Lionel J.N. Bernard

   Lionel J.N. Bernard, 85, of Webster, MA passed away on July 14, 2023 in Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in Northborough after a courageous fight with pancreatic cancer.  

   He was born on February 28,1938 and was the son of Lionel J. Bernard and Rose B. (Berry) Bernard. He attended St. Leo’s school, Gallagher Junior High, and graduated from Leominster Trade School in 1956.  

   After graduation, he joined the Marine Corp. and was a member of the 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Battalion. His tours included the Mediterranean including Athens, Lebanon, and Syria. He was a linesman and specialized in communications. He served until 1959.  

   He would help in his father’s garage at a young age, which influenced his future career as an automotive mechanic. He was a truck driver for several years. He owned and operated several Taylor Rental Centers in the Worcester area. He bought a MAC Tools dealership and sold tools for 3 years. He was partial owner of Clearview Auto in Worcester and owned Baystate Auto in Boylston.  

   He loved to rescue dogs. You never knew what shape the dog he was rescuing would be in but it didn’t matter to him. He once brought home a blind, deaf, overweight chihuahua!! His latest dog, Lucy, never left his side. She protected him 24 hours a day.  

   After retirement, he developed a love for Corvairs. He owned a 1964 Corvair that he absolutely cherished. He would rebuild Corvair engines in his garage in Millbury. He also loved teaching this skill and would put on classes for his Baystate Corvair club. Anyone with engine trouble would reach out to him for help!  

   His passions included playing cribbage, chess, and cards, camping, painting (which his children just recently found out!), bird watching, and most of all spending time with family and friends.  

   He was generous with his time and would help anyone he cared about in any way he could. He was a proud, hard-working man. He loved his family and we loved him. He will be missed.  

   He leaves his partner, Carol Lorkiewicz of Webster, MA; his children, Darlene Bagley and her husband, Paul of Leominster, MA, Scott Bernard of Leominster, MA, David Bernard and his wife, Lori of Bolton, MA, Sherry Sullivan of Mt. Morris, MI, and Kim Ashe and her husband, Chris of Cherry Valley, MA; his step-children, Stephanie Spinney and her husband, Steve of Grafton, MA, Melissa Lee of Shrewsbury, MA; his "adopted" daughter Kathy Fritch and her husband, Bobby of New Salem, MA; his grand-children, Daniel Bagley, Nicholas Bagley, Todd Bernard, Nicole Wislocki, Thomas Sullivan, Amanda Sullivan, Patrick Gruenewald, Hunter Follansbee, and Grant Follansbee; his great-grandchildren, Ava, Carter, and Azrael.  

   He also leaves his brothers and sister; Nancy Arbo of Lancaster, MA, James Bernard and his wife, Tina of The Villages, FL, John Bernard and his wife, Fatima of Groton, MA, and Peter Bernard and his wife, Lynn of Lancaster, MA.  

   He also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins, step-children, step-grandchildren and friends. He is pre-deceased by his late wife, Marcia (Aubin) Bernard, the mother of his children, Patricia (Martin) Breault, and his great grand-daughter, Cadence Sullivan who died from a brain tumor called DIPG.  

   Calling hours are on Sunday, August 6, 2023 from 1pm-3:30pm at Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 N. Main Street, Millbury, MA 01527. Military honors will begin at 3:30pm in the funeral home.  There will not be a funeral service.  

   In lieu of flowers, please donate in his name to Disabled American Veterans, PO BOX 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250  

Mulhane Home for Funerals recommends that if you would like to send flowers to these services,

it is best for you to contact a florist directly.

 Local Florist:

Floral Boutique, 242 Millbury Ave, Millbury - 508-754-5637

Posies N Presents, 3 Boston Road, Sutton - 508-581-4164