NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Bernard T. Sendor, a leading figure in New York City’s graphic arts industry for more than 60 years, passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2009 in Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY. A resident of Westbury, NY, he was 90 years old.

Born in New York City on February 9, 1919, Bernie was the son of Meyer and Sarah (Sachs) Sendor and graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in 1937. In 1936, he began work in the family bookbinding business. He later served for three years in the United States Army Air Corps during WWII. Upon his return to the States he rejoined the family business, the former Sendor Bindery of New York City, one of the metro area’s largest trade binderies. He continued his education, attending night classes at New York University.

Passionate about his work, Bernie was still working at the age of 90 as a technical consultant at Bassil Book Binding, Inc. of Little Ferry, NJ. On June 3rd and 4th, he directed the case binding of an Andy Warhol art book and the official Tony Awards book, a publication he bound each year for over 30 years.

A visionary and an inventor in his field, Bernie made participation in and support of education for the graphic arts a lifelong pursuit. He taught at the Association of the Graphic Arts, the Binders and Finishers Association, and was a guest speaker and presenter at numerous graphic arts educational seminars across the country.

He was the recipient of many honors and awards from industry organizations including Women In Production, the Association of Graphic Communications, The Navigators, the Club of Printing House Craftsmen of New York, the Bookbinders Guild of New York, the American Institute of Graphic Arts, and Gamma Epsilon Tau (Gamma Chapter), the International Graphic Arts Honor Society. Many of these tributes are showcased at the Advertising Design & Graphic Arts Department, School of Technology & Design at New York City College of Technology (CUNY) where he also had been an adjunct lecturer.

Bernie enjoyed reading, the opera, ballet and concerts, and spending quiet time with his supportive family. He belonged to several Masonic lodges, the American Legion, and was a life member of the Sierra Club and the American Institute of Graphic Arts.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Virginia F. (Haberman) Sendor; his daughter, Jill Sendor-Laychak, and her husband, Douglas P. Laychak of Stamford, CT.; his son, Jonathan B. Sendor and his wife, Susan Sendor of Denver, CO; his brother, Mortimer S. Sendor of Brighton, MA; three grandchildren, Morgan L. and Maxwell D. Sendor, both of Glenview, IL, and Douglas E. Laychak, of Norwalk, CT; one great-grandchild, Jake D. Laychak, of Norwalk, CT; and many nieces and nephews.

His funeral will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 10, at Hoyt-Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 5 East Wall Street, Norwalk, CT. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Norwalk.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: New York City College of Technology Foundation, Bernie Sendor Scholarship Fund, 300 Jay Street, Namm Hall 323, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201.