her sons’ Den Mother. The Boys’ friends were always welcome in her home where she became known as Mrs. “B”. Sonya’s husband Arnold was a Public Accountant, ultimately setting up a private practice in Port Chester. They became active in local politics and Arnold served as Port Chester Village Treasurer, serving up to his death in January 1992. Sonya’s son Howard died at 57 in 2012 and Billy at 67 in 2018. Through this, Sonya’s spirit remained remarkedly strong. Sonya was a lifelong member of Congregation K.T.I. in Port Chester. Her Great Grandfather Abraham Wein was a founding father of the Congregation from its early days in Glenville, CT. And her father David Azorsky was a past president and chairman of the Building Committee for the current sanctuary on King St. Sonya was a past Chairwoman of the Ladies Aid Committee of Cong K.T. I. of which her Grandmother Mollie Wein Azorsky was a founder. She was a member of the local chapter of Hadassah and The Order of The Eastern Star. Sonya enjoyed traveling, first with her husband Arnold, then with friends, and then with her companion Joseph Gianfrancesco, who also predeceased her. Sonya is survived by 6 Grandchildren: Rebecca MacMillan, Miriam (Jerry) Tietjens, Jennifer (Greg) Miller, Kristine Patterson, Adam (Brittney) Bernfeld, and Robert Bernfeld and 7 Great grandchildren: Gennaro Tietjens, Sarah Miller, Emily Miller, Peyton Patterson, Luke Bernfeld, Lily Bernfeld and Sam Bernfeld. Sonya is also survived by her Sister Ruth A. Cohen, nephew Steven W. Cohen and nieces: Janet (Edward) Stolar, Barbara L. Cohen, Melissa (Richard) Rentner and Sharron (Arthur) Goldstein. Tributes can be made in Sonya’s memory to Cong K.T.I., 575 King St, Port Chester, NY 10573.
