Gary John Bernard, age 56, of 823 Wisconsin Avenue, Gladstone, passed away Saturday, July 23, 2011, at the St. Francis Hospital, in Escanaba, following a brief illness.
Gary was born July 26, 1954, in Sault Ste. Marie, the son of John and Margaret (Fillippis) Bernard. He was raised in Sault Ste. Marie and was a 1972 graduate of the Sault Ste. Marie High School. Following high school, Gary enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. and on July 7, 1975 he was united in marriage to the former Cheryl Ford in Honolulu, Hawaii. While in the Marines, Gary was stationed abroad before returning to Gladstone where he and Cheryl made their home and raised their family. Gary was employed as an Information Technician, for the State of Michigan, for many years, before retiring due to his declining health. He enjoyed fishing, bow hunting and spending time with his three little treasures, his granddaughters, Isabelle, Mary Lynn and Sage. Gary was the anchor and sunshine of his family
Anonymous
We are so sorry to hear of the sad loss of our cousin Gary. You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time, and we send you our sincere condolences. May he live on in your beautiful memories as the special person he was in your lives. May you keep him close and in your hearts, now and forever. We send you all our heartfelt sympathy.With love, from your Australian cousins
Marietta Mesiti & family
Frank & Pina Roperti & family
Nick & Pina Roperti & family
Dominic & Lina Fedele & family
Tony & Sue Roperti & family
Family in Australia
Sydney
My Beloved, I miss you more than I can say. I stare at your picture every night trying to find some comfort to ease my broken heart. I will be strong for you honey. I’ll meet you at the gates of Heaven when its my turn to go. cher
Chery Bernard
R.I.P. Gary and may god bless and console your family
Carmine Bonacci
Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Myself and my sons, John and Scott Ocha would like to send our prayers of codolences to Gary’s family. They were our neighbors back in the 1980’s.Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bless.
Laura Anderson Family
Gladstone, MI
We send our condolences to all of Gary’s family. Our thoughts & prayers are with you at this difficult time. Sincerely, Cheryl & Dennis
Cheryl Bernard
DeTour Village, MI
Dear Nancy, Margaret and family; I was so sad to learn of Gary’s passing. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. Sincerely, Karen Stabile
Karen Stabile
Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Dear Nancy, Margaret and family; I was so sad to learn of Gary’s passing. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. Sincerely, Karen Stabile
Karen Stabile
Sault Ste. Marie, MI
I am very sorry to learn of Gary’s passing. Prior to my retirement, I worked with Gary for several years at the Schoolcraft County Dept. of Human Services. He was very knowledgable regarding his job and certainly saved me much grief when I was “fighting” with our computer systems. Gary had a great sense of humor and we shared many laughs. My deepest sympathies to Gary’s family.
Dennis L. Ylinen
Manistique, MI
Dear Family,
I was saddened to hear of your loss. I worked with Gary for many years in the office in Manistique and shared many laughs and talks with him. He had lots of patience and needed it as I was computer illiterate and he was constantly having to “fix” my machine. I know you will find comfort in your years of family life and he always spoke of you with love.
Lynne and Tom Miller
Cooks, MI
We send our condolences to all of Gary’s family. We are so sorry for your huge loss. Our thoughts & prayers are with all of you.Sincerely, Dennis, Cheryl, & Family
Cheryl Bernard
DeTour Village, MI
My condolences to the entire Bernard family. I got to know Gary a bit the last few years and I always liked him. Easy to talk to, razor sharp wit and a man who very much loved his family. I think the pictures of him with his grandkids says it all. He will be greatly missed and I hope you all can look back and smile sooner rather than later. I will be here if any of you wanna chat. Love you guys.
Shane Depuydt
Gladstone, MI
I am so sorry for your loss. I remember Gary always being happy and joking around. His family was his whole life. I remember being your neighbor and you always put a smile on my face. I will always remember him. Cheryl and children, you need to stay strong and be there for each other. Im so sorry.
Tammi Stemick
Kaukauna, WI
I was shocked to read of the loss of Gary. Remember living on Bingham street when Gary and I were kids. Chery and I work together at the War memorial. Gary loved his wife and kids a great deal. My heart goes out to all the Bernard family. Thoughts and prays to all.
The Smith Family
Gladstone, MI
Daddy, you have been my hero my whole life. I came to see you today. I hugged you and kissed you and I wished so bad that things were different. I love and miss you so much it hurts. Sage has been asking for her Papa. I told her that you are “bowling with the Angels” and that God is taking care of you. I love you. I miss you daddy. Talk to you later.
Krissy
Gladstone, MI
My heartfelt prayers and thoughts are with the entire family. Gary has a great person….I’ll always remember his quick wit and joyous laughter. Gary always was an uplift for everyone around him. Cousin..Shirley
Shirley Van Alstine
Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Everyone was at the house today. We got some beers and some food and had a little party like you wanted us to. Your plot is very nice. You are next to a big tree, so you will have some shade. The babies have been askin for ya. They miss you to. Damn pops you left us to soon. It is so hard to think of the rest of my life without you. I should have gone first. You should have lived to see the babies go to school and go to prom and graduate. I would gladly trade places with you. Your picture on here looks good. I love you pops.
Ryan Bernard (son)
Gladstone, MI
Dad, I love you so much. You have been my rock through so much nonsense. I already miss you like crazy. I am used to your humor and attitude. I loved how you could see me through the many issues I had with humor and love mixed. You took no shit and that was good. You were moms soul mate. She is so lost without you pops. I need you to come back. We all do. You were so good at what you did. I am so sorry you had to leave us. You know I was not religious so I am not gonna tell you some religious thing. I just want you to know I miss you terribly and love you more than anything. Come back pops. Please.
Ryan Bernard (son)
Gladstone, MI
i’m so sorry for your loss Cheryl & the kids i remember Gary and he was a nice man…i wont forget the memories living next to you guys…you were great neighbors…im here if you need anything just let me know.
Allyson Doneau
Rapid River , MI
I have only been around Gary a few times, but have the pleasure of knowing his children. Gary obviously was a very good man. My deepest sympathies go out to all of Gary’s family and close friends. Josh, Ryan, Jason and Kristin: if you need to talk, I am never far away. Once again, I am sorry.
Angie Flath Lindstrom
Escanaba, MI
It is with great sadness I have learned of cousin Gary’s passing and even more sad that distance has kept us from being a closer part of his wonderful life. Cheryl and family have my deepest sympathy in the loss of a wonderful son, husband, dad and grandfather.
Judy Nadeau-Zerr
Wenatchee, WA