10/28/2021 Information from Howard Halasz.  JFC

Joel Jay Berman

Oct. 6, 1944 - Apr. 12, 2006

Joel Jay (Josh) Berman. It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden death of Josh Berman on Wednesday, April 12, 2006, at the age of 61.

Josh is already missed by his wife Helena Aalto; their two children, Ellis and Dean; Helena's parents, Inkeri and Hannu Aalto; and by countless friends, neighbors, and colleagues. He was predeceased by his parents, Esther and Louis Berman of South Bend.

He is survived by his aunt, Janet Berman; and his cousins, Stephen, Howard and Pamela Berman, Sabra Pitler and Shari Friedman.

Josh developed his love of music and the guitar from his mother and they would play and entertain together whenever they had the opportunity. He graduated from South Bend Central in 1963, where he was captain of the swim team and was an all-state medallist. He was a member of Zeta Beta Tau fraternity at Indiana University, Bloomington, where he graduated in 1967.

Josh taught at LaSalle High School before he moved to Toronto, Ontario in 1970. It was in Toronto that he met his wife, Helena, and they married in 1980. Josh's interest in swimming continued throughout his life; he served as aquatic director at the YMCA in Toronto. While he continued to entertain at a variety of venues with his guitar, he also served as a television producer with Rogers Cable.

We remember and celebrate his gentle soul, his lightening-quick (but never unkind) wit, his intelligence and his incredible gift of music, which he shared for almost 20 years at Mrs. Mitchell's in Violet Hill, Ontario and many other gigs.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Hungarian Canadian Cultural Centre, Toronto on April 18., for the long list of people who loved him.

In lieu of flowers, Josh's family encourages you to go hear some live music and tip the musicians well.

04/05/2022 DEC

South Bend Tribune