Max Bromberg, 76

Max Bromberg, 76, passed away on May 7, 2005, from congestive heart failure at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

A memorial service in his honor will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 14, 2005, at the Brown House next to Bonner General Hospital.

The only child of Phillip and Bess Bromberg, Max was born on Sept. 6, 1928, in the Bronx, New York City. He enjoyed his childhood there, where he helped deliver meat for his father's butcher shop. He graduated from the Bronx High School of Science.

After graduating there, he went to New York University, earning a doctorate in chemistry. Then working for General Electric, he was the manager of the Mediterranean Region of the Overseas Aircraft Engine Division in Rome, Italy, for six years. While there, he became fluent in Italian.

In 1952, he married Ann Sherman and they had three children together, James, Jonathan and Elizabeth. They were married for 35 years. The family lived with him in Italy. When he returned to the United States and retired from G.E. after 35 years, he became president of Micromet Instruments in Boston, Mass.

After retiring from Micromet, he went back to school for his master of psychology and counseling at Pacifica Graduate Institute. In 1990, Max married Marina Ferrier, PhD. They moved to Sandpoint from Los Angeles, Calif., and opened A Center for Counseling Services, Inc. in 1992, where they worked together as marriage and family counselors.

He loved Sandpoint and happily contributed his time and energy to several community agencies.

He was on the board of directors for the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force and CASA. He volunteered at Hospice for 10 years, was very active in master gardens and was instrumental in the development and implementation of the domestic abuse program for men. He co-facilitated those classes for five years.

His good works were greatly appreciated and people truly enjoyed his great sense of humor, and his incredible memory for jokes. Max would liven up any occasion.

Max also loved classical music and the big band sound. He was very creative and loved to build and design things for the house and garden. He enjoyed boating and was an avid gardener. Max received great joy from his beloved dogs and cat. He and marina shared many similar interests, including their work together at their office and with DAEP. He was well loved and will be missed by all who knew him.

Max is survived by his wife, Marina Ferrier of Hope; his three children, James, his wife Barbara, and their three children, Alex, Tobin and Elliott of New York City, N.Y., Elizabeth Bromberg and her husband Scott Cohen of Chapel Hill, N.C. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials may be made to the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force, 206 N. First Ave., P.O. Box 160, Sandpoint, ID 83864; or Bonner Community Hospice, P.O. Box 1448, Sandpoint, ID 83864.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.