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Bernardo Blanco Obituary
February 1, 1962 - May 11, 2021
Bradenton, Florida - On May 11, 2021, after a hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer, Bernardo DeJesus Blanco, 59, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Born on February 1, 1962 in Havana, Cuba, he and his family left for the United States in 1967, just days before his fifth birthday. Settling in Bradenton, FL, Bernardo grew up in Manatee County, attended Bayshore High School and obtained his Associates in Arts degree from Manatee Community College. He then attended the University of South Florida where he earned both his Bachelor's in English Education, and his Master's in Educational Leadership. Always seeking to further his love of education and his love for Christ, Bernardo later went on to earn his Master of Arts in Religion from Liberty University's John W. Rawlings School of Divinity.
He served his country honorably as a United States Marine, then returned home to continue his service to others by teaching middle school and high school English and Reading for the School District of Manatee County. For over 27 years he focused his passion for teaching on reaching those students who often tended to fall through the educational cracks. His love of teaching and for his family were surpassed only by his love and devotion to Christ.
Bernardo is preceded in his passing by his father, Bernardo Blanco, and his only sister, Magdalena Hood. He is survived by his loving wife of 19 years, Rachel Blanco; mother, Maria Blanco; two brothers; Sam Blanco and Rick Blanco; sisters-in-law; Debbie Blanco and Melissa Doar; brother-in-law, Troy Hood; one niece; six nephews and four great-nephews.
A Memorial Service shall be held for Bernardo on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 10:30AM at the Lakewood Ranch Baptist Church, 5600 Deer Drive, Sarasota, Florida. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or a charity of your choosing.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Bernardo Blanco
4 Entries
Katie Cepeda
May 22, 2021
I’m glad to have met you and to have been taught so many life lessons by you that I still use till this day. I know now you are gone and you are in a better place but I hope to still live up to the expectation you have left with me through this lifetime and make you proud of me even when you can’t see the person I become. I’m glad you made my days bright and full of laughter even when I wasn’t usually in the mood to be happy or proud of myself for so little I accomplished.
Thank you for being a second father figure to me and showing me if I work hard then I can always become the person I want to be. You’ve shown a side of a teacher I’ve only seen my last two years at BRHS and that’s you cared about your students and the love may have been tough (some days) but it was still love. Thank You for at least watching me walk down the stage
I hope you’ll be proud of me.
- Katie Cepeda
Class of 2019
Greg Coker
May 17, 2021
An awesome Christian brother, friend, colleague, and Marine. I guess God needed another street guard. Semper Fi Marine.
Sandra Smelker
May 17, 2021
I worked with Bernardo at PHS for many years , he was also a guest at my wedding. He will be missed but is with Jesus now
Kathleen Lyon Crenshaw
May 15, 2021
I was in Bernardo’s graduating class. He always had a smile in his face. He was well liked by everyone. I had not seen him again after graduation until a few years ago. He told me about his wife Rachel and his love of riding his bike. It was great to see him again.
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