GALLANT,
Bernard A. “Bernie”
August 1, 1942 - September 17, 2016
After fighting cancer for many months, Bernie passed peacefully on September 17, 2016. We will miss him dearly.
Born a Roman Catholic in Fairview, Alberta, he spent his early years in Bluesky. The family moved to Nanaimo when he was 9.
Immediately after high school, Bernie joined the Royal Canadian Navy in September 1959. After serving on the Malahat, Cornwallis, Naden and Skeena, he was “Honorably Released” in September 1962.
While seeking a longterm career, Bernie worked briefly for the Coast Guard. On a dare, he gifted the Fountain at Port Place Mall with a large sturgeon. His Coast Guard buddies helped him pay the fine that was almost as large as the fish.
After moving to Vancouver, he joined the Operating Engineers, local 115. A strong unionist, he worked as a Concrete Pump Operator until he retired. In 1998 after the loss of his wife, Sherran, he returned to Nanaimo to be with family.
In addition to Sherran, Bernie was predeceased by parents, Annie and Ambrose, sister Frances and brother Ed, sister-in-law June, son-in-law Steve and several cousins.
Bernie leaves behind sisters Yvonne and Judy, brother Doug, brother-in-law Fred (Gladys), children Cathy (Greg) and Irv (Connie), grandchildren Troy (Sarah), Trika (Chris), Elyse (Cody), and Eric, great-granddaughter Ember, nieces Michelle (Dan), Susie (Sam) and nephew David, great-neice Mariah and great-nephew Morgan as well as many cousins.
Bernie was kind, gentle and (except for line-ups), very easy going. Whether travelling, at the many family get togethers, walking local trails with his granddaughter & great-granddaughter, playing the monthly poker game with neighbours or hanging out with the guys from the Husky and at Port Place, Bernie always had a smile and a friendly word to share. If he thought you needed a hand or an ear, he was there for you.
We all loved the wonderful person he was.
By his request, there will be no service.