Obituaries

Richard H. Bernard

Feb 7th, 2022

Richard H. Bernard
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Richard H. Bernard 86 of Yarmouth Port died Monday February 7, 2022 at Liberty Commons in North Chatham, surrounded by his loving family.

He was the loving husband of Janice A. (Mather) Bernard. They had been married for 55 years.

Born in Taunton, Dick was the son of the late Adrian and Helen (Stanley) Bernard. He moved to Cape Cod after his father died and his mother remarried, Fred Barker. To many he was known as Dickie Barker until his graduation from Yarmouth High School in 1953, when he took his given name Dick Bernard. During these early years is where he made friends that would remain his buddies for life.

Dick grew up with his loving sisters, Claire, Judy, and Debbie, and Gramma Stanley who helped to guide him in his formative years. He learned his love of Polish food, gardening, trimming roses and of course anything burned became “Gramma Stanley Style”. He told many stories of fun times shared with his sisters pranking and joking with each other.

He met his loving wife, Janice while working at the A&P and they married soon after in 1966. After a memorable honeymoon following the Red Sox throughout the mid-west, she knew his love and devotion would be split between her and his beloved Boston Red Sox. They spent many happy years together in the house Dick built in Yarmouth Port hosting holiday parties, summer cookouts or just impromptu get-togethers. Dick also loved their annual trips to Aruba where he would spend hours just walking the beach looking for other Cape Codders on vacation.

Though he loved many things, his greatest love was that of family. He loved his immediate family, his extended family and friends that were just like family. He was kind, gentle and selfless and his wide and open heart would welcome people any time to gather, share, laugh and listen to stories. He is most proud of his two children, Susie and Joey, and their amazing spouses Ray and Pasquale. This was only overshadowed by the birth of his three grandchildren, Anthony, Chloe and Livvy. They gave him his most important title, that of Pop-Pop. His love for them was immeasurable, and his devotion was shown by watching their musical performances, sporting events, decorating gingerbread houses, and teaching them his love of gardening.

Dick was an incredibly hard worker and a true “Jack-of-All-Trades” Cape Codder. He had a strong work ethic which began as a young boy in Middleboro. He established a paper route on his bike with over 100 customers. His life’s work continued when at age 15, he began his career with A & P. Known as “Dickie-Do-Dat”, he continued his varied jobs by working with his dear friends, Bill and Walter at High Brewster, bartending at Eastward Ho Country Club, countless drives to Logan Airport or Florida, including his special Thursday outings bringing the “ladies” to Boston, and the many yard design jobs and construction projects that he completed all over the Cape. If he could take you for a ride in his red Ford F150 he would be sure to point them out and share the many stories of the families he helped.

Among his many interests were his bowling leagues, the Giardino’s softball team, gardening, playing cribbage, watching the Red Sox and Wheel of Fortune, and making his famous Christmas candy. He never missed a chance to take his buddies’ money at their Tuesday night poker game, that ran for over 40 years. The game itself took a backseat to the time spent with dear friends trading old stories and laughing the night away.

In addition to his beautiful and loving wife, Pop-Pop is survived by two daughters, Susan Hicks and her husband, Ray of Westwood, and Joanne Iachetta and her husband, Pasquale of Dennis; three beautiful grandchildren that he relished and adored, Anthony, Chloe and Livvy; two sisters, Judy Brady, and Debbie Arthurs and her husband, Elliotte; his beloved sister in-law, Donna Mather; several loving nieces and nephews; and three children from a previous marriage, Sally, Betsy and Ginny. In addition to his parents, Dick was predeceased by his sister and brother in-law, Claire and Baldy Shea, and a brother in-law, John Brady.

A Memorial Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday February 23 in the Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Ave., South Yarmouth.

Visitation will precede the service beginning at 10 a.m., in the funeral home.

Dick’s family would like to thank the amazing staff at Liberty Commons, the Stage Harbor Nursing Station, the activities staff and Broad Reach Hospice. Pop-Pop was treated with love, dignity and respect, as if he was a member of their family.

For those of you who didn't know him, Dick was a kind and compassionate man, deeply committed to his family. He genuinely loved people and found it easy to start a conversation with just about anyone. Dick was a natural people-person who treated everyone as you would an old friend. Getting someone to smile made his day, which explains why Dick had such an extensive circle of friends and a gift for storytelling. To that end, the family would hope that as an expression of sympathy, you will do an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for someone in honor of our beloved Pop-Pop. 143.

Guest Book

Terri Bunce
#13
Wednesday - Feb 23, 2022 12:00 am

My sincere condolences. Please know that your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Marcia Maroni Kielb
#12
Monday - Feb 14, 2022 12:00 am

Dear family, I was saddened to learn of Dick`s passing. I met Dick thru my beloved uncles,Allen Ward who lived in Brewster with his partner of many years, Bill Baxter. They both thought the world of Dick and loved the delivery of his Christmas candy every year. My sympathies to you all. Marcia

Carol L Evans
#11
Sunday - Feb 13, 2022 12:00 am

Janice and family, So Sorry to hear about Dick. Please accept my sincere condolences Carol Evans

Gino and Fran Lengua
#10
Saturday - Feb 12, 2022 12:00 am

Janice, Susan, Ray, Joanne, Pasquale snd Family; We are so sorry for your loss. I remember Dick from Joanne and Pasquale’s beautiful wedding many years ago. We truly felt the love of family from Dick and his beautiful Janice. Dick live on in your hearts always! Sending prayerful thoughts and hugs. Gino & Fran

Farrenkopf Richard
#9
Saturday - Feb 12, 2022 12:00 am

Sorry to hearjoanne.. my mon at liberty commons.. Is your mom from Hyannis. Again I'm sorry for your loss. Rick

Mather Maryellen
#8
Friday - Feb 11, 2022 12:00 am

Dick's obituary captures him perfectly. Reading through it made me smile at memories of my own. The desserts he brought to the family Christmas party, including the home made garlic pita chips, the times he'd casually drop in to check on my folks on his airport trips,his playing of the spoons that became a traditiion, his ability to turn his hand to anything, his laugh, and the love he radiated.I'm glad we voted him into the family. The obituary was written way too soon, but I'm glad he is now at peace. Jan&family know that our parents were waiting for him & the party has begun. He loves you all.

Maryellen Fabiano-Stowe
#7
Friday - Feb 11, 2022 12:00 am

Our hearts and prayers are with you all! Stay strong ❤️ Love you!

Bobby & Kathy Hallett
#6
Friday - Feb 11, 2022 12:00 am

So sad to hear this dear Janice,Donna & family Amazing past memories & good times,never to be forgotten Our sincere Love always

Jim Butcher
#5
Friday - Feb 11, 2022 12:00 am

I’m so sorry for the loss of this great man. He will be sorely missed by family and friends.

Manny Fernandes
#4
Friday - Feb 11, 2022 12:00 am

My condolences , strengths and prayers to the entire family . I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Pop-pops and in during the brief time And exchange I can tell what a great man , father ,husband , grandfather , friend and family man he was . May your sole Rest In Peace and continue to watch over all of us

Lindsay Quinn
#3
Friday - Feb 11, 2022 12:00 am

I love you Uncle Dicky!! Xo

Alicia Silva
#2
Thursday - Feb 10, 2022 12:00 am

What an amazing man. His legacy will live on in my gardens. Every year I think of him driving with hundreds of pots of perennials from his garden that he divided and shared with me. His kindness, generosity, and wisdom surround me. With deepest sympathy, Alicia

Peggie Crowley
#1
Thursday - Feb 10, 2022 12:00 am

I can’t express how sad I was to hear of Dick’s passing. Will never forget the plaid pants, homemade cheesecake and his playing the spoons at every Mather Christmas party. He was truly one of a kind and will be missed. With my deepest sympathies Peggie Crowley

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