On August 3, 2007, the Lord called Lee M. Bernardini to his home. He was born March 2, 1952 in Brooklyn, the son of the late Arnold (Barney) and Adele Clausen Bernardini. Lee was a graduate of Brooklyn High School, Brooklyn College and received his Masters from SUNY at Stony Brook. Mr. Bernardini was the Manager of Pathology at St. Vincent's Hospital in Staten Island and later served as Director of Laboratory Services at Community Memorial Hospital in Toms River, NJ. In 1989, Lee and his family relocated to Clinton, and at one time he served as the Administrative Director of Laboratory Services at St. Luke's Memorial Hospital Center in New Hartford. Since 1991, Lee has resided in Waterville. Lee was a member and past board member of the Brothertown Optimus Club, and volunteered at the Harding Nursing Home and the Waterville Food Pantry. He was also a volunteer at the First Presbyterian Church, and later Southgate Ministries, where he enjoyed taking care of the church landscaping. Lee was a devoted father and brother, and a kind and faithful friend. He knew no strangers and had a smile, a wave or a kind word for all he met. He is survived by his son, Gary of Cincinnati, OH; two daughters, Jeanine of New York City, and Elise of Clinton; his brother and sister-in-law, Arnie and Joan of Clintondale; nieces, Tammy, Allison and Melissa; and his ex-wife and loving friend, Janet of Clinton. He was predeceased by his dear friend, Winifred Mills ("it helps us to know that they are reunited again and causes us to smile when thinking of their joyful reunion"). "We will miss him terribly and pray for peace until we can be together again". A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, August 11, at Southgate Ministries, Main St., Waterville.
This poem reminds me of what my father would want me to know and feel in my heart whenever I am overcome with saddness. He would always have a smile on his face, or be placing smiley stickers around his desk at work to make me laugh; I know...and try to remind myself and our family that my father is in a place now where there is only loving kindness. A place where there is no longer a need for tears:
"Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there.
I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush.
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there.
I did not die."
This poem reminds me of what my father would want me to know and feel in my heart whenever I am overcome with saddness. He would always have a smile on his face, or be placing smiley stickers around his desk at work to make me laugh; I know...and try to remind myself and our family that my father is in a place now where there is only loving kindness. A place where there is no longer a need for tears:
"Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there.
I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush.
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there.
I did not die."
On August 3, 2007, the Lord called Lee M. Bernardini to his home. He was born March 2, 1952 in Brooklyn, the son of the late Arnold (Barney) and Adele Clausen Bernardini. Lee was a graduate of Brooklyn High School, Brooklyn College and received his Masters from SUNY at Stony Brook. Mr. Bernardini was the Manager of Pathology at St. Vincent's Hospital in Staten Island and later served as Director of Laboratory Services at Community Memorial Hospital in Toms River, NJ. In 1989, Lee and his family relocated to Clinton, and at one time he served as the Administrative Director of Laboratory Services at St. Luke's Memorial Hospital Center in New Hartford. Since 1991, Lee has resided in Waterville. Lee was a member and past board member of the Brothertown Optimus Club, and volunteered at the Harding Nursing Home and the Waterville Food Pantry. He was also a volunteer at the First Presbyterian Church, and later Southgate Ministries, where he enjoyed taking care of the church landscaping. Lee was a devoted father and brother, and a kind and faithful friend. He knew no strangers and had a smile, a wave or a kind word for all he met. He is survived by his son, Gary of Cincinnati, OH; two daughters, Jeanine of New York City, and Elise of Clinton; his brother and sister-in-law, Arnie and Joan of Clintondale; nieces, Tammy, Allison and Melissa; and his ex-wife and loving friend, Janet of Clinton. He was predeceased by his dear friend, Winifred Mills ("it helps us to know that they are reunited again and causes us to smile when thinking of their joyful reunion"). "We will miss him terribly and pray for peace until we can be together again". A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, August 11, at Southgate Ministries, Main St., Waterville.
This poem reminds me of what my father would want me to know and feel in my heart whenever I am overcome with saddness. He would always have a smile on his face, or be placing smiley stickers around his desk at work to make me laugh; I know...and try to remind myself and our family that my father is in a place now where there is only loving kindness. A place where there is no longer a need for tears:
"Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there.
I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush.
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there.
I did not die."
This poem reminds me of what my father would want me to know and feel in my heart whenever I am overcome with saddness. He would always have a smile on his face, or be placing smiley stickers around his desk at work to make me laugh; I know...and try to remind myself and our family that my father is in a place now where there is only loving kindness. A place where there is no longer a need for tears:
"Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there.
I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush.
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there.
I did not die."
