Bernard J. "Bernie" Guarini

Bernard J. "Bernie" Guarini, 87, a longtime Shrewsbury resident passed away in his home on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

Bernie was born and raised in Worcester, son of the late Joseph and Frances (Silvestris) Guarini. He graduated from North High School in 1956 and the College of the Holy Cross in 1960. He continued with his graduate studies at Clark University, Assumption College, and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

After three years of public-school teaching, he joined the psychology department at Worcester State College (now University) in 1965 and retired after a record fifty-five years of full-time faculty service in 2020. Bernie served as Department Chair of the Social and Behavioral Science department, received five Distinguished Service Awards for outstanding service to the college and wrote and published the Worcester State fight song called Proud Lancers.

Bernie also practiced as a clinical psychologist in the Worcester area mainly at Boston Road Clinic. Additionally, he performed for many decades as a musician mostly with the Johnny Kapp trio for all types of musical occasions.

His favorite hobbies were music and golf. He was proud of his hole-in-one in July of 2007 at Dennis Highlands golf course on Cape Cod.

He leaves his wife of 60 years, Charlotte A. (Hovey) Guarini; their children, Joseph Guarini and Thomas Guarini both of Shrewsbury; two grandsons, Anthony, and Nicholas Guarini; a brother, Maurice Guarini and his wife Valerie and their children Lisa and Tony. He also leaves a niece Judith Perron. His sister, Mary Perron predeceased him in 2010.

Bernie's main devotion was always to his family and his faith in the Lord. Watching his grandchildren play baseball brought him great joy as well as the many vacations with the family on Cape Cod with its beautiful beaches.

One of his favorite sayings was "In Hoc Signo Vinces".

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Bernard's family between 9:30-10:30 AM on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at the BRITTON-SHREWSBURY FUNERAL HOME, 648 Main Street, Shrewsbury, followed by a funeral Mass at 11:00 AM at St. Mary of the Hills Church, 630 Cross Street, Boylston. Burial will take place in Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury, MA.