John J. Bernat, lifelong resident of Medford, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Friday September 1st. He was 100. Born in Melrose and raised in Medford, John was the cherished son of the late John and Stefania (Tonderys) Bernat.
John was drafted into the United Sates Navy in the summer of 1943, serving during World War II. He was extremely proud that he was present in Tokyo during the signing of the Tokyo Peace Treaty. After his discharge in 1946, he came home and embarked on a prosperous career as a facility manager for the City of Medford.
John was a handyman and could build and fix just about anything, especially if it was mechanical. He was a “mechanical genius”. He enjoyed spending time on the water both boating and fishing with family and friends, listening to the daily broadcast on channel 740 AM, making sure his lawn was meticulously manicured, and most importantly spending time with his family.
John was the beloved husband of 66 years to the late Jennie E. (Contiguglia) Bernat. He was the devoted father of Stephen Bernat and his wife Diane, David Bernat and his wife Katherine, Linda Zuckerman and her husband Kenneth, and Karen Frost and her husband John, and the late Paul Bernat. He was the loving Bubba of Stephen, Natalie, Ryan, Paul, Alix, Lindsey, Paige, David, Gary, Lauren, John and Michael, and the Great Bubba of Sophia, Victoria, Anna, Zachery, Ellison, Emerson, William and Gevenina, and the late Stella.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to visit with John’s family in the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, on Thursday, September 7th from 10 to 12 Noon, followed by a celebration of life at 12 noon. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.
In lieu of flowers, the John’s family request memorial donations may be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memorials Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.