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George Flynn Bernardin
WEST BOYLSTON - George F. Bernardin, 83, of West Boylston, died on February 18, 2017 at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester after a sudden illness. Born July 8, 1933 in Andover, Bernardin was a graduate of Phillips Academy (Class of 1951); Princeton University (Class of 1955); and Harvard Law School (Class of 1960). His law career began with Goodwin, Proctor, and Hoar in Boston and continued with Norton Company (now Saint-Gobain) where he worked first as an attorney and later as Director of Corporate Purchasing & Transportation, a position he held until his retirement in 1991. For twenty years post-"retirement," he ran a private law practice in Worcester.
He leaves Barbara (Clark) his wife of 54 years; son John Bernardin and wife Gail (Collins) of Carlisle, Massachusetts; daughter Susan Bernardin and husband David Craig of Oneonta, New York; and five grandchildren: Clark, Meaghan, and Charlie Bernardin; Lucy and Grace Craig. The children of his late brother Eugene and his late sister Josephine found special comfort in his presence in their lives: Cathy, Piet, and Mary DeVries and Lauren Cutter; Amy, Gene, Lucy, and Dan Bernardin (who died in 2002). He treasured his time maintaining extensive gardens at home and spending time with his family every summer at Rye Beach, New Hampshire. He and his wife Barbara embraced travel adventures that took them to dozens of far-flung locales from Antarctica to Petra, Jordan, from St. Petersburg to South Africa.
George was known by many in the greater Worcester community for his decades of dedicated service to a wide range of organizations. He was devoted to serving his community, lending his expertise in planning, law, and finance to help organizations thrive. At All Saints Church in Worcester he served in many capacities, from the Building and Investment Committees to Junior and Senior Warden. His longterm work on behalf of YOU, Inc. which included serving as President and Honorary Director, was recognized in 1990 with the dedication of the George F. Bernardin Oxford House, a residential facility for at-risk teenage boys. A longtime supporter of the Worcester Art Museum, he served as a corporator. At the local and regional level, George lent his leadership to protecting and preserving open spaces. He served on the Community Preservation Committee and Town Planning Board in West Boylston and was a board member for the Greater Worcester Land Trust. A gifted gardener, he took special pride in contributing to the transformative growth of the Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, from its inception in the 1980s through its development into a regional and state treasure. Most recently he served as an Honorary Trustee. George was also a member of Preservation Worcester, Worcester Rotary Club, the Worcester Club, and his much-beloved Bohemian Club.
Calling hours will be held Friday, February 24, from 4 to 7pm at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster Street in Worcester. A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, February 25, at All Saints Church, 10 Irving Street, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive, Boylston, MA 01505 (www.towerhillbg.org), or to YOU, Inc. at Development Department, 81 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01604 (www.youinc.org).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Athy Memorial Home.
George was one of the good souls who left the world a better place than he found it.
I still miss him very much.
Christine Shustak
Friend
February 12, 2023
John we are so sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. Our thoughts & prayers go out to you and your entire family.
Jeff, Maria & Zack Bambury
February 23, 2017
God Bless you, may you rest in peace. May your family find comfort in the many good times you all shared.
Kathie Durfee
February 22, 2017
Lawyers don't often have a stellar reputation, but George was truly a class act. He was brilliant, creative, and kind, and was always there to make his friends feel treasured and welcomed. Knowing George in his role as my attorney, friend and colleague made my life far more worthwhile in every sense of the word.
My love goes out to Barbara and the family for their tragic loss.
Christine
Christine Shustak
February 22, 2017
George was a great mentor to me and a great advocate for YOU Inc.. He had a huge commitment to the community and he will be dearly missed by me and so many others. My thoughts and prayers are with Barbara and the family. Moe Boisvert
February 22, 2017
I HAVE LOST MY BEST FRIEND. WE HAD SO MANY GREAT TRIPS WITH GEORGE.GEORGE BUTLER
February 21, 2017
John I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. It was always a pleasure to speak with him. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Pat Burton-Hills
Patricia Burton-Hills
February 21, 2017
I am sorry to hear about George's passing. He was a good public servant whom I enjoyed working with.
Leon Gaumond
Acquaintance
February 21, 2017
George was one of the nicest, most thoughtful men...he lent me a kind hand when I first became a nonprofit executive, and his support of many youth-serving nonprofits throughout Worcester has many living legacies! Rest in peace.
Fred Kaelin
February 21, 2017
John sorry to hear about the passing of your father. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Doug Greene
February 21, 2017
George was a Gentleman of the Old School. Kind and Helpful. When I first arrived in Worcester for an assignment knowing not one person, He befriended me at All Saints and introduced me to so many nice folks. I would run home and write peoples names and associations down. He made my career and social Stop in Worcester much more fun and rewarding !.
Stephen Trent SEAMES
February 21, 2017
So sorry to hear about the passing of your wonderful Dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Jeanne & Stephen Lewis
February 21, 2017
Hon. and Mrs. Dennis Brennan extend their condolences to the family in this time of loss.
Hon. Dennis Brennan
February 19, 2017
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