Bernie

Bernie lives in St Albert. Born April 12th, 1943, Bernie insists he is 79 and a half years old. Born in Toronto. Bernie attended university in Ontario, then an engineering student; he began training to be a Catholic priest, leaving the seminary in 1967 he entered Education. He loved teaching, recently retired from his last teaching job in Vegreville, Alberta.
Bernie met his first wife, Mary, in London, Ontario. They married in 1968. They had five children: Rita, Peter, Andrew, Michael, and Colleen. After Colleen was born, Mary was diagnosed with cancer which metastasized to her liver. Determined to fight, with five children: the youngest three and the oldest seventeen, Mary spent as much time as possible with her children. At that time, they lived in Rocky Mountain House, where Bernie was an elementary school counsellor. The community supported the family as Mary fought cancer. Looking back, Bernie enjoys his memories of times spent with Mary, who passed June 21st, 1987.
Times were tough for a widowed father, married almost twenty years, who had five children. Later, Mary’s sister Beatrice commented to Bernie about how well his children fared. Blessed by her comment, Bernie considered it an acknowledgement of his parenting in difficult circumstances. Prior to her death, Mary suggested to Bernie he find another partner when she passed. Bernie met Elaine in 1988. They married working hard to blend two families: his five children joined Elaine’s two. Married 33 years, they travelled and lived well together. In 2011, Elaine was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. She later developed Alzheimer’s. July 2020, Elaine was approved for an emergency placement in a care facility. He volunteers and visits Elaine four times weekly. Elaine’s speech limited to yes or no Bernie communicates with her through music, He questions if he’s communicating effectively with Elaine.
Catholic faith grounds Bernie. He’s concerned he doesn’t often witness expressions of faith demonstrated today. Bernie returned to participating in life-changing projects with Habitat for Humanity in Mexico. He wants to give back.