COOPER CITY, Fla. — Pastry chef Mordehay “Miki” Grunberger had just turned 71 on Jan. 7. Nine days later, he would fall victim to a freak accident involving a dough-mixing machine at his longtime workplace in North Miami Beach.

Now, family members are mourning their beloved patriarch.

Grunberger worked at the South Florida Kosher Market, located at 1324 NE 163rd St., and died there after the accident at around 4 a.m. on Friday.

Grunberger, of Cooper City, was the sole provider for his family, including five children and ten grandchildren. He grew up as a sailor and a Navy captain in Israel and spent his career as a well-known and popular pastry chef in South Florida.

Family members said he would get up at 3 a.m. every day to get to work.

Grunberger, described by son Shoval Grunberger as exuding “so much love and selflessness,” was buried two days after the sudden loss.

“We weren’t even sure if we were going to be able to bury him that day, because of the finances,” Shoval Grunberger said.

The case is still being investigated. However, North Miami Beach police said there has been no evidence of foul play and the incident appears accidental, with Grunberger somehow getting caught up in the machine.

As they mourn, family members await answers about the bizarre accident.

“We’ll find out,” Shoval Grunberger said.

Family members pray that he didn’t suffer. His son wears his father’s shirt, now torn, as a sign of mourning and grief.

Family members have set up a GoFundMe page to help with expenses. As of Monday evening, it had raised more than $7,000.

Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.