Longtime Cherry Hill Township resident, business owner and community leader Bernie Platt stood by a sign that indicated a stretch of Haddonfield-Berlin Road in Cherry Hill that now bears his name. Platt Memorial Chapels is in the background.
On the 90th birthday of Cherry Hill community leader Bernie Platt, his son Harry Platt asked: "What do you get the man that has everything and needs nothing?"
"You get him a gift that shows what he means to his community. …For all of our lives, you have taught us, shown us and led by example," answered Harry Platt at a Sunday afternoon celebration where Cherry Hill Township ceremonially renamed part of Haddonfield-Berlin Road after the former two-time mayor and longtime operator of Platt Memorial Chapels at the intersection of Haddonfield-Berlin and Evesham roads.
Platt was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, moved to Cherry Hill in 1966, and, with his wife, Judy Platt, founded Platt Memorial Chapels in 1977.Â
Platt was mayor of Cherry Hill Township from 1979 to 1980 and from 2002 to 2012.
He was deputy mayor from 1976 to 1979 and served on Township Council from 1977 to 1985. Platt also was a member of the Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders (now the Board of Commissioners) from 1996 to 1998.
Relatives, elected leaders, friends and others helped honor and surprise Platt by unveiling a sign indicating that a part of Haddonfield-Berlin Road is now named after him. The renamed section goes from the intersection of Haddonfield-Berlin, Evesham and Somerdale roads outside the funeral home to Morris Drive.
Cherry Hill Mayor David Fleisher, who presented Platt with a ceremonial key to the town, said renaming a portion of the road after Bernie was the right thing to do.
Cherry Hill Township Mayor David Fleisher, left, presented Bernie Platt with a ceremonial key to the town as family members and others looked on.Â
"Bernie has been a pillar of our community for about four decades, with two stints as mayor and his indelible impact on the community," Fleisher said in an interview. "When the family contacted us, the county and the township were thrilled to have the opportunity to support it."
Camden County Commissioner Melinda Kane spoke highly of Platt's support and companionship in the immediate aftermaths of the deaths of her husband in 2008 and son in 2010.
"I could never thank him enough for his love and support and his generosity. That speaks volumes to the man he is," she told 70and73.com.
The family lived in the nearby Downs Farm neighborhood for several decades, and several Platt children attended Horace Mann School in the neighborhood, his daughter, Rena Platt-Goldstein, said.
The partial road renaming was one of the best birthday presents these family members and others who could attend could ever give their patriarch, Platt-Goldstein said. Four generations of Platt family members, some of whom came from as far away as Colorado, were at the renaming event, she said.
Bernie said he was surprised "beyond belief" with the renaming. He moved to Cherry Hill Township with his wife 58 years ago after searching for a "nice, family-based community" to call home, according to Platt-Goldstein.
Platt is a past president of Jewish Family and Children's Services, past president of the former Congregation Beth Jacob-Beth Israel, chairman of the Congregation Beth Jacob-Beth Israel Building Committee, executive board member of Israel Bond Organization, and a member of the Board of Jewish Education, Aleph Home Services and the State Board of Jewish Federations, according to a Camden County news release.
He is a current member of the board of the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey, past president and board member of the Jewish Geriatric Home (Jewish Senior Housing), co-chairman of the Lions Gate CCRC Planning and Development Committee, and president of the Southern New Jersey B'nai B'rith Housing Corporation, according to Camden County.
Camden County Commissioner Melinda Kane said former Mayor Platt provided emotional support after the deaths of her husband and son.
