Bernard Bertolina

Bernard Bertolina

Bernard ("Bud," "Buddy") Bertolina, the youngest of three boys, was born in the coal mining town of Hahntown, PA, to Frank and Mary (Brocco) Bertolina on October 19, 1934, and died peacefully on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

Bud married Doris Ralph on October 22, 1955, and they had two children, Mark and Teresa. They all predeceased him.

Bud came to Toledo in the 1950's to work as a hairdresser in his Uncle Jim's salon, Burton's, until the early 1970's, when he took a job in maintenance at St. Charles Hospital. He retired from St. Charles.

Bud was an auxiliary sheriff's deputy in Lucas County and Genoa for many years, and would ride his horse, Demon, at festivals (apple butter, Lucas County Fair) and parades controlling crowds.

Bud was a true outdoorsman. He loved hunting, fishing, gardening, NASCAR and animals. He could train any animal to do anything. His horse, Demon, would bow and pray. Sandy, his dog, would get a beer from the fridge and bring it to him. He bred and raised a National number one ranked German Shorthair Pointer named Rip.

Bud was also a great cook. His Italian mother and aunts were great teachers. He made the best Italian bread. You never knew what you were eating at Buds house - it could be smelt, perch, quail, pheasant, duck or deer. A memorable meal was pheasant under glass. He just told all of us that it was chicken. Didn't matter what it really was. It was just chicken!

Bud owned the Double B stables where he boarded, raised and trained horses. Every year he had the most wonderful hobo dinner on the stable property and everyone looked forward to it.

Bud is survived by granddaughters, Alicia (Michael) Pemberton, Angela (Lance) Fisher, Andrea (Andy) Klunk, Alivia (Michael) Ford; and 11 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.

Friends will be received at The Robert Shank, Sr. Chapel at Sunrise Cremations and Funerals, Walbridge, 701 N. Main St., 419-666-3121, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, from 4-7 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 22nd, at 11 a.m., at St. Jerome Catholic Church, Walbridge. Burial, Lake Twp. Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or EWTN.

www.sunrisecremationsandfunerals.com