Neilson Joseph Bernard Sr.

1933 - 2022

Neilson Joseph Bernard, Sr was born to Wilson and Floredia Bordelon Bernard, a farmer and a homemaker in Marksville, Louisiana on August 1, 1933. He was immersed in this Christian community that would be his lifelong support from an early age. He attended Marksville High School and joined the National Guard before relocating to New Orleans and eventually moved to River Ridge in Jefferson Parish. He owned and operated Bernard Siding, Inc. from the late fifties until his retirement in 2005. He was well known in social circles, working alongside his wife Barbara with the Missionaries of St. Theresa circle 65 in River Ridge and a member of the Krewe of Argus Carnival Club. Neilson was blessed with a large and loving family. He was married to his sweetheart Barbara Ann Johnson in Metairie, Louisiana. He had a great life, full of fun and laughter surrounded by his large family of brothers and sisters, his children, his grandchildren, his great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and many good friends. He loved Barbara, his family, the Saints, LSU and the Pelicans....he loved beer and crawfish and he loved Jesus. Neilson was preceded in death by his parents, Wilson and Floreida Bordelon Bernard; two sons, Neilson Joseph, Jr. and Clint (Lynne) Bernard; five sisters, Flordia Bernard, Ivy Lee (Paul) Royal, Dolores Bernard, Eloise (Chris) Thomas and Charlene (Sonny) Barrient; two brothers, Dalton (Pat) and Stafford Bernard; two granddaughters, Kacey Bernard and Shannon Frederic, and a grandson, Gary Newpert. Neilson was an honorable, kind and generous man and always had time for his family, his friends and anyone who needed help. Throughout his career he supported numerous organizations for the homeless and less fortunate. He just loved helping people. He is survived by the love of his life, Barbara; five daughters, Pamela (Mike) Funck, Sharon (Barry) Krohn, Nina (Kenny) Ormsbee, Neille Anne (Todd) Kelly, Kimberly Kerrigan and two sons, Shane (Amy) and Sean (Emily) Bernard; daughter in law Shenny Bernard; brother, Larry (Mona) Bernard; sister in law, Laura Bernard; his twenty six grandchildren, Lori and Jay Pittman, Ryan (Ashley), Jade and Evan Funck, Janie (Eric) Leingang and Neilson Bernard 111, Clint, Jr. and Kyle Bernard, Renee' (Travis ) Roberts, Stevie (Nicholas) Bloomer, Tracy (Gary) Newpert and Bryon Krone, Krystin and Robert Ormsbee, Mitchell Kerrigan and Hope McClung, Brooke Ann and Britney Kelly, Maddy Bernard, Dylan, Isabella, Olivia, Sawyer and Avery Bernard. Also, by great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A wake will be Friday, March 4th from 6pm until 9pm at Tharp Funeral Home, 1600 Causeway Blvd. in Metairie, Louisiana and on Saturday, March 5th a visitation from 11am to 1pm, followed by Mass. A Christian burial will be at Garden of Memories Chapel of Peace at 4500 Airline Drive in Metairie. Family and friends are welcome.