Andre O. Bernier

Andre O. Bernier, 89, of Somerset, formerly of Fall River, MA. passed away with his family by his side March 24, 2023.

Andre was the son of the late Omer O. Bernier and Germaine H. (Rivard) Bernier.

He was the husband of Pierrette (Boisvert) Bernier with whom he shared 60 years of marriage.

Andre was a proud Veteran of the United States Air Force from 1954 - 1958, starting in Tacoma, Washington and transferring to Anchorage, Alaska where he served as a communication specialist with top secret status.  

Following his discharge from the Air Force, Andre was a salesman for McWhirr’s Department Store in downtown Fall River, a job he dearly loved. After that he worked at Morse Shoe in downtown New Bedford, MA and then Fall River as a salesman and store manager.  He was later employed by the City of Fall River Parks and Public Works Dept. where he worked until retirement.

After retiring,  Andre and his wife organized bus trips to casinos and Bingo halls all over New England. Known for their kindness and hospitality, Andre and Pierrette's trips were very popular and filled up fast. 

Andre attended both the Niagara and Flint Senior Centers weekly until just recently. He loved his friends there and the fun times they shared. 

Andre enjoyed dancing (especially the jitter bug), music (Glen Miller, Connie Francis) and he was a passionate movie fan (especially Marilyn Monroe, 007 and the Halloween series). Andre had a remarkable collection of record albums and movies and an entire room dedicated to Marilyn Monroe where he loved to settle down to watch his favorite movies. In addition, he was always “In the Mood” for Bingo, Gin Rummy, Crazy 8’s and bus trips to Foxwoods and casinos throughout New England. Andre loved his family and friends, his service time in the Air Force, God, Horseneck Beach, Clam Boils, Fall River chow mein, Blueberry Pie, Cream Rolls and Coffee Ice Cream. In his experience, there was nowhere better than Fall River. 

Andre had a personality that won others over. He was known for his handsome smile and warm heart. He was loved by everyone. Andre was also generous and volunteered for the good of others throughout his long life.

Andre was a parishioner of Holy Trinity Parish and prior to that, of St. Anne’s Parish where he and his wife  volunteered to fund raise in support of the the church and school. He worked St. Anne’s Bingo for decades and also helped organize Teen dances there for years when nothing like that existed for local youth to enjoy. In addition, he was a Boy Scout leader with Troop 50, Vice President of the Durfee High School BandAids 1980-82 and a member of the Swansea American Legion for many years.

Besides his wife, he leaves three children and their spouses, Michelle Cormier and her husband Gaby, Susan Bernier Martin and her husband David, Marc A. Bernier and his wife Lisa. 

Grandchildren, Carolane Godbout, Gabriel Godbout, Christopher Martin, Joshua Martin, Benjamin Martin, Alexandre Bernier, Logan Bernier, Joshua Felisberto,

Great grandchildren, Charlotte Coco LeBlanc, Mael Isabel, Arabella Felisberto, Rylan Felisberto, Oliver Bernier.

Three siblings, Monique Caron, Robert Bernier and Paulette Howard;  many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Andre dearly loved Dr. Marc Theroux, his primary care doctor of more than 25 years and whom he considered a friend. The family will be forever grateful to him and his nurse, Lorraine. The family would also like to thank the compassionate staff of SouthCoast Hospice VNA and Enos Medical Equipment Company for their care and thoughtfulness.

Visitation will be held Sunday, March 26th   1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Auclair Funeral Home, 690 South Main St. Fall River

A  funeral procession will leave Monday, March 27th approximately one hour prior to the Funeral Mass to be held at Holy Trinity Church on Stafford Rd. Fall River, at 10:00 AM.

Burial at the Massachusetts National Cemetery is private.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to https://k9sforwarriors.org/ which provides trained service dogs to support veterans suffering from PTSD and other mental health challenges.

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