NORTH ANDOVER – Bernard Rosenthal, 91, lately of Vestal, NY, a beloved educator, devoted family man, and distinguished scholar, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2025, at High Pointe Hospice House in Haverhill.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, he was the son of the late Charles and Gutte (Beck) Rosenthal. He was raised in Philadelphia and graduated from Overbrook High School. Bernard continued his education receiving his undergraduate degree from Millersville State Teachers College (now Millersville University), his master's degree from Seton Hall University and his Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Bernard proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy from 1955-1957.

As a professor and Chair of the English Department, Bernard dedicated his professional life to nurturing the minds of countless students at State University of New York (SUNY) at Binghamton (now Binghamton University). He specialized in the history of the Salem witchcraft trials and the writings of Herman Melville. He wrote several scholarly books including Salem Story and Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt, a comprehensive transcription of all the court documents pertaining to the trials. Bernard was also a Fulbright lecturer at Tampere University in Finland during the 1990's. He organized a Semester in London program well into his retirement, teaching and exposing students to theater and historical sites in the UK.

A loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Bernard was immensely proud of his family and their many accomplishments. He was also a rated chess player who enjoyed participating in tournaments. In his retirement Bernard devoted years to analyzing the wrongful convictions of Joseph Allen and Nancy Smith, which he recounted in his book Injustice in Ohio. He will be forever remembered for his kindness, humor and generosity of spirit. He will be deeply missed by his loving family and friends.

Surviving Bernard are his wife Evelyn, with whom he shared 67 years of marriage, his son, Daniel Rosenthal and his wife Rosalind of Boxford, Laura Rosenthal and her husband Jerry Parrott of Kensington, MD and Helen Robinson and her husband Eddie Shasek of St. Petersburg, FL, his grandchildren, James Rosenthal and his wife Nidhi Sharma, Rachel Rosenthal, Sophie Rosenthal, Jenna Mardon and Rebecca Robinson. His great-grandson, Shrivik Bernard Rosenthal brightened the last year of his life.

ARRANGEMENTS: A memorial service will be held in Vestal, New York at a later date. Please check the website for updates. A graveside service will be held at Boxford Village Cemetery, Boxford on Monday, April 14, 2025 at 11 A.M. Assisting the family with the arrangements is O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 167 Maple St., (Rte. 62) DANVERS. In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor can be made to the Innocence Project. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.

Innocent Project
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