Lawrence Bernard

SOUTHBRIDGE –Lawrence P. Bernard, 75, formerly of Millbury, Worcester, and Paxton, passed away peacefully on April 16th surrounded by his family.

Larry’s wife, Rose-Marie (Parzych) Bernard of 51 years, passed away earlier this year.  He leaves two children, Mary-Ann M. Rokicki and her husband, John of Rutland and Michael D. Bernard and his wife, Larni of Grafton; six grandchildren, Rebecca, Alicia, Thomas, Megan, Kolby, and Cami; one great grandchild, Madisyn; a sister-in-law, Lucille Maguire and her husband, Mike of Millbury; many nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Edna (Gonyea) Bernard; a sister, Claire Johnson, a brother Leo Bernard, his brother-in-law, Bob Johnson, and his sister-in-law, Betty Bernard.

Larry graduated from Holy Name CCHS in Worcester and received his bachelor's degree in business management from Nichols College in 1960. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.

Larry's working career included working within the paper industry as well as metal stamping, wire and cable, plastics, explosives supplies, and credit card processing industries. Starting out as a cost accountant, he advanced to the level of Controller, Treasurer, and Vice-President of Finance, before owning and operating LB Enterprises, a vending machine business which he began in 1991 until retirement.

Larry was very active in his church parish at Assumption in Millbury and later, Church of St. Columba in Paxton, where he also continued with his love of basketball by being involved with their recreation program.

Larry was a Lions Club Member in Paxton, A Harmony Club Member, and a Cribbage Club member in Southbridge. Larry was an avid sports fan of the Boston Red Sox, Celtics, and Patriots, often watching the games sharing his peanuts with his dogs beside him. He loved vacationing with family and friends especially visiting Cape Cod. He enjoyed fishing, golf, nature, gardening, planting flowers and caring for the landscaping of his yard. Family, friends, and neighbors were most important to him, as playing cards, horse-shoes, pool parties, and cook-outs were favorites of his along with the walk around the yard telling others about who's house his plants came from and there was no fishing without taking his son or grand-son out hunting for the night-crawlers first. Taking care of his wife and family in all aspects was always first priority to him.

Family and friends will honor and remember Larry’s life by gathering for calling hours on Tuesday, April 24th from 4 to 7 p.m. in Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 N. Main Street, Millbury.

His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 25th at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 12 Waters Street, Millbury.  His committal service will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.