DANIEL JOHN BERNAERDT

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DANIEL JOHN BERNAERDT

Peacefully and at home with his wife, Dan Bernaerdt died on February 24, 2026.

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of nearly 40 years, Leanne, as well as his children, Darren (Leanne) from his first marriage, Gerrit (Jennifer), and David (Tricia). His grandchildren Amie, Cole, Lilith, Violet, Rae, Lorelei, and Rowan were his greatest joy, and he told stories of them often.

Dan was born in 1942 at St. Boniface Hospital and attended St. Paul's High School. He joined the Canadian Navy at 16 and travelled the world, filling his life with stories that he loved to tell. He was the Canadian Armed Forces' best bowler for a time and competed in tournaments throughout the world.

After the Navy, Dan devoted his career to public service. After Dan returned to Winnipeg, he joined the Canadian Red Cross as the Director of Donor Relations, later becoming the Executive Director of Big Brothers of Winnipeg, and later still the Executive Director of the Arthritis Society of Manitoba. It was at the Red Cross that he met Leanne, and they were married in 1987.

Together they loved to golf, watch Blue Jays baseball, and travel. Dan took up marathon running at 60 years old and they voyaged to Belgium and - who could forget - Paris, as a part of his running.

Dan will be remembered by his quiet strength; his love of fishing on the Winnipeg River, as a baseball coach to the many youth he mentored, an advocate for the charities he led, and his love for his family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Arthritis Society of Manitoba or a charity of your choice. Dan worked for a wide variety of charities and knew the value of those donations to nonprofits large and small.

A funeral service will be held on March 13, 2026, at 2:00p.m at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg at 603 Wellington Crescent.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 28, 2026