Don Bernstine passed away on April 19. He is sorely missed by his family, friends and the many veteran rock stars he came to know as the manager of acquisitions/artist relations for Hard Rock Worldwide Headquarters.
Don would tell anyone who asked, he had “the greatest job in the world,” negotiating deals for rock memorabilia to decorate the nearly 150 Hard Rock Cafes worldwide, including the signature leather jackets worn by the Ramones, the “monkey guitar” played by Black Sabbath’s Tommy Iommi and a guitar donated by Eric Clapton (which, by the way, was transported by airplane in its own first class seat).
But when he wasn’t gallivanting around the globe for work, Don enjoyed a quiet life at home with his dogs. His mother Marge said Don had been a lover of dogs all his life.
That love has been artistically memorialized in the Big Dog pin, created exclusively by Hard Rock. The design features a rendering of Don’s two Newfoundlands, Sydney and Dym along with a guitar representing his love of music. Hard Rock has made it possible so that 100 percent of the net proceeds from sales of this pin will benefit the Donald K. Bernstine Memorial Fund in support of Best Friends Animal Society, specifically the construction of the new Puppy Care Center, an all-inclusive facility for orphaned puppies and expectant or nursing mothers. Currently, the pin is also available at the Hard Rock Cafes in Los Angeles, New York, Orlando and London.
To date, the Bernstine Memorial Fund has raised close to $10,000 for Best Friends. Don’s brother, Martin says his brother’s generosity serves as a fitting legacy and tribute to “the Big Dog himself.”
“Don will be described and thought of as many things,” notes Martin. “To some, he was a wealth of knowledge in the industry, to others he was ‘Wild and Crazy Don,’ but to us, he was a loving brother who put others first and always had a kind word for you no matter what. Don will be missed deeply by us, his family, and by his friends — but he certainly left his mark on this world. I hope all who knew him will remember him with a big smile and a loving heart.”
The Big Dog pin was unveiled at a private party held on Sept. 16, Don’s birthday at the NYC Hard Rock Cafe. The party was hosted by Don’s best friends and sponsored by Hard Rock. Nearly 100 friends and family members enjoyed the evening, and everyone left with a Big Dog pin.
“People came from all over the country to join in the celebration,” notes Martin. “Everyone told their favorite ‘Don’ stories. I always knew he was well-loved — just hearing all of these people, many of whom I never met, tell these wonderful touching, funny stories — well, it was just an honor for our family to be there.”
Marge adds, “The event was a thrill. Everyone knew Don through his dogs, that’s just the way he was. And the Hard Rock people were just wonderful. I had never known of a corporation honoring someone like this. The evening couldn’t have been nicer.”
Melissa Steimer, interim director of development at Best Friends said this generous gesture moved her greatly.
“What an inspirational way to turn the Bernstine family’s loss into a living legacy,” says Steimer. “Our pets take us through so many transitions in life… and Best Friends is honored to help Sydney and Dym rock on by celebrating Don’s love for animals. We will be opening our new Puppy Care Center this spring, and the proceeds from the Big Dog pin will provide generations of homeless puppies with everything they need to find their own forever homes.”
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The Best Friends Puppy Care Center is currently under construction. Once open, it will accommodate up to 240 puppies and mothers. The facility will provide state-of-the-art medical, behavioral and emotional care — all to help ensure that puppies are adopted permanently into happy homes. The facility combines local aesthetics and “green” elements with best practices in animal care and provides new space for Best Friends to pioneer its model outreach programs in support of No More Homeless Pets. And by purchasing a Big Dog Pin, you’re helping Best Friends build this remarkable facility.
The Big Dog Pin costs $12 and may be purchased on the Hard Rock Café online store by clicking here.
Direct donations to the Puppy Care Center can be made here.
Written by Amy Abern
Photos by Gary Kalpakoff and provided courtesy of the Bernstine family
As part of Best Friends’ 25th anniversary in 2009, our goal is to double our membership, so we can double our efforts to bring about a time when all companion animals have a forever home. What can you do to help? Give the Gift of a Best Friends membership to family and friends.
