BERNIE TRANQUADA

October 28, 1933 – January 16, 2025 Our darling father loved anything in flight: an airplane taking off, a kite rising in the breeze, a hawk gliding over a field. He soared in life as well, always keeping his loved ones safe and close to his heart. Bernie was born to John and Leopoldina Tranquada in Georgetown, Guyana. As the youngest of 11 children, he had a lot of freedom to explore the sugar cane fields and jungle surrounding Georgetown. He dodged piranhas, encountered spider monkeys and once helped catch a giant anaconda. Throughout his 91 years, he maintained a sense of wonder and curiosity. The world was endlessly fascinating for him and full of good stories. Bernie immigrated to Canada in 1953 and fulfilled his dream of flying. He joined the RCAF and piloted Harvards, T-33s and CF-100s with a NATO group based in Alberta. His other dream followed him from Guyana to Canada, the beautiful love of his life, Joan Nobrega. They married in 1957 and celebrated with a Betty Crocker cake. They soon welcomed the birth of their daughter, Donna (Graeme), followed by Tami (Paul). Bernie and Joan shared 66 years of love and laughter in Port Credit, Jarvis and Burlington. Bernie was a gentle and devoted father. He took us canoeing, built pillow forts, played tennis, and brought home stray kittens and wounded birds. He loved pranks. One day, he told us our hamster was really a baby buffalo. It made for an unforgettable moment when Donna took Hammy to school for show-and-tell. On family road trips we belted out songs from Broadway musicals. Oh, he could sing! During a visit to Guyana, he led us through the jungle, taught us how to catch lizards and showed us the majestic Kaieteur Falls. Because of him we love books, maps, travel, music and the latest news. The arrival of his four grandchildren, Meghan (Jeff), Blane (Sara), Matthew (Taryn) and Connor (Zoe), gave him new opportunities for adventures. He delighted them with elaborate haunted houses in the basement, took them on nature walks, spoiled them with ice cream. When they became teenagers, he gave them framed RCAF insignias with the message: "You'll never know how far you can fly, until you try your wings." Bernie's world got even larger and sweeter with his six great-grandchildren, Avery, Sage, Liam, Wynn, Keira and Colette. We see his mischief in their eyes and feel his warmth in their hugs. Bernie was also a beloved brother, brother-in-law and uncle. His many nieces and nephews adored his steadiness and sense of humour. His life was further enriched by good friends, kind neighbours and adopted family. He made people happy just by being in the room. Bernie spent the last two years of his well-lived life at the Shores of Port Credit seniors' residence, where he met new friends who helped him heal after the loss of Joan in 2023. We are especially grateful to his best buddy and brother in spirit, Ashley Anthony, who shared Bernie's love of family, history and generous shots of rum. Bernie died in the embrace of his daughters, Donna and Tami; his granddaughter, Meghan; and sons-in-law, Graeme and Paul. We're heartbroken that we've lost our pilot, navigator and wonderful friend. Our world won't be the same without him. But we will sing his favourite songs, tell funny stories and always look for him in the skies above. Many thanks to the kind residents and incredible staff at the Shores of Port Credit. Donations in Bernie's memory can be made to Guyana Christian Charities.