Benjamin W. Bernard

Benjamin W. Bernard, age 92, a lifelong resident of Dracut, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2026, at Salemhaven Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Salem, NH, surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of the late Patricia F. (McNamara) Bernard, with whom he enjoyed 53 years of marriage before her passing in 2020.
Born in Dracut on November 3, 1933, he was the son of the late Benjamin W. Bernard and Lucie (Gendreau) Bernard.
Benny graduated from Dracut High School and proudly served in the United States Air Force as a hydraulic mechanic. He worked for the Dracut DPW as a heavy equipment operator – a role he loved especially plowing snow in the front-end loader. In retirement, he worked for General GMC shuttling heavy trucks and taking vacation cruises with Patty.
Benny enjoyed ballroom dancing, taking a drive, sharing a few cold ones, and lighting the woodstove in "the Hut" with anyone who stopped by. He liked fixing grills and lawnmowers, cooking, eating, and ice fishing.
Above all, Benny was a devoted father. He spent countless hours cheering in cold rinks, proudly watching his sons play hockey and his daughter figure skate. Holiday dinners with his children and grandchildren were among his greatest joys.
Benjamin is survived by his three sons, William and his wife Laurie of Methuen, MA; Robert and his wife Stephanie of Pelham, NH; and Shawn and his wife Tracy of Townsend, MA; and by his daughter Laura Urban and her husband Jason of Hillsborough, NH. He is survived by his grandchildren: Emily and her husband Ryan, Timothy, Zachary, Patrick, Noah, Kylie, Katie, Tori, and his adopted granddaughter Gillian; his sisters-in-law Dorothy Clark and Diana Bernard; his brother-in-law Edward Gertz; many nieces and nephews; and many dear friends.
He was predeceased by his brother Charles Bernard, his sister Charlene Gertz, his sisters-in-law Mary Regan and Margaret McNamara; and his brothers-in-law, Kenneth Clark, Joseph McNamara, and Gerry Regan.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to his caregivers Angileke and Maritza, for the loving care they provided during his final years.
Visiting hours will be held on Monday, January 19, 2026 from 4 pm to 7 pm at the DRACUT FUNERAL HOME, 2159 Lakeview Avenue, Dracut. His Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday at 10 am at St. Francis Church, 115 Wheeler Road, Dracut. KINDLY MEET AT THE CHURCH. There will be a spring burial at Richardson Cemetery in Dracut.
Memorial donations may be made in Benjamin's memory to Salvation Army.