Birth date: Jul 24, 1961 Death date: Dec 31, 2010
Bernie Skomra of San Francisco passed away on December 31, 2010 in New York City. Bernie was 49 years old. Bernie was born in Cleveland, Ohio to the parents of Bernard and Irene Skomra. Bernie attended Ohio State University, where Read Obituary
Although I didn’t know Bernie that well, I remember how much people around him loved him. I went to school with shelly and attended OSU and lived with her. Her family is a very loving and caring family and I pray that his entire family Keep him alive through the memories of a man who was truely loved by all that knew him.##imported-begin##marcy muniz Aberegg##imported-end##
I am an old family frien of Bernie’s from his yougnger years in Salem, Ohio. He was a few years older than me, but I remember growing up with him on his family camp ground in Lisbon, Ohio.I saw him last year when he attended his sisters funeral in Cleveland, Ohio. He looked wonderful, but I was aware of his health issues from keeping in touch with his parents. His mother and my mother were best friends.I never met his wife, but I would like to send my sincere condolances to her and their children. Bernie was a wonderful person; good to his parents, his siblings, and his family. He is most certainly in a better place.##imported-begin##Frank Zamarelli##imported-end##
(Last) I learned of Bernie’s illness from an email he sent me. I told Bernie I was planning a brief trip to Israel and would pray for him and put a message in the Temple wall, which I did. In 2009, Bernie sent me a note saying it worked…the cancer was in remission. Sadly it returned. I heard a New Testament passage,,, “In my father’s home, there are many mansions…” I couldn’t help feeling that G-d in his wisdom must have invested heavily in Real Estate up there and he now needs a good man to take care of those mansions, so he took the best. Bernie Schomra hebrew name is “Barukh” which means “Rise Above and Overcome”… and so my friend, my boss, my mentor, Barukh, on behalf of myself and my family, Thank you for the difference you made in our lives, all of us who worked with you and had the privilege of calling you friend. I will light a candle for you as a reminder of our friendship. G-d Bless You Bernie- “Barukh”##imported-begin##Fred Karsner##imported-end##
(cont’2) If I had to select one characteristic that was most impressive, it would be his extraordinary generosity, which was given without people sometimes without them knowing it came from him. I worked for Bernie at Portal Software. We were having an exceptionally good year, and sales was commissioned on these deals while other key people were not. Bernie decided to show his appreciation by buying Ken and his father tickets to the Super Bowl 2000. The tickets cost him personally over $10K, and he arranged for plane tickets and a limo to pick them up and take them to the game. He was also generous with his time. One memory that hits close to home was ten years ago when my house in Texas burned down (a complete loss) and I had separated from my wife of 20 years– Out of nowhere, I got a call from Bernie checking in with me wanting to know if he could help. We stayed connected until his death. Perhaps his final gift to us is the challenge of excellence — he never settled and …##imported-begin##Fred Karsner##imported-end##
I would like to say how very sad my family and I are about having to say goodbye to our friend and my colleague Bernie. My heart goes out to his family, especially his wife Zahra and their twin daughters. I can only image how difficult this must be for them. I share in everyones grief and sorrow and pray that G-d will give them the strength to carry on. Bernie was a very special person, work colleague, and friend. We have been friends for many years dating back to Oracle Corporation, until now. I came into the enterprise internet software business because of Bernie. He was a tough boss with high expectations that demanded the best out of all of us at Oracle, Portal Software, and Bigfix. Bernie was a true professional who loved his work. He combined unusually good people skills, the ability to think quickly on his feet, and a tireless work ethic. He had a “silver tongue” for great speeches. His ability to read people was second only to his ability to make people laugh (continue)..##imported-begin##Fred Karsner##imported-end##
To Bernie’s Family -I was a co-worker of Bernie’s at Oracle during his 9 years there in the Pittsburgh office. It’s true what the obit says – Bernie was the top sales performer at Oracle, was the machine behind growing the business at the time from a 2 person office to over 300 person office. He was a delight to be around, a very funny guy, we all loved him and shared in his success that helped us all succeed even after he left the company. A funny memory: I remember being at his house in Coraopolis for a crab bake, and him very quickly scrambling up a rather large and high tree stump while we all watched in astonishment as he cut down a branch or two to fuel the fire for the crab pots! Funny how boys like to climb trees ! My husband E.Charles and I are deeply sorry that Bernie is no longer with us and are praying for your family at this very sad time. God’s blessings to all of you- Donalyn and E.Charles Selinsky##imported-begin##Donalyn and E. Charles Selinsky##imported-end##
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Bernie, I pray for comfort and courage as you face this next chapter in your life, I worked with Bernie for 4 years while I was at Portal Software managing their Customer Visiting Center, Tradeshows and events and my memories of Bernie were all great ones. He was fun loving always making people laugh and was a very hard worker always making something happen.I feel honored to have known him. With Love,Victoria##imported-begin##Victoria Faveau##imported-end##
We once heard a saying that “you may not have many miracles in your life, but you just might be a miracle to someone.” Bernie was that miracle for Jim and I back in April of 2002. When we went out to visit him it was the most memorable time of Jim’s and my life and we will never forget how gracious and generous he was. There are no words that we can say to take your pain and sorrow away, please know that all of you are in our thought and prayers and hope one day you all will find peace in your hearts.With Very Heavy Hearts,Jim, Sheila, Alex, Eli & Grace Doyle##imported-begin##Jim & Sheila##imported-end##
My memories of Bernie Michael are that of a kind, caring, compassionate young man. We would visit the Skomra’s in Ohio and we always had so much fun. It was the Doyle kids and the Skomra’s and we had amazing times at Lil’ Beaver campgrounds. Jimmy and I send our love, thoughts, prayers to all of you. We are so sad for your loss, I can only imagine how happy Debbie and Aunt Helen, and Grandma & Grampa Szabo are to have him with them.##imported-begin##Diana Staley##imported-end##
