Raymond J. Bernard

Raymond J. Bernard 1919 � 2009 HOLYOKE � Raymond J. Bernard, 90, died Thursday, July 30, 2009 at Holyoke Medical Center. He was born in Holyoke on March 23, 1919 to the late Alfred A. and Mary (Ziessel) Bernard. Mr. Bernard attended schools in Holyoke. He served our country in the United States Army during WWII, where he attained the rank of Sergeant. While in the military, Ray earned the American Theater Campaign Ribbon, the WWII Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Mr. Bernard worked for the former New England Telephone for forty five years. He was a devoted Catholic and was a longtime parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke. Ray truly enjoyed gardening and was known by many as a handyman, capable of fixing almost anything. His love of dancing will be missed by many. Ray leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of fifty-two years, Yvette M. (Lesperance) Bernard of Chicopee; his son, Damian Bernard and his wife Helen of Naperville, IL; his four daughters, Denise Foster and her husband Richard of Pleaston, CA, Theresa Bernard of Modesto, CA, Cecile and Barbara Bernard both of Holyoke; his two sisters, Mary Jane Rogers of South Hadley and Rita Strniste of Westfield; his eight grandchildren, Amanda (Foster) Milo, Richard and Murray Foster, Nicholas, Jeremy and Vanessa Milinazzo and Michael and Brian Bernard. Ray was predeceased by his brother Paul Bernard. A funeral procession will form on Monday, August 3 at 8:45 a.m. at the Messier Funeral Home, 1944 Northampton St, Holyoke. There will be a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke. Burial will follow the Liturgy in St. Jerome Cemetery in Holyoke. Calling hours will be Sunday, August 2 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made, in Ray�s memory, to a charity of one�s choice.