John C. Bermel

John C. Bermel (aka Jack, Jackson, Grandpa, King of the Trifecta) at the age of 87 passed away on Friday as peacefully as possible when surrounded by his family. Jack was originally from Flint, Michigan but lived with his wife Gerry (Bokuniwiecz) in Willow Grove for 48 years with their 5 children (Jen, Diane, John, Patty, and Michelle).
We have been celebrating his life over this weekend and quickly realized there was not much he couldn't do. In fact, we suspect his heart failed him in the end because he used it to its fullest in life.
While Jack left home at an early age his devotion to family never wavered. His intellectual curiosity, sense of adventure, and love for family were common themes he carried throughout his life.
He willingly had 4 children and then had a 5th. He opened his heart and home to his "other kids" Joe, Don, Sean, and Tara. He was a grandfather of 15 and cherished every interaction, great or small!! He and his wife Gerry loved taking their kids and grandkids camping in their pop-up (go KOA!) and somehow kept them all alive and even made it home with the right ones. They rented a shore house in NJ each year to celebrate birthdays, watch the 1st Eagles game of the season, and take walks on the beach. Their door was always open (literally the side door was broken) and Jack's laid-back demeanor, willingness to kick back with a drink on the back patio, and Saturday morning pancakes meant their house was always full.
Jack was a natural teacher in every aspect of his life. He had words of kindness when you needed them most; words of wisdom when you needed clarity; words of humor when you needed a laugh (and even when you didn't); and no words at all when you needed to talk and let it all out. His patience was limitless even though his family and students did their best to find it!
If this were not enough, he was a builder, a gardener, a lover of music (folk, classical, classic rock, not Neil Diamond), puzzles (sudoku, bathroom squares), and even family feud.
John received his doctorate in chemistry from Villanova (Dr. Bermel). He was a teacher at Cheltenham for over 30 years and never tired of creating new experiments and corny but clever jokes in the classroom. He supported the local and international science fair and ensured his kids entered each year.
He was a son, a brother, a husband, a brother-in-law, a father, a father-in-law, an uncle, a grandfather, a neighbor, a teacher, a friend, a father-figure an incredible man.
We love you and we miss you already!
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