William W. Bernhart

1927 - 2024

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?William (Bill) W. Bernhart, 94, died peacefully at home on January 5, 2024 in Chester Connecticut. For 64 years, Bill was the beloved husband of the late Elizabeth (Tanner) Bernhart. Born in Winchester CT on July 22, 1929. He was the son of the late William M. and Elizabeth W. Bernhart. The family moved to West Hartford in 1939. He attended The Loomis School (1947) and Yale University (1951). During the Korean War, Bill served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. He then attended Cornell Graduate School (1954ME) before returning to Connecticut to begin a 32 year career with Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in E. Hartford. During that time, Bill received an advanced degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and was a CT Registered Professional Engineer. He retired in 1986 as Vice President Manufacturing Services for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft.

During his early retirement, Bill and his wife, Betty, moved to East Orleans, MA (Cape Cod) where they designed and built their waterfront home. He enjoyed tennis and most of all, captaining his boats, Osprey and Jubilee! He was a very accomplished bird carver and woodworker. His projects, including a canoe and a grandfather clock, were often donated to charity. After 16 years, they moved to Old Saybrook to be closer to family. There he was a member of the North Cove Yacht Club, the Old Saybrook Rotary Club and served on the board of the HOPE Project. He also continued to pursue his love of the water, often boating down the Intracoastal Waterway to Florida. In 2010, they moved to Masonicare Chester Village in Chester, CT. He was active on the resident finance board there and in the Chester Rotary Club. He made a great impact within this community with his warm smile, curious mind, sharp bridge playing skills and often acting as a mentor right up to his final days! Bill's greatest achievement there, at the age of 80, was designing and helping to build a long wooden foot bridge on the property. He often referred to his community, Masonicare Chester Village, as an "assisted living country inn" with caring staff, excellent nursing, and a wonderful group of people!

Bill is survived by his 3 children, William (Janet) T. Bernhart of Chester, CT, Lawrence (Juliet) W. Bernhart of Tolland, CT and Susan Bernhart Scott of Bluffton, SC. Also by his grandchildren, Michael (Christina) Bernhart of Glastonbury, Christopher (Farrah) Scott of West Palm Beach, Elizabeth (Tom) Hall of Mt Pleasant, SC, Nathaniel (Rachel) Bernhart of John's Island, SC, Alida Bernhart of Arden, NC and 5 great grandchildren..

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 10th at 2 o'clock at Masonicare Chester Village, 317 W. Main St., Chester, CT. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to the Chester Village West Foundation, 317 W. Main St., Chester, CT 06412.