Boris

Sommerman

Cedar Grove chapel -

Boris (Bob) Sommerman passed away peacefully on April 15, 2026, at the age of 82, after a long life filled with experience, strength, connection—and plenty of stories along the way. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Adrienne, and is survived by his children: DiDi, Eileen (Andrew), Mark (Cheryl), Cheryl, and Jennifer (Dan), and his grandchildren, Quentin, Luci, Bree, Reese, Molly, Logan, and Blanche.

Born to Mendel and Klara Sommermann on May 13, 1943, in Tluste, Poland, Boris entered the world under unimaginable circumstances. His parents had already lost three children—Rosalia, Jacob, and Hanna—during the early days of the Holocaust, and he was born in a forced labor camp where they endured extreme hardship and danger.

After the war, the family spent years displaced in Germany as his parents worked to rebuild their lives. In 1949, they immigrated to the United States and settled in the Bronx, starting over with very little. He rarely spoke about those early years or what his family endured, but they shaped him—and the life he built.

Despite all of that, Boris developed what he proudly called the "gift of gab." He talked to almost everyone, everywhere, and was known for his charm, humor, and ability to strike up a connection with just about anyone. He left a lasting impression on nearly everyone he met.

An HVAC mechanic by trade and a business owner for nearly 50 years, Boris was incredibly skilled with his hands. He could fix just about anything, and he approached life the same way—with the determination and confidence that there was always a solution.

He also found joy in the things he loved. He had a passion for watches, and he loved cars—from classic to modern day—attending many car shows with friends and family over the years. He and Adrienne loved to travel, exploring the world together by land and sea. He earned his pilot's license so he could more easily visit his two young daughters who had moved to Toronto, and he enjoyed sharing his wild flying stories. He was always excited about discovering new gadgets and sharing his latest finds—you never quite knew what he would bring home next.

He loved music, especially 1950s rock and roll and Elvis Presley, and when he was younger, he played drums in a wedding band—often sharing stories of performing in the Borscht Belt, the Jewish resort hotels of the Catskills. An avid gambler in his younger years, he was just as happy playing rummy with family, and he often turned even the smallest moment into a friendly bet.

Above all, Boris was a survivor, a provider, and a man who built a full and meaningful life. His survival was nothing short of a miracle, and the life he built stands as a testament to that. He built a family and a legacy rooted in strength, humor, and love. His voice, his stories, and his unmistakable presence will be deeply missed, but his impact will endure.

We are forever grateful to the many doctors, nurses, EMTs, and hospital staff, as well as the team at Fresenius Dialysis Montclair, for the care they provided—often with a sense of levity. We are especially thankful for his aide, Tami, whose skill, patience, compassion, and sense of humor grew into a beautiful friendship.

He and Adrienne, whom he missed dearly, loved to dance. It's a comfort to imagine them reunited, back in each other's arms, dancing together once again.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, April 19th at 10:45am at:

Cedar Park Cemetery

735 Forest Avenue

Paramus, NJ 07652

Shiva will be held on Sunday, April 19th and Monday April 20th from 6-9pm at the home of Jennifer Sommerman and Dan Rubin.