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Bernard King Obituary
Bernard T. King, Dec. 1, 1926 to Oct. 7, 2007, married to his loving wife, Beverly for 59 years, Bernie was a proud father to Gregory, Kathleen, and Jeffrey; father-in-law to Gerald and Nancy, and grandfather to six. A WWII Veteran, born in Chicago as Bernard T. Kujawa. Bernie was known best for his musical talents in the entertainment business, and his efforts in creating and serving on the first Elk Grove Village Volunteer Fire Department. Moving his family to Tampa in 1972, Bernie thrived in the food business as Manager of the Carrollwood Village Golf & Country Club; General Manager of The Flame restaurant; and Owner of BABS Hot Dogs. Starting a new career in the sign business at age 60, Bernie served many clients in the Tampa Bay Area through his company Signs Etc. for two decades. A life celebration service is planned for Oct. 20 at 11 a.m. at Tampa Unity Church, 3302 W. Horatio where Bernie was a dedicated member. In lieu of flowers, donations to Tampa Unity Church designated for the Music Department in his honor.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Bernard King
Nicole Wilfinger
October 27, 2007
Dear Poppy,
I have been so sad & overwhelmed with the thought of losing both you and Grandpa in such a short period of time. However, I can take comfort in knowing that you are together and enjoying each other's company.
Thank you for welcoming me into your family & treating me like one of your own. I am so grateful that you were in my life.
Your music, laughter, humor, & spirit will be forever missed!
I love you
Jon Radtke
October 18, 2007
to the king family We extend our sincere sympathies to you on the loss of your dear father, friend and fishing buddy. May your many fond memories help you in this time of grief. Our thoughts are with you. Love your cousin the Radtke family
Kathy Johnson
October 18, 2007
My Dearest Dad,
I was not ready to lose you, but I guess we never are. I was not prepared for the physical pain, but it was there. I was not ready for missing you so very much already, but I do.
Thank you, Dad. For making life so interesting and different. For always being kind and gentle. For always being funny. For always being proud of me. For loving me no matter what.
You will always be my King and I will always be your Princess.
Love,
Kathy
Pam, Jerry, Katie, McGraw
October 15, 2007
Our Dear King Family,
What can we say about the most complete man that we've ever known. He followed his dreams wherever they took him and the utmost respect for our "Uncle Benny" will always be in our hearts. We know that he now lies in peace, for he suffers no longer. We are so very sad that he is no longer with us in body, but his spirit will be with us forever and that gives us comfort. Our prayers are always with you, our dear King family, for you have touched us in ways that will never be repeated.
We love you.
Paula Derbabian
October 15, 2007
Dear Jeff and Nancy: My heartfelt sympathies to you both. To say that this year has been marked as being one of great loss would certainly be an understatement. To lose your parent is difficult always--no matter the circumstance or age. I'm sure Bernie will live on in the precious memories you and your family have of him. My love and prayers for healing go out to the entire family. Love, Paula
Rick, Aretha & Carlie Jachimski
October 15, 2007
To the entire King family,
Your loss is shared by so many that knew and loved Poppy. We feel so blessed to have all of you as dear friends. He is sorely missed but we know that eventhough he is no longer with us phyically he will always be as close as our loving thoughts and memories of him. He is probably playing a lively toon on his piano and waiting for his polish sausage and a big peice of pie right now! Know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Benny & Nancy Gomez
October 15, 2007
Dear King Family,
When we met Bernie almost 20 years ago we knew instantly that he was a special man. Surrounded by a beautiful wife and family, there was such a closeness and his pride in his family that showed in everything he said and did. We shared many dinners together where we found ourselves riveted to each and every story he shared...what a spectacular life Bev and Bernie shared together...we still find ourselves sharing the many stories with our son that Bernie shared with us. Bernie was too full of life and will never leave those of us who knew and loved him.If you listen closely you can still hear him tinkering in his garage or bragging about his family...brag on Bernie we'll see you in Heaven one day!
David Wilfinger
October 14, 2007
Dear Poppy,
You are such a sweet and loving person. I'm feel very fortunate and blessed to have not only known you but also to be part of your family. I will miss your humor and fun loving spirit. Say hello to Grandpa Mike for me. I'm glad he will have another old timer to keep him company up there. I will never forget you.
Love, David
diane kelly
October 13, 2007
Dear King Family,
I just want all of you to know that I am keeping you in my prayers. I know he will miss you as much as you will miss him. I am sure he is watching over you and sending strengh and love your way to help you through this difficult time. He was a special man.
Love, Diane
Helen Manoogian
October 13, 2007
Hi Bernie,
I sure am going to miss your humor and, above all, your music. You were always so kind to me and loving. Thank you for the CDs of Chuck Salvo - I will always cherish them and think of you when I listen to them.
Please say hi to Mike and both of you have fun watching baseball from above.
Thank you for giving me Jeff for my Nancy - he is very much part of our family too.
So long for now, until we meet again.
Love, Helen
Tony and Tim
October 13, 2007
Dear Jeff, Nancy, Greg and Beverly,
Bernie always had a kind word and a quick joke to keep us
laughing. We looked forward to having the King
family as guests at Grama Grippos, and feel so blessed and
priviledged to become friends with all of you. You are
in our thoughts and prayers, and we love you.
TONY PALUMBO
October 13, 2007
TO MY UNCLE BENNY
IM SORRY I WAITED SO LONG TO COME TO FLORIDA TO VISIT YOU AND AUNT BEV I WILL MISS YOU VERY MUCH
LOVE
TONY AND LAURA
Dana and J. D. Stevens
October 13, 2007
Dearest Beverly, Jeff, Nancy, Greg and family,
We enjoyed Bernie's dry sense of humor, kindness and willingness to help others....will miss seeing him making signs in his garage.
This is a time for gathering all the best of a good life into the pages of memory, to be held in the heart forever.
Our thoughts and prayers to all of you that these precious memories will bring you peace and comfort.
Debbie Walters/Palumbo
October 13, 2007
Dear Uncle Bernie,
I can't believe your gone too! I know we havent seen each other in years but the few times you and Aunt Bev were in Chicago we all had a good time. I'll miss you and always love you. Say Hi to my mom!
Don & Clara McLaughlin
October 12, 2007
Bernie, I will miss that kiss and hug every Sunday from my special friend. You brought joy and humor to everyone who had the honor of knowing you. Take care and see you in the next life time.
Marie Innocenti
October 12, 2007
I realized after thinking for days, about the right words to say, that there really aren’t any.
Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, “Uncle” Bernie will be remembered by many different people for many different reasons, as his Goddaughter, he will continue to hold a place in my heart, and he will be missed.
Eveline (Pat) Dunning
October 12, 2007
Dearest Bernie & King Family: There are no appropriate words to express my sadness with the passing of Bernie. I offer my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family knowing there is an empty space in your hearts where laughter and love was shared with everyone. I will miss Bernie's laughter and jokes that we shared after church services. Noone can replace that laughter or that kiss on the cheek that I received every Sunday. He brought joy to my heart and I will always remember him. With you in heaven Bernie I know everyone is dancing to your music and laughing at your jokes. Farewell my fellow veteran and friend.
Love,
Eveline (Pat) Dunning
Frank & Debra Ingo
October 12, 2007
Dear Bernie,
Joseph Campbel, the famous historian said the true spiritual leaders on this earth were and still are the artists. They always had the ability to touch our spirit and make us more happy. They told the stories, sang the songs, made the music, and made people smile. You are one of these special spirits and you did your job oh so well as we see the proof in the quality of your fantastic immediate family and the scope of your large extended family. You made us all smile in our faces and our hearts. And it is that feeling that we say thank you hold you forever.
Love
Frank & Debra
ps greet me with our pinky fingershake when I see you again
Scott / Vinnie Barry/ Zeoli
October 12, 2007
To Bernie
You were an honor to have known. Your humor and quiet ways would catch me suprisingly off guard and I loved it.
Being able to spend some time with you and with Bev, outside of church gave me the chance to truly get to know you and I will say that I am the better because of it. I can truly say that my life is better because of knowing you.
To Jeff, Nancy and Greg:
You three will never know the amounts that you have touched Vinnie's and my life. Through your sharing of yourselves and your family we have been truly touched.
While you go through this tough time, know that we send you light, laughter, energy and prayer. Know that your families are being held in many peoples thoughts and prayers at this time. You are loved.
Scott And Vinnie
Jennifer Allen
October 11, 2007
Dear Beverly, and all of the children and grandchildren. Bernie always had a hug for me and a smile. May you rest in peace and have the best of times with all those who you are golfing with, fishing with, and playing music for...... Much love to you Bernie and all the King-Mercurio clan. Jen, Dr. Bill, Michelle, Joy, Catherine and Dawn.
Susan Scaglione
October 11, 2007
Jeff, Nancy, Greg, and sweet Beverly,
My fondest memories of Bernie is at Gramma Grippo's for lunch, after church. We all laughed and joked and just had a GREAT time together! Mark and I felt like we were family with this wonderful group of people. We will miss you, Bernie. Try to behave yourself now!!!
Love, Susan and Mark Scaglione
SFC Danny Paul
October 11, 2007
May he rest in peace. God Bless the Veterans.
My name is SFC Danny Paul, Area Coordinator for the Florida Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors Program. I am on active duty orders and serve in the Central Florida area to render honors to our Veterans.
We are mandated by Congress to make sure all Veterans receive a playing of Taps on a bugle and a flag folding presentation. We offer this service free of charge and we cannot receive tips or donations. If you are in need of an Honor Guard Team, please contact me at 727-235-9201 to arrange ceremony.
Jay King
October 11, 2007
My Grandpa was a very loving person. At any moment, I knew he would do whatever was necessary to make sure that I was happy. You always knew that he loved all of his children and grandchildren with all his heart, this is something that I grew up with that was never in question. Poppy would go well out of his way to help me with school projects or just use his sign making skills to customize something ordinary and make it special. Whether it was on the golf course, out fishing, or just sitting around the table playing cards, Poppy always had something funny to say or a story to tell. The world has lost a truly beautiful soul and I will never let my memories of the times we shared fade. A piece of my heart will always be reserved for my loving Grandpa, my Poppy.
Lisa Manoogian
October 11, 2007
Dear Bernie,
I have had the pleasure of sharing a Christmas, New Year's Eve and an 80th bday party with you and each one of those events were made more special because of you.
I always thought it was so cool that at the end of your fingertips you could start a party by playing piano - I remember telling you how I wish I would've grown up in your era because you looked like you always had fun and I hope that is still the case and that you are playing piano for everyone in your new life.
I'll find some good music to listen to here in Chicago in honor of you.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of your family who are missing you already.
Love, Lisa
tom manoogian
October 11, 2007
Bernie
We will all miss your sense of humor and your kindness. Glad you are with my Dad and brother where you can figure out what the heck we are all doing down here. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to know you
Take care up there and keep an eye on my Dad
Fletcher Dyches
October 11, 2007
No flower blooms forever...the sun has set, the day has passed and Heaven has welcomed a special person whose memory lives on in the hearts of many.
Love, Comfort and Peace, my friend.
Dave Slack
October 11, 2007
Dear Jeff & Greg - Your Dad was the nicest and best man I ever met. I just can't stop crying about losing him. He had such dignity. He was so proud of his family and loved you all so much. Dave
Nancy Mercurio
October 11, 2007
Dearest Poppy,
No daughter-in-law was luckier than me. You welcomed me into the King Family the day I met you, and always made me feel special. We had many wonderful times together this past 12 years, each of which has brought much joy to my life, and you will be sorely missed. Your humble and understated ways made it easy to love and respect you, and I will always be grateful for your love and support. It's hard to believe that Jeff and I lost both you and my Dad less than 20 weeks apart, but I take great comfort in knowing that you two are hanging out together now.
With love and gratitude,
Party Daddy
October 11, 2007
Alligator Daddy
October 11, 2007
Fishing with my dad!
Jeffrey King
October 11, 2007
Dear Dad,
You are my mentor, my role model and my friend. You were always my biggest supporter and there was never a time that I did not know how much you loved me. I will cherish the lifetime of memories you have given me, but most of all I will savoir the memory of our final conversation. I will always rest easy knowing that you knew how much I loved you.
I know you said that if the Cubs win, then you will know there was a heaven…well the Cubs lost, but I know you are in heaven now and at total peace.
Until that time when I see you again, please don’t put out all the fires because I want to see some, please keep your fingers limber because I love to listen to you play, please don’t catch all the bass because nothing is better than fishing with your dad, and most of all please save me some soup because sharing bowl of soup with you is when I know there is a heaven.
Your loving son
Greg King
October 11, 2007
My Dad was my hero - for so many reasons and in so many ways.
He will always be with me.
I love you Pop.
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