Pasquale F. "Pat" DeBernardo

Pasquale F. "Pat" DeBernardo, 81, of Wyoming, RI passed away on Wednesday, March 31st. He was the loving & devoted husband to Claudia (Impagliazzo) DeBernardo, to whom he was married for 51 years.
He was born in Westerly, RI to Angelo & Frances (Vetelino) DeBernardo. He spent the first ten years of his life in Westerly. The family then built a new home across the river in Pawcatuck, CT where he grew up.
He was a graduate of Stonington High School. In 1962, he then entered the United States Army. During his basic training in Company G, 2nd Training Regiment, he was selected as one of the top 3 of nearly 1000 soldiers. He was very proud to serve our country. This was just the beginning of Pat's life of public service.
Upon his return from service in Vietnam, Pat began a 42-year long career at General Dynamics, Electric Boat Division as a financial analyst. In 1968, Pat became ill and was sent to RI Hospital for treatment. It was there his life changed forever because he met a student nurse at check in that he knew would one day become his wife.
Upon his recovery and then his marriage, Pat worked days at Electric Boat, then attended Bryant College in Providence at night using his G.I. Bill benefits. He graduated in May of 1973, with his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Pat began serving the town of Richmond, where he and Claudia made their home, in the late 70's by serving on the Tax Board of Review. In 1982, he also became a founding member of the Hope Valley-Wyoming Fire District, a position he retained for nearly 40 years, serving also as Vice-Chairman and for the last 6 years as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the district. His community service did not stop there. He also served on the Richmond Town Council from the mid-80's until the early 90's, serving as the president of the Council from 1988-1990. He was also a member and former chairman of the Richmond Democratic Town Committee for many years until his passing.
Pat enjoyed not only serving his community but was also a voracious reader of any book he could get his hands on, usually reading more than one book at a time. He loved the New York Yankees. He was also a linesman at the Chariho High School football games and served on the board of the Chariho Cowboys Pop Warner league. Most important of all of his loves, his family topped them all. He is survived by his beloved wife Claudia, their two daughters, Gina DeBernardo of Richmond and Cindy Raymond (Brian) of Millville, MA as well as his beloved grandson, Jason Raymond, also known as "Grampa's boy." He is also survived by his loving brother, Richard (Georgette) as well as a niece and four nephews, many more cousins and the friends he considered family.
A wake will be held on Wednesday, April 7th at Buckler-Johnson Funeral home in Westerly, RI from 4-7 PM and a mass of Christian Burial at St. Michael the Archangel church in Pawcatuck, CT on Thursday, April 8th at 10AM. Burial to follow at St. Sebastian Cemetery, Westerly. Social distancing guidelines and other public health directives (i.e., use of facemasks) are in place. All are welcome to attend to help celebrate Pat's life.
For online condolences, please visit www.averyfuneralhome.com