EMIL BERNIER

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EMIL BERNIER It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather and husband, Emil Bernier, whose death occurred on January 12, 2005, after a lengthy and brave battle with cancer. Dad was born on April 14, 1927 in Winnipeg, MB and then moved to Hudson, ON where he proudly resided until his death. He, along with his father Joseph, and brother Leo, operated the family retail store until his long deserved retirement in 1988. In his youth, Dad was an active curler and baseball player. He built his dream cabin on the shores of Big Vermillion where he enjoyed many days fishing and boating. Dad also enjoyed travelling and visiting exotic places such as New Zealand, Australia and Germany. He took much pride in his favourite hobby, coin collecting. Left to mourn are Ellyn, his devoted wife; Jean, his first wife and mother of his three sons, Keith (Marielle), Mark (Karen) and David (Natasha); seven grandchildren, Austin, Alec, Tristan, Charlie, Katelyn, Kristin, and Max. He is also survived by his only brother Leo (Marge and family), his maternal aunt Eva, and numerous other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph (1978) and Leah (1968) Bernier. Friends called at the Sioux Lookout Funeral Home on January 14 and funeral services were held at the Sacred Heart Church on January 15 with Fr. Mike Mahoney officiating. Dad's brother-in-law, Gerry, wrote and delivered a moving eulogy with contributions from his son Mark and grandson Austin. Interment followed at the Evergreen Cemetery, Hudson, ON. If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Northern Cancer Research Foundation through the Sioux Lookout Funeral Home, Box 1449, Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B9. He Only Takes the Best God looked around His garden, And found an empty space. He then looked down upon the earth, And saw your tired face. He put His arms around you, And lifted you to rest. God's garden must be beautiful, He only takes the best. He knew that you were suffering, He knew that you were in pain, He knew that you might never, Get well upon this earth again. He knew the road was getting rough, And the hills were too hard to climb. So He closed your weary eyelids, And whispered, Peace be thine . It broke our hearts to lose you, But you did not go alone, For part of us went with you, The day God called you home.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 05, 2005