Beloved great-grandfather, passionate investor, traveler

On Friday, July 22 Bernard “Bernie” Tecotzky died peacefully with his family at his side at Claremont Manor. He was 94. Bernie had been living in the assisted living community since 2014.

He was born October 17, 1927, in Chicago, where as a child he worked at his family’s fish market. He attended Roosevelt University for his undergraduate studies and earned his master’s degree in mathematics from DePaul University in Chicago.

He served in the United States Army, and after being honorably discharged in his 20s, met his future wife Elaine on a blind date. They were married in 1952 in Chicago.

He was a code breaker for the government, worked in operations research, and became a management consultant for a wide range of businesses. The family relocated several times for his work, including to Suitland, Maryland, St. Louis, Missouri, and Skokie, Illinois.

In 1967, the family moved to Claremont, where they raised their three sons. Around 2000, the couple moved to Leisure World in Laguna Woods, California.

He had a passion for numbers, finance, and investing, and loved to help people with their small businesses. He enjoyed playing games and listening to his family members play the piano, guitar, and drums for him.

His favorite pastimes included playing bridge, eating eclairs and ice cream, watching the business channel and sports on TV, and reading the Wall Street Journal every day. The couple traveled widely, visiting the Middle East, China, Europe, Alaska, and had many other adventures.

Family was very important to him. He was close to his sister, Helen, who died in 2021 at age 100. He was also preceded in death by another sister and a brother, and by his beloved and cherished wife of 50 years, Elaine.

“All he wanted was for his family to always get along and remain close and connected as they are today,” his family shared.

It has been said that Bernie was a mischievous kid and was frequently called “little Moe” because he looked up to his older brother and tried to copy him.

“Most memorable is the kindness and peaceful disposition that Bernie exuded,” his family continued. “Everyone that met him saw that in him. He loved jokes and puns and would always keep us smiling and laughing. May his memory be a blessing!”

He is survived by sons Steven (Leah), Ralph (Diane), and Raymond (Dominique); ten grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.