BRAVERMAN-Bruce, Dr. On March 23, 2003, at 51. Beloved husband of Helene Funk. Adored father of Derek Willem Braverman. Devoted son of Frances Braverman and the late Sherman. Son-in-law of Howard and Elisabeth Funk. Loving brother-in-law of Rhoda and William H. Fry. Also survived by his nephew Justin Willem Fry and his uncle Sam Hoffner. Funeral services on Tuesday, 1:30 PM at Frank E. Campbell, 1076 Madison Avenue at 81st St. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
Carol Reher (Cohen (Flushing H. S. 1969)) (1969)
I first met Bruce when I was a 12 year old "boy crazy" adolescent. I had a crush on him right from the start. He told me that he was going to be a doctor when he grew up. It was all that he ever wanted to be. He was a very focused student. I knew that he would achieve his goal. Even at 13, Bruce was a gentleman. I remember him opening the door for me and helping me on with my coat. I was only 12 years old but he made me feel like a fancy grown-up lady. I got to wear his ID bracelet (after he asked his mom if it would be okay) for a few weeks. Then he met my friend Rochelle and dumped me for her..... Years later, when I was already a mother of two, Bruce told me how badly he always felt about hurting that 12 year old girl. With the greatest amount of sincerity, he apologized to me. Then both of us just burst out with laughter. My husband Victor, (class of 1968) met Bruce at Wingate. Victor was new to the Public school system. He befriended Bruce (and Jeff , Barry , Steve , Gary , Gary , Alan , Alan , Lester , Larry , Lennyl etc)in his Sophomore year. Victor became part of their group.I met Victor the following year because he was now friends with the boys from my crowd. Bruce's mom allowed all the boys to use her basement.The boys called their group a Fraternity and the basement "the hang out". Victor and I were often at parties with Bruce. He was a real heartthrob. So many girls had a crush on him. All of the mom's liked him too. He was gentle and polite. After Wingate we drifted, as school friends often do. Victor and I reunited with Bruce in May of 1989. He had accomplished his lifelong goal. He was a Psychiatrist and had a very successful practice in NYC. He was about to marry his longtime girlfriend Helene. The last time I spoke to Bruce was in 1998. He was telling me about his 5 year old son Derek. He went on and on about his wonderful child, as new parents often do. Having waited so long to be a parent made the reward all the more sweet. He truly LOVED being a daddy. He was so happy with his life with Helene. He loved watching his mom be the doting Grandmother....He was genuinely happy with his life. Victor and I were happy to hear the joy in his voice. Five years later, on the week-end of his wedding anniversary, Bruce had sudden sharp pain in his shoulder and back. The emergency medical team could not save him. He died that day from a heart attack.
Steve Siegel (1968)
Bruce was one of our gang of guys (boy doesn't that term have a different connotation these days. We used to love to go over to his house and his mom was always welcoming. Bruce had the brains and style to achieve success and it sounds as though he did just that! Our English teacher, Gregg Tuminio often laments to me that he worries whether or not his students will have had a positive influence on society. It sounds as though Bruce would have made Gregg proud. As we say out in my beloved Colorado.....via con dios. Steve SiegelCliff Sarrel (1968)
everybody get a heart scan and a caradid ultra sound.i never expected to make it this long and didn't really try
they say that ther's a book with your name in it when it's time to go....adios bruce.
peace
Michael Fish (1968)
I didn't know Bruce all that well. But we always got along fine and seemed to like one another. He was intelligent and seemed to be an "old soul" even as a kid. A bunch of us drove up to "senior weekend" in the Catskills when we were seniors, and Bruce was in that car with us, so we learned a little more about each other. I'm in no position to add any more to these lovely eulogies other than to add that his passing seems to have been a waste of a decent and good person who wasn't allowed to live into old age. It's so strange and rather jarring to see the ever-growing number of people from our childhood who have passed on.I wish all who read this good health, and the opportunity to see as much of the future as they are allowed to see. Who would have ever thought we would get to see pictures from the surface of Mars, or Barak Obama as President? ... or, even communicating with people on something called "the Internet"? I'm glad Bruce got to see some that.
Jeffrey Blumengold (1968)
Bruce and I were very close friends for many years when growing up. We spent countless hours playing guitar at his house and had many memorable parties in his basement, which was used as our social club.
Moreoer, he was always a terrific student and went on to be a well-regarded professional in his field.
I enjoyed our friendship immensely and even as I reflect on his untimely death many years later, is still brings me great sadness. Bruce always had a smile on his face and had so much to live for.
May he rest in peace and his son Derek always remember and be very proud of his father.