Bernhardt Sylvan Kramer

Bernhardt Sylvan Kramer, a longtime Kingston resident, died Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at Benedictine Hospital. He was 96. He was born in Poughkeepsie on October 18, 1911, a son of the late Joseph L. and Minnie Rosen Kramer. Mr. Kramer served in the US Army during WW II. He married Caryl Louise Hess in 1947. After receiving a Law degree from St. John’s University, he worked for the District Attorney in New York City. He then served as City Clerk in Kingston. For several years he worked under Congressman Wharton as a Community Relations Specialist. In 1958 he ran on the Republican ticket for Mayor of the City of Kingston. He held a position with the Office of Economic Opportunity in Ulster County. Mr. Kramer was Secretary to the Narcotics Addiction Control Division in Albany under Governor Rockefeller. From 1971 – 1984 he served as Commissioner of the Ulster County Department of Social Services. Mr. Kramer served on the board of directors of Kingston Hospital and Ulster County Girl Scouts. He was Past President of Kingston Lions Club and awarded the Robert Teetsel Lion of the Year. He was a 60-year member of Kingston Lodge #10, Free and Accepted Masons. A member of Temple Emanuel, he served as President before relocation to Albany Avenue. He was a member of the American Legion Post #150, Kingston and Past Commander. His wife, Caryl Kramer died in 1982. One sister Louise Greenwald died previously. Surviving are his two sons Howard Kramer of Kingston and Monte D. Kramer and his wife Karen of North Andover, Mass.; one daughter Patti-Jeanne Kramer-Hivner and her husband Bob of Hummelstown, Penn.; a dear friend Elnora McSpirit of Kingston; four grandchildren Leah and Alex Kramer, Jeremy and Mitchell Hivner; several nieces and nephews. There will be calling hours at the Simpson - Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Ave. on Thursday from 5:00 - 8:00 PM. The Kingston Lodge #10 will conduct a ritual at 6:45 PM; the Kingston Lions will conduct a service at 7:00 PM. A funeral service will be conducted at Temple Emanuel, 243 Albany Ave., Kingston on Friday at 11:30 AM. Rabbi Yael Romer will officiate. Interment will be in Montrepose Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Parkinson's Foundation, 10 Union Square East, Suite 5L, NY, NY 10003 or the American Cancer Society, 95 Schwenk Dr., Kingston, NY 12401.