Mervin Sherman's Obituary
Al Sherman lived in three states, had two careers but had only one enduring love: his family.
Whether as a devoted husband, dedicated father or doting grandfather, his life revolved around caring for his family, supporting them and encouraging them to bigger and better things.
Mr. Sherman died Sept. 15, 2020, nine days short of his 91st birthday.
Born Jan. 24, 1929, in Brooklyn, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy shortly after graduating from Samuel J. Tilden High School. After the Navy, it was a friend of his sister Elaine who helped him get a job as a window dresser. It was the beginning of career No. 1.
It also was soon after leaving the Navy that he met Reina Pankin at Dubrow’s cafeteria in Brooklyn. They were married in 1954, a marriage that endured 54 years until her death in 2008.
Al’s artistic flair served him well both at home and at work. He loved to draw as well as paint, and his eye for design helped him develop a window-dressing clientele in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
For his young family, Al always was “a presence” as a booster, a confidant and especially as a friend. He moved his family from Brooklyn to Staten Island in 1971 to fulfill his dream of owning a home. But the house on Willowbrook Road wasn’t the only home he ever bought. For him, “The house in Pennsylvania” – in Hemlock Farms in Lords Valley – which he bought in about 1990, was symbolic that he had “made it big” and achieved the life he’d only dreamed of. It became the place for weekend family getaways, impromptu events and holiday gatherings.
Having his children around always gave Al joy, whether it was sharing his New York Jets season tickets or traveling to swim meets around the state. Yet when Reina got sick, his focus was forced to change, still giving everything he could to his family yet in a different way – caring for his wife while raising Fran, Marci and Gregg by himself.
Nevertheless, it was Reina who gave him the push into career No. 2.
Already in his 50s, Al worried he was too old to make the change into investment banking, that he wasn’t smart enough to venture into the financial world, that he wasn’t ready to take the risk. It was Reina who gave him the strength and courage to go for something bigger than himself.
Al’s interests outside his family ranged from barbecuing (in any weather) to bowling; and from his art to golf to cooking. After his family gave him cooking classes as a birthday gift, he became addicted to the kitchen, creating his own dishes as well as becoming known for his blueberry pie, date-nut bread and cookies.
When their children all moved to Florida, Al and Reina knew it was time to go, too. He didn’t want to be without his kids. They made the move in 1999, a year after Fran and her family had left.
In Florida, Al was back close to his beloved grandchildren. Even as Reina became needier of him, he still was devoted to sitting in the bleachers for countless hockey games and reveling in playing “Monster,” chasing kids around the house.
After Reina died in 2008, he met Joanne Smith, and they married in 2009. They moved to California in 2016.
Mr. Sherman is survived by his widow, Joanne; two daughters, Fran Sherman (Arnie Rosenberg) of Palm Beach Gardens and Marci Ferber (Jaime) of Old Bridge, New Jersey; one son, Gregg (Camille Knight), of Parkland; five granddaughters: Amanda Bond, Sydney and Shelby Ferber, and Julia and Casey Sherman; one grandson, Zachary Roesch; and two stepdaughters, Kyle Devorroh and Diana Puig.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
What’s your fondest memory of Mervin?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mervin?
Share a story where Mervin's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mervin you’ll never forget.
How did Mervin make you smile?