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Brian Bernier Obituary
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. March 16, at the Garden Chapel, 845 Main St. in Morro Bay.
Brian was born Nov. 4, 1942, to Norman and Claire Bernier in Los Angeles, and was raised in Southern California and Wisconsin.
Brian's greatest pleasure in life was spending time with his children, Bonnie Bernier, a student at Atascadero Junior High, and Brian Robert Bernier Jr., a student at San Diego State University. Brian Jr. returned to Templeton to provide care for his father during his illness, and Bonnie also assisted with the care of her father.
Other survivors include daughter Carrie Barnhart and six grandchildren, of Orofino, Idaho; sister Bonnie O'Day and family of San Diego; brothers, Dennis Bernier and family of Rolling Meadows, Ill., Patrick Bernier and family of Los Angeles, Mike Bernier and family of San Diego; numerous nieces and nephews; step-sons, Mike and John Whitlock of Atascadero; and longtime companion Wendy Nugent of Templeton.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Partners of the Central Coast or the American Cancer Society.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Bonnie Bernier
November 4, 2024
Thinking of you today sad! I miss you, and I can't wait to see you again one day!!! I'll meet cha on the other side of the moon!!!! XoxoxoxQ
Bonnie
February 23, 2023
Its been 20 years dad.... It seems like just yesterday.... Just wanted to check in and let you know we're all ok down here.... Thank you for loving me and believing in me, and being the best dad in the world. I can't wait to see you again one day soon. We have so much catching up to do.... I'll meet cha on the other side of the moon! Until then... Ill be missing you!
Love, bonbon
XoxoxoxoxoxQ
Bonnie Bernier
June 19, 2022
Happy Father's Day Dad... No matter how many years go by, I still miss you so much! Thinking of you today and remembering all the good times we shared... I'm so glad that God made you my dad, and my best friend... I wish so much I could have just one more conversation with you... There so many things I would ask you... I'll just have to wait until I get to heaven... On the other side of the moon and beyond!!! I love you daddy!! Forever and ever and even then maybe more!!!
Love,
BonBon
Bonnie Bernier
July 22, 2021
Hey Dad,
It's been a while since my last entry... I miss you sooo much!! Almost 20 years later, and it seems like just yesterday! Not a day goes by when I don't wish I could call and talk to you just one more time on the phone... Everytime something exciting happens, your the first person I wish I could call...
Why is it still so hard!! I hope you can see everything from where you're at, and I hope you're proud of me... I hope you know how much I love you and how much you're missed by so many people. You're the best dad any girl could ever ask for!!!!! See you on the other side of of the moon...
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Sandy Bernier
November 4, 2020
Happy Heavenly 78th Birthday! You would be so proud of Brian Jr and Bonnie.
Bonnie Bernier
September 24, 2020
You were more than my father. You were my very best friend!!!!
Bonnie Bernier
September 24, 2020
Hey Dad,
I sure do wish you were here. Life gets really hard sometimes and all I want to do is be able to talk to you. Somehow you made everything better. Maybe it was because I was just a little girl and I looked up to you so much, or maybe it was because you were the greatest man I've ever known. Either way, I wish I could talk to you. You always had the answers. You always knew what to do when life got tough. I sure do miss you dad!!! Thank you for loving me and believing in me. I looked up to you in so many ways. I sure am missing you today!!!!!!! You're in my mind everywhere I go. I still cling to your words of advice. I am who I am today because of you. I'll see you on the other side of the moon daddy! Until we meet again. I love you.
Sandy Bernier
March 5, 2019
Missing you so much!
Bonnie Bernier
June 17, 2018
Bonnie Bernier
June 17, 2018
Bonnie Bernier
June 17, 2018
Happy Fathers Day dad!!!! I love and miss you so much!!!!
mike hammond
June 4, 2018
I met Brian in the late 1980's. I helped him get some construction contracts thru my company. I knew John, little Brian, and met Sandy one time. I 'd like to send my condolences.
Bonnie Bernier
June 17, 2017
Happy fathers day daddy!!!
Another year has passed and so much has changed. All for the better. One thing hasnt changed though, and never will, and that's the fact that i had the best dad in the world. In you i had a father, a best friend, a mentor, and everything a daughter could ever dream of having in a father. Thank you for believing in me dad. I will forever remember how special you made me feel, and how it felt to feel so loved by you. I miss you, and wish you could be here to see who ive become, and watch my little boy grow up. You definitely live on in me, mom tells me that all the time. Youre remembered and loved and missed today, and everyday. I love you dad. Ill see you on the other side of the moon...
Brian Jr., Bonnie, Jessamine, Johnny and me.
June 22, 2016
Always and Forever, I will love you.
Sandy Bernier
June 20, 2016
Bonnie Bernier
June 19, 2016
Happy Fathers Day Daddy!!!! I'll be thinking about you today... I'm so blessed to have had you for a father and a friend... The words of wisdom, and the love and encouragement, that you showed me in the 13 short years we had together has made a profound impact on the person I am today... Joey is 4 years old going on 40, and everything I know about parenting, which isn't much, came from memories of you, and how you parented me. Thank you dad!! You're so very missed... I'll meet cha on the other side of the moon... I love you so very much!!!!
Bonnie Bernier
July 9, 2015
It's been a couple years since my last entry dad... But not a day goes by that I dont think about you! there's so much I have to tell you, when I get to heaven one day... Just know that I love you with all my heart, and I keep your spirit alive, as i remember the little things you taught me, and the love you showed me... Thank you for believing in me dad!! Please tell everyone up there that i love and miss them too... like we used to always say: night night sleep tight don't let the bedbugs bite! I win... xoxoxoQ
SOLANGE BALLEW
July 19, 2013
I AM JUST A FRIEND OF BRIAN'S SON JOHNNY, AND DAUGHTER BONNIE. I MET BRIAN A FEW TIMES, BUT I REMEMBER HIM BEST WHEN HE HAD BOUGHT A PINK AND WHITE BARBIE CAR FOR LITTLE BONNIE'S BIRTHDAY, AND HE WAS ASKING ME IF I THOUGHT SHE'D LIKE IT? HE DIDN'T KNOW IF HE SHOULD WRAP IT OR NOT EITHER. WELL, I COULD JUST TELL HE LOVED THAT LITTLE GIRL TO PIECES. SO I ADVISED HIM TO NOT WRAP IT, BUT TO JUST PUT A BIG OL' BOW ON IT, AND SET IT OUT WHERE IT WAS THE FIRST THING SHE SAW ON HER BIG DAY.
PRAYERS FOR YOU SANDY AND BONNIE. YOU CONTINUE TO BE IN MY THOUGHTS. MAY GOD KEEP YOU IN HIS GREAT FAVOR. WITH ALL MY LOVE, SOLANGE
Sandy Bernier
January 1, 2013
Lighting a candle for you this New Year's Day 2013 because I'll love you forever and always!
Bonnie Bernier
February 23, 2012
My how the years fly by... Not one goes by that i don"t think of you, and miss you... Joey's almost six months old, and he's quite the ham:-) you'd be proud... I watch the home videos of you and me together all the time. I just like hearing the sound of your voice. I talked to patricia, and Carrie, even Jim Canavan, can you believe that... rumor has it you were a helluva guy! im gonna write a book if it kills me. your life was short, but you touched so many hearts and lives in your time here. Your natural life:-) as you would have called it. Thank you for being the best dad in the whole wide world! Miss ya pops! "To the moon."
Baby Joseph and me
Brian Bernier
November 20, 2011
Hiya Daddy,
Its been 4 years since my last entry, and life keeps changing with every passing day. Wish so bad you were here to hold my little boy daddy! I fantasize about it. what you would think of him, more importantly, what you would think of me:-) and most of all what advice you would have for me! I love him so much, and i know you would too... He's beautiful, looks just like his mommy:-) Has a temper like her too... Please tell everyone up there hello for me, and make sure grandma knows this kid loves to eat:-) Breaks my heart to think i can't share this amaizing experience with you dad! I miss you more than ever in these times right now... I think you would be proud of me daddy
Bonnie Bernier
June 17, 2007
HAPPY FATHER'S DADDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm sitting here listening to Freddie Hart, and thinking of you on this very special day... I miss you so much dad, and there isn't a single day that goes by that I don't think of you, and talk about you as if you were still here. I graduated from High School last Thursday, and I know that you, grandma, and brother mike were all up there watching as I received my diploma, and made this huge step in my life. I miss you sucker! This is a special day, that should never go uncelebrated, so mom and I are going down to spend it with Bubba, Heather and her parents... I know you'll be there in spirit daddy! I love you and miss you soooo much! Thank you dad for being the best dad in the whole wide world... You were far more than just my father, and you left an undying legacy for all of us left behind! I'll see you on the other side of the moon...
I love you,
Bon Bon
xoxoxoxQ
sandra bernier
November 4, 2006
HAPPY 64th BIRTHDAY........ I'll save the rest for another day. You are so loved and missed.
Sandy
Bonnie Bernier
June 18, 2006
Daddy,
Today's Father's Day, and if anybody deserves to have their life celebrated it's you! I miss you so much Daddy! I used to sometimes ask myself how I was ever going to make it in life without you. I'm doing fine though daddy, I want you to know that. If you're lookin down on me, I know you're proud of your little princess! Everytime I look in the mirror It reminds me of you, and I see a part of my dadddy staring back at me in that mirror:-)
The other day, mom told me that I had so much energy and sometimes the things I do reminds her so much of you. What a compliment:-)
Happy Father's Day daddy! What a great thing to celebrate today! The life of a dad who was more than just my daddy but my inspiration, my councelor, my hero, and my best friend! Thank you daddy for being the dad that all the other girls wish they could have!!!!!
I'll see you on the other side of the moon!
Bon Bon
XOXOQ
Sandy Bernier - Ramos
November 4, 2004
Just in case you can see us from "up there" ....want you to know we're thinking of you on your "62nd" Birthday! You were much too young to leave, and you're missed so very much. It's difficult for those of us left behind; I'm hoping and praying you've found ETERNAL PEACE.
Bonnie Bernier
October 28, 2003
THE DAY THAT CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER
"No matter how hard something may seem, never give up Bon-Bon," I can hear my dad telling me. He never gave up while battling cancer. My dad always set good examples for me, and never giving up until the day he died was one of them.
My father was diagnosed with cancer on November 15, 2002. He told me while lying in a hospital bed, "I have lung cancer." Those heart wrenching words echo in my head to this very day.
Within a few weeks of finding out about his cancer, he began taking chemotherapy. It made him very weak and very emotional. However, he still continued it. He also took radiation in hopes it would shrink the cancer. Despite the fact the chemo made him feeble and weak, he still swore he'd beat the cancer.
Around late December or early January the cancer had spread to his throat, leaving him unable to speak his last words. The cancer soon destroyed his esophagus, which took away his ability to swallow food or liquids. My dad then had to have a feeding tube inserted into his belly. This was immensely difficult for our whole family. My dad only got sicker, leaving my twenty-one year old brother and me to care for him. Watching my father in this horrible condition was far more than I could bear.
It was February 23, 2003 that I had my first softball practice. I was really excited. My brother was running errands at the time, so my mom who is remarried, was caring for my dad. About forty-five minutes into my practice, my aunt Debi walks up to me and states these exact words: "he's gone!" I ran towards her, giving her an embracing hug and sobbed. I said over and over again,"no, no, no, he just can't be gone! No, no, no."
Almost a year later I am still trying to recover through counseling and medication. I've been told the pain I feel will someday subside. The pain may someday leave me, but his words and memory will stay forever!
In Loving Memory of, Brian Robert Bernier, Sr. November 4 1942 - February 23, 2003
Bonnie Kathleen Bernier - Age 13
Marianne Bernier
March 26, 2003
Uncle Brian was a very special guy!
Over the last year I really got a
chance to get to know him better. We usually talked on the telephone and he was always making me laugh. I'll never forget the last time I spoke with Uncle Brian, I called him exactally at midnight on new years day. He was very happy to hear from me & it made me feel really good to bring the new year in with him. I will miss him very much! Uncle Brian's sprit will always live on though his friends and family....especially little Brian. He will always be in my heart.
Pamela Bernier
March 25, 2003
I am Brian's brother Pat's ex-wife, and mother of Marianne and Patrick. We attended Brian's memorial service and enjoyed it very much. It was wonderful to see his children again, and Sandy and her entire family. Brian made a tremendous impact on many lives. As a family we will miss him much.
Kevin and Brenda Morphet
March 19, 2003
My husband Kevin and I were long time friends of Brians. He video taped our wedding and helped us set up our nursery room before our daughter was born. We send our condolences to the family and friends and Brian will be in our prayers. Brian was a very good man and thoughtful friend. He will be very missed. Kevin and Brenda Morphet..
Patrick Bernier
March 17, 2003
Brian was my uncle. Didn't know him very well but when he was around he was an awesome guy. I love him and I will miss him.
Mike Whitlock
March 16, 2003
I am Brian's stepson. I was raised by Brian from the time I was 13-17 1/2 years old. Brian's influence on me was profound. He taught me some life lessons that will stick with me for the rest of my life. He taught me mental toughness to meet the challenges of the real world as well as physical toughness also. I give Brian alot of credit for my success in sales. He taught me how to get what I want out of life by talking a good game. Life is all about selling people on yourself and building trust. Thank you Brian for the confidence I have in myself. You played an insrumental role in developing it. Tell God thank you for creating you. You're definitely a one of a kind individual. Never forget, "if it doesn't go easy-something's wrong". See you on the other side of the rainbow pal. I love you, COOLBREEZE
Jeannie Coleman
March 13, 2003
I'm Brian's sister-in-law Jeannie. From February 14th to February 23rd Brian stayed in an adjoining room to my home. It was a very emotional time and I was touched deeply. I was able to spend time alone with Brian on February 23rd which has given me great inner peace. All his suffering has ended as he now smiles down from above. God Bless Brian jr., Bonnie, Wendy and Hospice for caring for him.
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