William Howard Bernard

William Howard Bernard passed away peacefully with his loved ones by his side at Huronlea Home for the Aged on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. He was in his 80th year.

Howard was the beloved husband of Joan (Triebner) for 58 years; dear father of his four girls, Gwen and Keith Doherty, Port Albert; Mary Ann and Jeff Thompson, Brussels; Dianne and David Diehl, Ethel and Cindy and Harvey Kikkert, Belgrave; the loving grandpa of Kate, Amber, Ashley, Emma, Paige, Shauna, Kali, Darby, Tamara, Cody, Shalin, Alyssa, Aryn, Jillian, Averly, Evan, Liam and Collin and great-grandpa to 17.

He was brother-in-law of Lillian Bernard, Marsha Triebner, Ralph and Joyce Triebner, Brian Triebner and Audry McClennan and Brenda Hickson and Larry Fitchett.

Howard was predeceased by his parents Earl and Annie Bernard, parents-in-law David and Ruby Triebner, siblings Janie and Jack McEwing, Tom and Marg Bernard, George Bernard, Mary and Harold East and brother-in-law Gary Triebner.

Howard was a volunteer firefighter in Brussels for over 30 years, over 10 of which he served as the department’s chief.

North Huron Publishing named Howard its Citizen of the Year in 1993 for the Brussels community. By all accounts, Howard was a respected member of the community who remained active for a number of years.

In 2016, a team of Howard’s family members, including his wife Joan, served as the honorary family for the Clinton Walk for Alzheimer’s to acknowledge their years of participation in the event, following Howard’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2011.

At the time, the support services co-ordinator for the walk said that Howard’s family was a great example for families coping with a member suffering from Alzheimer’s with the level of support they showed Howard.

Friends and family were received at the Brussels United Church for a memorial service on Friday, Oct. 13. A reception followed at the Royal Canadian Legion Brussels Branch 218. Cremation has taken place. A private interment is to follow at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers and as expressions of sympathy, donations to the Alzheimer’s Society of Huron County or Brussels United Church would be appreciated. Condolences may be left at www.riversidefuneralhome.ca