Conrad Richard Bernier

1945 - 2021

Conrad Richard Bernier, age 75, of Plymouth, MA, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on September 19, 2021, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Boston, where he became an organ donor. He had struggled for 5 years with Autonomic Dysfunction decreasing blood pressure. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Louise (Perron) Bernier. He was born to Francis and Virginia (Curless) Bernier and raised in Caswell Plantation, Maine, where he attended Caswell Elementary and Limestone High School. He earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Northeastern University and an MBA with honors from Nasson College. His early career in banking included New England Merchants in Boston, Key Bank (formerly Depositors Trust) in Maine, and Consumers Bank (now Citizens) in Westborough, Mass. As a specialist in maintaining and enhancing financial soundness, he led Plymouth Five Cents Savings and Mid Maine Central Bank in Auburn, Maine. For 25 years, he led the Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, where he was President and CEO for 15 years and chaired the Board of Directors for 12 years.

Conrad's volunteer work ran wide and deep. For his many services to the Boy Scouts of America, he earned both the Strattner Award and the Silver Beaver Award - the BSA"s highest honor. As a member of several Boards of Directors, he guided financial and other decisions of organizations throughout the community such as: The Massachusetts Bankers Association, The Pittsfield Rotary Club, The Country Club of Pittsfield, The Berkshire Museum, Berkshire Place and 'Arrowhead', also known as The Herman Melville House. As a Board member of Downtown Inc., he helped make Pittsfield's center more vibrant and inviting. Through Pittsfield Cooperative's partnership with Allendale Elementary School, he encouraged children to value savings. In bestowing the Esther Quinn Memorial Award in 2009, the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce honored his service on their Board and the "enthusiasm, empathy, and effort" that characterized his widespread commitment to community development, inserting his own excitement and drive into any project he worked on. "It is a very appropriate recognition for someone who has served his community as unassumingly and effortlessly as Conrad has over the years," said the chair of the Award Committee.

Conrad enjoyed traveling, from family trips when his children were small, to winter vacations with his grandchildren in Vero Beach, FL. He and Louise traveled extensively in the U.S. and Europe. He played bocce, golf, and tennis and he ran cross-country and skied. An avid Patriots and Red Sox fan, he also enjoyed watching golf tournaments, both on TV and in person. More than anything else, Conrad enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, and especially his grandchildren. He introduced them to playing golf and entertained them by telling jokes, singing corny songs, and strumming along on his guitar by the fireside.

In addition to his wife Louise, Conrad is survived by his children, Jessica Smith and her husband George of Canton, Alyson Elmasian and her husband Joshua of West Melbourne, FL and Benjamin P. Bernier of Palm Bay, FL, and his grandchildren, Charles, Madelyn, Taylor, Ethan, Sara Jane, Addyson and Saré. He is also survived by his brothers, Mitchell Bernier and his wife Gaye of Maine, Vincent J. Bernier and his wife Kathy of Florida and Stewart Bernier and his wife Rowena of Connecticut. He is also survived by his in-laws, Jeannie Bernier, Prudence Bernier, and John Cross, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Simon Bernier and his wife Idoline, James Bernier and Herman Bernier, as well as his sisters, Lucille and her husband Reginald Bell, Linda Cross and Geraldine and her husband William Bicknell.

A memorial service will be private. His memory may best be honored through acts of kindness. In lieu of flowers, donations in Conrad's memory may be made to: St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, ATTN : Steven P. Hoffman - Director Research Administration Steward Health Care System LLC, 736 Cambridge St- CBR 112, Brighton, MA 01235