Harold R. Bernard

WEST SPRINGFIELD Harold R. �Bud� Bernard, a gifted artist who loved life, died Sunday at home. His family was with him. Bud was born in Chicopee Falls on June 18, 1931, the youngest of five children of Joseph Calixtus Bernard and Helen (Casey) Bernard. His family called him �Buddy� and his childhood friends called him �Benny;� both names stuck for life. Bud graduated from Cathedral High School in 1948, at the age of 17. He worked briefly in printing before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. From 1950 to 1954, Bud served his country on troop-transport ships and submarines. After being honorably discharged, Bud attended the Vesper George School of Art in Boston, then returned to his home town, where he met his wife Brenda, who was visiting Chicopee from her native England. Bud and Brenda married in 1958. Bud and Brenda lived in England for two years. Bud�s London friends called him �Harry� and he added another nickname to his list. Bud and Brenda returned to this area in 1960, and in 1963, they bought a home on Upper Beverly Hills in West Springfield. Bud�s neighbors called him �Hal� � yet another warmly earned nickname. Over the years, Bud and Brenda made many return trips to England to visit family and friends and enjoy the beauty and art of England. Professionally, Bud was a printer. He worked as a supervisor for F.A. Bassette, retiring in 1993. During his career he was an active member and past President of the Springfield Club of Printing-House Craftsmen. Most importantly, though, Bud was a gifted artist. Over seven decades, he created thousands of beautiful pencil drawings, oil paintings, pastels and sculptures. Many of his works were given to family and friends over the years. Beginning in 2005, he held an annual �Art Show,� displaying dozens of his works in the back yard for family and friends to enjoy. Laughter, fellowship and joy were always hallmarks of Bud�s art shows Bud leaves his wife of 57-plus years, Brenda (Barry) Bernard; his son, Howard Bernard; his daughter-in-law Cindy Romaniak; and his cherished grandson Barry Bernard. Bud�s family will be receiving friends and family on Wednesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Toomey O�Brien Funeral Home, 1043 Westfield Street, West Springfield. A brief celebration of his life will follow. Bud�s ashes will be interred at the Veterans� Memorial Cemetery in Agawam on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Bud�s family requests that donations in his memory be made to the Capital Campaign to Expand and Renovate the West Springfield Pubic Library, 511 Main Street, West Springfield, MA 01089-3923 (checks payable to �Community Foundation of Western Mass,� with �WSPL Building Fund � H.R. Bernard� in the memo line) OR to New England Public Radio, 1525 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103-1413.