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Obituary For Bernard Joseph Denief
Bernard Joseph Denief (Bernie), recently of Grande Prairie and long time resident and pioneer of Wabush, Newfoundland and Labrador, passed away on Saturday December 21, 2024, at the age of 81.
Bernie was born and raised in St. John’s, NL on May 21, 1943. He was the middle child of seven. During his life in St.John’s, he attended school at St. Patrick’s and went on to work at McMurdo’s Pharmacy for a short time, then as a taxi driver with “OK Taxi”. In 1961 he met Marie (June) and they married in 1967. They had two children, Georgina (Gina) and Daniel (Dan). They remained together for 57 years until the very moment of his passing.
In 1975 the family moved to Labrador West where Bernie took up the duties of managing the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 57. Through his involvement with the Legion, Bernie became a true community activist and drive behind many fundraisers for the local hospital, and other community groups. His work with the Legion was unfaltering, where at the time of his passing he was an executive member of Grande Prairie Branch 54.
While living in Labrador West, Bernie was a staple of the community and could be looked at to assist in any and all worthwhile causes. There weren’t many folks in the community that didn’t know him. To quote an article written about him a number of years ago, “Bernie seems to have more energy than many people half his age. He has a constant smile on his face. He is usually on his way to or on his way back from, lending someone a helping hand”.
After 20 years with the Legion, Bernie went on to work at the Tamarack Golf Club as the Superintendent for six more years, while also holding the position of President at the Newfoundland and Labrador Golf Association. Upon completion of those positions, Bernie “Retired”. Although most people’s definitions of retirement was a lot different from his.
His biggest accomplishment though, would have to be the creation of, and continuing involvement in the Legion Telethon that was held annually in Labrador West for over thirty five years. The efforts of this venture raised in excess of 2.5 million dollars for the local Hospital, and the Janeway Children’s Hospital in St. Johns’s.
Bernie was a kind, gentle, hardworking family man. He was proud to be a husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa (gramps/grampy)
He will be sadly missed by his wife, June (nee King); children: Gina (Carl Pike) and Dan (Christina nee Whalen): brothers: Lesley, Harold and George: grandchildren: Emily, Meghan, Natasha, Ryan and Stephanie: great-grandchildren: Nova, Cruz, Krome and Audrey.
He was predeceased by his parents, Michael and Violet, his mother-in-law Myrtle (Ma), his sister Margaret, and brothers Edward and Francis.
A Memorial Service will be held Monday December 30, 2024 at 12:00 pm at Grande Prairie Legion Branch 54 9912 101 Ave, Grande Prairie, Alberta
Livestream www.facebook.com/rcl54/
In lieu of flowers, memorial donation can be made to local branch of the Royal Canandian Legion: legion.ca or to the Heart and Stroke foundation of Canada at heartandstroke.ca
“Say not in grief ‘he is no more’ but in thankfulness that he was” Hebrew Proverb
Condolences may be sent by visiting www.oliversfuneralhome.com.
2025
Death notice for the town of: Grande-Prairie, Province: Alberta
death notice Bernard Joseph Denief 2025
obituaries notice Bernard Joseph Denief 2025
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Bernard Joseph Denief 2025 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
