Bernard John "Bernie" Santini

WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Bernard John "Bernie" Santini, 77, of Wakefield, died on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. He was born on Oct. 3, 1948, the son of the late Domenic and Ellen (Lein) Santini, and grew up in Ironwood.
Bernie is survived by his daughters, Lori Ann Santini and Carrie Spratt (Stephen); son, Tony Santini; sister, Linda Polich (Greg); grandchildren; and nieces.

Bernie worked for many years at S & S Beverage Co., a family-owned business. He had an innate curiosity about the world and was an avid reader of history, the natural sciences, and science fiction. He attended Michigan Technological University, Northland College and Michigan State University.

Music was at the heart of Bernie's life. In childhood, his mother bought him a phonograph and his first record, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by the Tokens. Over the years, he built a carefully curated collection of 45s and record albums. One of his great joys was creating mixtapes from that collection, which he kept and cataloged across decades in a meticulous system. He loved sharing music with his children and friends. He played it loud, danced and sang along, and could talk endlessly about the songs and the stories behind them.

In 1975, he organized the Y Tavern Summer Daze Rock Concert in Hurley, Wisconsin, a Sunday event featuring local house bands. It remained one of his favorite stories to tell.

Bernie loved cars, especially the muscle and performance models of the late 1960s and early 1970s. When his children were young, he would load them into his 1969 Chevy Impala (four on the floor) and head to his place on Lake Gogebic. They loved taking boat rides to "The Lazy River," cooking out, playing cards, dancing and listening to music. Bernie could turn a routine day of chores into an experience.

Bernie always knew what brought him joy, and he kept those things close, whether it was music, the outdoors, watching football, or sharing stories and good times. He cherished his time at Lake Gogebic, in Mercer, Wisconsin, and at Camp Holiday in Boulder Junction, Wisconsin.

For those who knew Bernie, it's easy to picture him now, hanging out by a campfire at Lake Gogebic with the people he loved, his dog Jasmine, a beer, and "Little Latin Lupe Lu" by Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels playing in the background. And as night falls, "Question" by The Moody Blues plays on.

There will be no funeral service.

Bernie will be laid to rest at the Marenisco Cemetery.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences or to share a memory, please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.