Parcourez la nécrologie de Bernard Michael Duffenais March 22 1940

December 20 2024 résidant dans la province T-N pour le détail des funérailles

Bernard Michael Duffenais Obituary
It is with heavy hearts that the family of the late Bernard «Bernie» Michael Duffenais announce his passing on Friday, December 20th, 2024 at the Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital at the age of 84 years.
He leaves to mourn: his compassionate and supportive partner of nine years, Gayle March; sons: Andre (Joanne), Terry (Rhonda), Shawn (Rosemary), and Craig (Karen); daughters: Lynette (Kenny), Corrine (Chris), and Lori (Troy); siblings: Barbara (Basil), Marie (Ivory), Marg (Dave), Jean (Tony), Phoncie (Elizabeth), Hilda (Larry), Shirley (Ron), Marian (Gerard), and Debbie (David); 12 grandchildren: and 5 great grandchildren; as well as a very large circle of nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews, extended family, and friends.
Bernie was predeceased by: parents Anne O’Quinn and Gerald Duffenais; and siblings: Roy, Greg, and Elaine.
Bernie was born in Winterhouses, the fourth child with three older sisters, becoming the king of queens until his two other brothers were born to even out the playing field. Growing up he never shied away from hard work or a good fight. A self taught young man who was a jack of all trades; there wasn’t a job or project he would not tackle and complete. He was a master tradesman who finished his 30+ year career as an iron worker.
Bernie was never one to sit idle, so he enjoyed many extracurricular activities that supported his creativity and physical strength, including: drawing, painting, wood carving, building, playing hockey, baseball, and curling, playing musical instruments (guitar, accordion, piano, spoons, and mouth organ), song composing (he wrote his last song just weeks ago titled «Things I Didn’t See»), playing music in a band, or playing and singing for family and friends at house and kitchen parties and festivals. He could entertain for hours sharing stories with a strong sense of humour and quick wit. Family get togethers were never the same if Bernie could not be there as he was always the life of the party. He kept the mummering tradition alive in his community for years. He raised horses, loved a good game of horseshoes, that he never wanted to lose, enjoyed fishing and hunting, and cutting logs. Bernie also loved to lend a helping hand and support his community of Black Duck Brook and Winterhouses including restoring the only one room school on the West Coast of NL, with the assistance of his fellow community supporters. He enjoyed dancing with Gayle and performing with fellow square dancers.
Bernie was resilient, strong willed, and a loving and supportive partner, father, grandfather, and brother. His nine sisters called him «one of the girls». He loved sharing stories of growing up, his work adventurers, and instilling the importance of hard work and determination in his children and grandchildren. He believed in a simple life and spending quality time with loved ones. He was not a teacher by trade, but he enjoyed patiently passing along his skills and life lessons.
The family would like to send a heartfelt thank you to his chemotherapy and community support nurses for their phenomenal care and support. Bernie fought hard to stay with us, but it was not meant to be this time. The only fight he ever lost. He will be deeply missed and forever loved.
Following his wishes cremation has taken place, and interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made to the CNIB- 70 The Boulevard, St. John’s, NL, A1A 1K2.
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March 22 1940

December 20 2024

russells funeral home

Décès pour la Ville Stephenville, Province T-N

avis deces Bernard Michael Duffenais March 22 1940

December 20 2024

nécrologie Bernard Michael Duffenais March 22 1940

December 20 2024

Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de Bernard Michael Duffenais March 22 1940

December 20 2024 et espérons que leur mémoire pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.