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Bernice Policastro
Bernice Policastro
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Bernice Policastro Obituary
Born on December 3, 1927, in Union City, New Jersey, Bernice was the second of two children born to Elizabeth and Philip Reiner. She shared a close bond with her brother, Philip. Bernice's early years were filled with energy and charm, traits that would define her throughout her life. She attended Holy Family Grammar School and Holy Family High School, where she excelled both academically and socially. A talented athlete and performer, she played basketball and took on the role of Salome in "The Passion Play." Later in life, she continued her education at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
In 1948, Bernice married Anthony Vincent Policastro, the love of her life. Together they built a successful career in the meat industry until Anthony's passing in 1981. Despite this loss, Bernice remained a beacon of joy and resilience for those around her.
Known for her elegance and adventurous spirit, Bernice embraced life with an infectious enthusiasm that touched everyone she met. Her impeccable style and radiant personality left an indelible mark on family and friends alike. Above all else, she cherished her role as a grandmother to eight grandchildren and great-grandmother to fourteen great-grandchildren.
Bernice's legacy lives on through the countless lives she enriched with her warmth and generosity. She is interred at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park in Clearwater, Florida.
Her memory will forever bring comfort to those who knew and loved her.
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Peter Policastro, Senior
January 25, 2025
Peter Policastro
January 25, 2025
I watched my mother grow and blossom into a radiant and loving caregiver to all in and around our famly. She was always there to make sure we received a complete and well-rounded education, guiding us on how to be gentle, kind and caring to others. For many years, she would rise religiously at 6:00 a.m. to shuttle us boys to and from altar server service to instill in us a system of self-discipline and values that would serve us well throughout life. My grandmother Elizabeth would help her and cheer us on because she knew all the nuns!
Loved by all who knew her, my mother always looked on the brighter side of life- no matter what happened. She served as a maternal role model to my three (Peter, Kate, Cassandra) children, and delighted in her grandchildren - marveling at their devastating good looks with a wink and her famous smile.
As she grew older, I promised my mother that she would never be without or left wanting for the rest of her life - and it was a joyous commitment to fulfill all these years as she needed a little more assistance. During the latter part of her life, all the people lucky enough to help us look after her would call her BerNICE because she was always so jolly and easygoing; and she never wanted to cause any trouble for those around her. She taught us all by example in making everone feel appreciated and cared for - like family.
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