Joseph Bernstein

Joseph Bernstein, a resident of Dallas, TX and originally from New Orleans, LA, passed away peacefully at 94 on December 5, 2024, at his home in Dallas, TX. He was born on February 12, 1930, in New Orleans, LA to Eugene and Lola Bernstein. Joe grew up in New Orleans, LA, graduating from Isidore Newman School in 1948. After high school he attended the University of Alabama. He remained a diehard fan of Alabama football his whole life. Joe was a member of the R.O.T.C at Alabama, so upon graduation in 1952 he joined the Army as a Second Lieutenant, serving in the Quartermaster Corps in Korea. He remained extremely proud of his military service to the end. Joe was discharged from the Army in 1954 and returned to New Orleans, enrolling in Tulane Law School. It was at this time he met Phyllis Askanase from Houston, TX. They married in 1955 and had four children. They were together for 69 years. Joe practiced law in New Orleans, getting involved in many important cases and projects. As the attorney for the organizing committee to bring professional football to New Orleans, he played a role in the creation of the New Orleans Saints in 1966. This began his more than 55-year love affair with the Saints, and until his passing he was the sole survivor of the original ownership group. He successfully led the fight against the privately held utility company New Orleans Public Service Inc. (NOPSI) from passing its losses onto all ratepayers. He participated in delegations to the former Soviet Union to help free dissidents seeking to emigrate from the USSR. Joe was a businessman as well, owning a local newspaper Figaro, the predecessor to Gambit. Fulfilling his love of cooking, he partnered with Rose Turci to reopen her parent's Italian restaurant Turci's on Magazine St. Later he would open a second restaurant, Spaghetti Eddie’s and the Boston Bar, where he supported up-and-coming musicians such as Spencer Bohren and Lil' Queenie (Leigh Harris). Joe was active in varied community activities, supporting and serving on the boards of the Jewish Community Center, the New Orleans Symphony (now Louisiana Philharmonic) and the Orleans Gallery, a cooperative from 1956 to 1973 promoting contemporary art in New Orleans. Like his diverse professional life, Joe had many personal passions which he imparted to family and friends. He was a fervent student of history (military history in particular), philosophy, art and music. He loved advancements in technology, from his incredible Kodachrome pictures from Korea to buying the first VHS videocassette recorder. Well into his 80s, Joe loved innovations in personal computers and smartphones which brought him closer to his family around the world. Joseph Bernstein is survived by his wife Phyllis; his children Jill Bernstein of Dallas, TX, Barbara Shuker (Yosef) of Meitar, Israel, Elizabeth R Bernstein (Graham Saul) of Ottawa, Canada, and Jonathan Joseph Bernstein (Kristi) of Dallas, TX; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Joe was preceded in death by his sister Tamara Mayer and brother David Bernstein. Memorial contributions may be made to Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, Dallas Museum of Art, or the charity of your choice.

Joseph Bernstein

February 12, 1930 - December 5, 2024