Bernhart Jensen

JENSEN Bernhart A. "Bernie", of Ridgewood, formerly of Fort Lee, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, November 21, 2007. Bernie is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years Clarice (nee Holland) Jensen, his son Bernie and his wife Joan, daughter Laurie Alessi and her husband Carlo, son John and his wife Joanie, and daughter Nancy Kennedy and her husband Tom, all of Ridgewood. He is the cherished grandfather to Jaclyn and Eric Jensen, Alexander and Taylor Alessi, Thomas, Brett, Jack, Laurel and Kailey Kennedy, Christopher and Jonathan Jensen. He is also survived by his brother Henry Jr. of North Carolina and sister Elise Little from Mississippi. Born July 21, 1932 in Staten Island, N.Y. to the late Henry and Valborg Jensen of Copenhagen, Denmark. Bernie spent his youth fishing, swimming and boating before joining the US Army and serving his country during the Korean War. Bernie moved to Fort Lee, NJ in 1955 to raise his family and was a resident for 42 years. A machinist by trade, Bernie eventually followed his entrepreneurial spirit and opened up a family business "Bernie's Deli" for the last 18 years of his working career. Bernie and Clarice eventually moved to Ridgewood in 1997 to be with his children and grandchildren. In his later years, he started to travel and was able to visit his paternal homeland of Denmark. He was a man of great character, honest and true, and will be missed by all those whose lives he touched. Visiting Friday 2-4, 7-9 PM at The Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff. Funeral service Saturday, 10 AM at Faith Reformed Church, 95 Prospect St, Midland Park. Interment George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105, or The American Cancer Society, 20 Mercer Street, Hackensack, NJ, 07601. www.vpfh.com