Funeral Details

Bruce Lowell Mondschain

September 30, 1942 - August 25, 2026

SERVICE INFORMATION

Date and Time

Sunday, August 30, 2026 at 1:30 PM

Service

Chicago Jewish Funerals
Buffalo Grove Chapel
195 North Buffalo Grove Road
Buffalo Grove, Illinois 60089
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Clergy

Cantor Jay O'Brien
Makom Solel Lakeside

Interment

Shalom Memorial Park
1700 West Rand Road
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004
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Shiva

Makom Solel Lakeside
1301 Clavey Road
Highland Park, Illinois 60035
847.433.3555
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Sunday 4:30PM- 8PM
Monday 5PM- 8PM

Memorial Contributions

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to a meaningful charity of your choice.




OBITUARY

Bruce Lowell Mondschain, age 83.
Beloved husband for 61 years of Ellen, nee Berkus. Loving father of Ross Mondschain, Melissa Mondschain and Daniel (Sari Tiersky) Mondschain. Proud grandfather of Leo, Eden, Frankie and Monty Mondschain. Dear brother of Rivel (the late Phil) Greenberg. Will be missed by many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Bruce was a lover of music, from folk to opera. Also, a voracious reader, and avid fisherman. He was an active photographer in Chicago for over 50 years, focusing on portraits and fine arts figure study. He was most proud of his Pete Seeger portraiture, currently archived at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC. More than anything he treasured and valued his deep and committed friendships, some going back over 70 years. He infused a sense of love, safety, and connection into every one of his relationships. Service Sunday, August 30, 2026, 1:30 PM at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 195 North Buffalo Grove Road (One block North of Lake Cook Road), Buffalo Grove. Interment Shalom. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to a meaningful charity of your choice. To attend the funeral livestream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals – Buffalo Grove, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com.

This obituary is protected against unauthorized reproduction or redistribution without the funeral home or family's permission.


GUEST BOOK

We encourage you to share your personal condolences and stories of Bruce Lowell Mondschain below and we will share them with the family.
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Holding you all close to my heart. Bruce was such a gift in this world. Your family is so special and strong. Surrounding you all in love and light as your navigate the unimaginable.

Emily Halliday
August 26, 2026
Bruce touched so many people with his incredible charm, sharp wit and quick smile. He was a great friend and mentor to me and Cyndi. Much love to Ellen and family. Rest in Peace my friend.

Bill and Cyndi Mincy
August 26, 2026
I am sending you all so much Love and Strength. Bruce made an indellible mark on my life and the lives of so many others. Holding each of you in loving light.

Kylon Hooks
August 26, 2026
Bruce and I work together in the field of aging throughout the United States. He developed programs that assisted hundreds of hospitals and thousands of seniors or wellness and an active life. Above all, his family was his life. I’m so happy that had the opportunity to work by his side. I thanks for being a special friend.

Sue Maxwey
August 26, 2026
Bruce was a very honorable and a very admirable man. He made a positive impact upon my life and his legacy will live on through the many people he influenced. A life well lived. Thank you, my friend.

Dave Flowers
August 26, 2026
I am shocked and so saddened by this news. My heart goes out to all of you.
Leslie Rosen

Leslie Rosen
August 26, 2026
Ellen, Melissa, Daniel and Ross. Thinking of all of you during this very difficult time. From the day I met the Mondschains you made me feel like family. Bruce was special. His creativity, his curiosity and the ease of connection was very special.
Will see you all on Sunday. ❤️

Michael Davis
August 26, 2026
We are so very saddened to learn of Bruce’s passing. We have known and admired Bruce and Ellen since joining Solel in 1980, almost 50 years of camaraderie, serving together on various committees and always gaining respect for a fine man and a great couple. We will miss him forever and may his memory be for a blessing.

Gussin Ellen and Lee
August 27, 2026
To the Mondschain family,

You have my deepest condolences, Bruce was a very dear friend to me over a span of 30+ years. Though we worked hard together, we also shared family stories (great times and struggles). Bruce often spoke so highly of his adored grandchildren and all their successes. Bruce had the ability to listen and shared such positive input and knowledge. I will miss my friend. May he now rest in heavenly peace.

Kathy Smith
August 27, 2026
His memory will be blessing for all who knew Bruce.

Martin Levine
August 27, 2026
Bruce was my high school counselor at the Bernard Horwich Center in the late 60s - we argued all the time but in many ways he was a role model that lead to my being a counselor at CHI for 4 years - kinda made me a mensch. In ways i never fully understood he also befriended my mother Shirley - i believe through an Oklansky connection relative in the Twin Cities - may his memory to so many be a blessing

Bill Pomeranz
August 27, 2026
I have such fun memories of Bruce from our Camp Chi days. I think it was three or four summers that we work together. We were like the big chill crew. We had a wonderful group of staff that always worked together. I was shocked to hear the news about him. He was a very special person. May his memory be a blessing for the whole Mishpacha Linda Epstein.

Linda Epstein Epstein
August 27, 2026
My condolences to the Mondschain family and all of Mr. Mondschain's friends.

Patrick J Barry
August 27, 2026
My heart is with all who knew Bruce and thus inherently learned from his wisdom, were blessed by his graceful creativity and adored him for so many reasons. He made - and left - our world a better place. We give loving thanks.

David Macknin
August 27, 2026
So saddened to hear about Bruce. A few lifetimes ago Bruce made it possible for me to attend Camp Chi which provided me with great opportunities and important experiences. I babysat for Bruce and Ellen when Ross was a baby and came to see them as a wonderful example of the kind of marriage and partnership that I strived to attain. Unfortunately, we lost touch when I left Chicago for New York, then Israel, then Oregon where I still live. I never forgot Bruce and send my deepest condolences.

Rachel Grycman/Rosenberg
August 27, 2026
Dear Daniel & Sari and family,
We are sending you condolences from Canada. We were so sorry to hear of your dad's untimely passing. We hope that fond memories of good times will get you thru this sad time.
With sympathy, Ronnie and Eileen

Eileen Erlick
August 27, 2026
Dear Sari, Daniel and family,
Itzik and I are so sorry for your loss! We are sending you so much love from all of us in Montreal! Sending you and your families our most sincere and deepest condolences.
Xoxo
Jennifer, Itzik, Aiden & Adam

Jennifer Radowitz
August 28, 2026
It was a beautiful service and we are blessed to have known Bruce. He made us feel special and was always interested in our lives. Sending prayers and love to you all.

Stacy Vitale
August 30, 2026
Bruce hired me at JCC in 1984. He was jsuch a force! A Bright, charming, caring and hilarious character. I have so many fond memories and so appreciate how caring and ever present he was. I will remember him for his stories and heartf!

Jean Alletag
August 30, 2026
Its been a long time since we talked or connenected. I was so sadden to hear of Bruce's passing. . Ellen you Bruce Allan and I shared so much years ago. So many memories came to mind. I am so sorry you have to go threw this terrible loss.
You have a beautiful family. It was nice to see them as adults. I only remember them as very young children. If you feel like it. I would love to reconnect in the future. Wishing you and your family the best. Love Georgean swartz

Georgean Swartz
August 31, 2026