Last year on March 19, 2024, our beloved Mark died at home after a battle with cancer.
Born in Brooklyn to Frank and Mollie Berenbaum with older sister, Sydelle, Mark attended the local yeshiva before entering public school for middle and high school in Yonkers. In 1964 he graduated from NYU with a BA in Philosophy where he was active member of Phi Sigma Delta. Between 1964-1968, he served as an intelligence officer in the United States Navy. He then graduated from Suffolk University with his Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1975.
Mark was a figure of Chestnut Hill for over 40 years. He was a family lawyer, known as the 1-800 DIVORCE lawyer, who wanted all people, regardless of income, to have quality legal representation. His particularly enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life and from around the world who were in need of a lawyer in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. During this time, he served as the President of the Chestnut Hill Business Association (being a man of few and succinct words, this presidency did not last long): was an active member of the Chestnut Hill Community Association and Parking Foundation; and a member of Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyer for the Arts.
Upon retirement when Mark was living on the Hill, he could be seen riding his bike in the early morning, hiking in the Wissahickon, walking with his wife, Linda, or grandchildren or dogs, selling newspapers and candy at the Chestnut Hill newsstand, drinking cappuccino and doing the NYT puzzle in Chestnut Hill Coffee suited in stylish and creative attire often topped with a cowboy style hat which led to his reputation as “Hat Man”.
Mark was a warm and caring man. He was an attentive and loving husband and a thoughtful father who encouraged his children and grandchildren to develop the kind of independent spirit he had. He was equally comfortable being the tough coach on the baseball team and being the affectionate father giving kisses and hugs.
Mark was a man of routine in all parts of his life….exercise routines, nonfiction only, favorite meals were plain with meat, starch and chocolate for dessert. His comical reluctance to eat anything green was noteworthy.
He was serious in his consumption of world news and sports. His knowledge of world history and his vocabulary were extensive. As he aged, he laughed more and more readily, at times laughing so hard that no one around him could do anything but join in.
One of his greatest gifts, for all of us lucky enough to know him well, was his comfort with himself with whatever quirks and ways he had. Mark wanted each of us to embrace ourselves for who we are and to respect each other no matter our differences. Favorite examples of Mark’s comfort with his self were his joining the Navy (the short Jewish boy with glasses who was afraid of the water and could barely swim), challenging the strongest looking ship mate to arm wrestle (where he proceeded to win) and, while crossing the equator three times in an icebreaker ship, needlepointing a picture of a rabbi studying. Mark’s closest life long friend from college described Mark as a man who did not live his life in fear of anything and was so grounded with a strong moral compass, that he influenced fellow students and fraternity brothers in small but powerful ways.
Mark is survived by his loving wife, Linda Barth: his sister, Sydelle: his former wife, Nancy Martin and children Elizabeth (David) Dratch, Emily (Jon) Borell, David (Lynh) Berenbaum, Peter (Beth) Berenbaum: stepchildren Isaac Garfield, Julie Garfield (Kevin Longstreth) and nine grandchildren: Paige and Charlie Dratch, Lily and Logan Borell, Nina and Molly Berenbaum, Jack Berenbaum , and Abe and Jay Garfield.
As one young grandchild said, Grandpa Mark is now one of the stars in the sky. When we look up, we can see him. We can picture him now - watching over us with a smile, cappuccino in hand and his signature cowboy hat.
Mark’s warmth, smile and genuine interest in his family, friends and neighbors will forever be remembered.
Contributions can be made to The Friends of the Wissahickon.
