Daniel Elias Bookstein

Daniel Elias Bookstein, 87, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday evening, December 2, 2021 surrounded by his wife Ginny, his younger brother Fred, and close friends.  Dan resided in Hancock, MA, with Ginny Carlson Bookstein, his wife of 57 years, and their Newfie Fritz.

Dan was born and grew up in Detroit, MI, one of three sons of Harry Bookstein of Warsaw Poland and Detroit, and Judith Safran Bookstein of Kiev Russia and Detroit.  He attended Michigan State and then Wayne State University, graduating in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in Math and Engineering.  He embarked on a career in aerospace engineering, with tasks in structural design in San Francisco, Hartford, New Orleans where he met and married his wife Ginny, and Pasadena, where he worked at JPL on the NASA Surveyor moon landing spacecraft.  He went on to own and run a computer service bureau in Stamford, CT, and was drawn to the Berkshires, eventually moving to West Stockbridge, where he resided for 22 years. 

He attempted to retire in January 1994 when he attended a land auction, purchasing what he thought was a sleepy-time campground in Hancock, but evolved into 150 full-service campsites that had been started, but only about 10% completed.  Retirement, HA, he had never worked so hard in his life!  For nearly 30 years, Dan continued, as co-owner with Ginny, operating Berkshire Vista Resort, planning for the 2022 summer season until a few weeks ago, when Congestive Heart Failure came on suddenly.  

His proudest accomplishment was bringing bands to the Sunning Lawn at Berkshire Vista on holiday weekends.  Dan loved the natural beauty of the Berkshire hills and meadows, he loved music, from the BG’s to Beethoven, and in earlier years, loved boating, both power & sail.

Dan is survived by his wife Ginny, his son Harold Benjamin Bookstein, and his brothers Joe Bookstein in La Jolla, CA and Fred Bookstein in Seattle, WA and brothers in law John Carlson of Newbury Park, CA and Tom Carlson of Dallas TX, and their families.  He also leaves behind his nieces Victoria Bookstein of Berkeley, CA and  Amelia Kyazze of London England, Lisa Bookstein Bloom in Chicago, IL and their families, and his nephews Ken Bookstein, Portland OR and Robert Bookstein, San Diego CA, and their families.

There will be no viewing or wake at this time, but a Memorial Service will be planned for May.  In lieu of flowers, a contribution to the Hancock Volunteer Fire Dept., the Hancock Veterans Memorial Park or Hospice Care of the Berkshires would be welcome.