Sidney Bratt, architect of Reading's Home Rule Charter, remembered for public service
As the principal architect of Reading's Home Rule Charter, Sidney Bratt made a profound impact on the city's government, but he was not intrinsically political, state Sen. Judy Schwank said.
"Simply put, he just felt good government was important," Schwank said. "He supported candidates modestly, encouraging those he felt were doing the right things."
Bratt, the owner of Industrial Plywood and Aluminum Building Products, and chairman of the city's former Charter Commission, died Tuesday in his Wyomissing home. He was 96 .
A Holocaust survivor, Bratt was put on a train by his mother as part of the Kindertransport rescue effort to save Jewish children from Nazi occupied territories. He was sent to England, where he lived until the end of World War II. He immigrated to New York in 1948 before moving to Reading in 1956.
Holocaust survivors' stories shared by their granddaughters at Berks History Center
"PopPop Sid was the epitome of strength and perseverance," granddaughter Michele Leisawitz said. "His life defied the odds."
The owner of two Reading businesses, Bratt had a simple philosophy of bringing customers the best quality product available, he told the Reading Eagle in 1992.
That business sense spilled over into his beliefs about city government.
"We've got to get good people into office," he said in 1999, reflecting on the state of the city at the end of its fourth year under home rule. "If you get good people in, with this tool (the charter), you are really going to see Reading take off."
Schwank said Bratt encouraged her — and others who he believed had something to contribute — to run for office.
"I reached out to him when I was running for county commissioner," the state senator said. "I was really green, and he was so knowledgeable, encouraging and helpful."
Marcia Goodman-Hinnershitz, who served five terms on City Council, credits Bratt with encouraging her to run first for the Reading School Board and, later, council.
"He was so civically engaged; he was actually a role model for me," she said. "He encouraged me to become involved in city government."
In addition to heading the charter commission, Bratt served on the Reading Parking Authority and on the boards of community and religious groups.
Bratt was committed to the city, not just through his business interests but on a deeply personal level as well, said former Mayor Karen Miller, who served from 1980 through 1987.
Miller said Bratt was dedicated to efforts to develop Reading's riverfront for mixed uses, including recreation.
She remembered Bratt joining her in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for upgrades to Riverfront Park in the early 1980s.
"Sid wouldn't settle for a ribbon cutting with scissors," she said. "He brought a piece of wood and a chainsaw. He was doubled over laughing, watching me holding that chainsaw."
Former Mayor Tom McMahon said he came to know Bratt in the early 1990s when they were exploring alternative forms of government for the city.
"Sid was just a very interested and involved guy," McMahon said. "He was knowledgeable about all forms of government a third-class city could have at that time."
Under the city's former commission form of government, four elected council members shared administrative duties with the mayor, and each of the five oversaw city departments.
Home rule, which was advocated by Bratt and went into effect in 1996, placed the day-to-day operations of the city under the mayor and a council-approved managing director. A part-time council of seven became responsible for legislative decisions.
He acknowledged the charter's imperfection, noting there could be a need for changes and building into it the ability to make amendments and conduct reviews.
"What is good for the city today, won't necessarily be good for it in five or 10 years," he said in 1995.
Council President Donna Reed came to know Bratt as one of a group of civically engaged city business leaders.
"They contributed to the community, both monetarily and by volunteering," she said. "They tried to make governance better. Sid was a great example of that."
To a person, those interviewed used the word "gentleman" in describing Bratt. He was also described as "nice," "kind," and "gentle."
"He always had a warm smile for everyone," Schwank said.
His grandchildren saw those same traits in Bratt's family life.
"He not only was my grandfather, but was a pillar of our community and my hero," Leisawitz said. "PopPop Sid was steadfast in his relentless pursuit of truth and fairness, as well as his insistence on putting family above all else."
Grandson Aaron Wernick said his grandfather demonstrated the importance of family to his grandchildren.
"No matter how busy he may have been with his myriad work, civic and other voluntary commitments, he would always make time," Wernick said, "not only to spend with family, but to show us the importance of hard work, conscientiousness and generosity."
"PopPop Sid was the same person in all facets of his life," granddaughter Stacy Seltzer said, "You could count on him to be prepared, professional, poised and punctual."
He could be relied on in all his relationships, she noted, and embodied the values of honesty and hard work.
"He taught us that treating others the right way was always right, whether with family, community or in business," Seltzer said.
Bratt is survived by his wife, Esther; daughter Evelyn, wife of Dr. Jay Lipschutz, Allentown; and daughter Corinne, wife of Andy Wernick, Reading; four grandchildren and their spouses and 10 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Lisa Bratt.
Originally Published: September 20, 2024 at 7:24 a.m.
