Great Neck resident Bernard Kass, a former board member of the Community Organization for Parents and Youth Inc., died on Feb. 8. He was 96.
“During those years he assumed many rolls and responsibilities,” a COPAY release said. “His enthusiasm, commitment to the children and families of our community, and his unending support of our staff and our agency was palpable.”
At the age of 88, the release said, Kass began serving as COPAY’s treasurer.
The release said his “kind personality” made it easy for the organization’s accountant and director to discuss finances with him.
Kass was known as a “social activist,” the release said.
He and then board President Suzette Gross organized a demonstration, the release said, to seek increased funding for low-income children and assure that families would receive necessary services.
He was married to his wife, Donna, for 64 years.
She died from lung cancer in 2011 at the age of 86, according to a Newsday obituary.
The release said Kass “respected and admired” Donna, who was a health-care advocate.
He believed cultural diversity would improve the world, the release said, and at a COPAY board meeting, he emphasized the importance of the board’s members stemming from different backgrounds.
“Look at us. We are women and men. We are all of different ethnicities and colors. We represent all religions. We are of all different ages,” Kass was quoted as saying. “We are all here to make a better and more united community. If only the world could do this it would be such a better place and we would live in peace.”
A memorial service was held at 50 Hillpark Avenue in Great Neck last Saturday.
