Community Corner

Westmore News Founder Dies at 86

Bernard Abel tackled controversial topics and won praise for the journalism he produced in the 45-year-old newspaper.

Bernard Abel, the founder of the Westmore News, a weekly newspaper that covers Rye Brook and Port Chester, died Saturday of renal failure.

Abel started the Westmore News in December 1964 because he believed the Town of Rye's daily newspaper ignored many important stories and distorted facts in many aspects of its coverage. 

During his career, he covered several high profile stories, such as the dissolution of an arson ring in Port Chester in the 1960's. He also opposed the creation of the Blind Brook School District because he initially viewed it as a way for Blind Brook to separate itself from Port Chester. 

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Though he eventually handed the reigns of the newspaper to his son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Jananne Abel, Bernard still wrote editorials and columns about topics that truly concerned him.

His funeral will be held today at 1 p.m. at Congregation KTI in Port Chester.

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To read Bernard Abel's full obituary, please visit the Westmore News' website.


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