John Bernat Obituary

John - almost a year gone by and it still feels like too short a time that you were allowed to spend with us. If you can, please say "hi" to my dad, today is his birthday. May the angels bless, guide, inspire, and protect your family. We all miss you very much.

I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my sincere condolences.

Dr. Bernat was probably the best professor I ever had, and he was an exceptional mentor.

Lynne and family,
It has been several weeks since Mark Handley gave me the news. I have been in shock ever since. I still have the napkin where I noted John’s passing. We still find it hard to believe and are still saddened at the thought.
I knew John since our freshman year at Triangle, 39 years ago. John was studying to be an Architect and I a Chemical Engineer. John was talented with writing and I was good at math and science. John made attempts at teaching me writing as I attempted teaching John calculus. We both somehow both got good grades in those courses that year. But after that John and I had career crisis’s when we found out just what we’d be doing. I went to another branch of engineering and John when to teaching and helping people.
John was a good teacher. John taught people to laugh and have fun. John taught people about caring and being interesting in other people life. We did not need John last lesson on each of our mortality. We know John is happily with God watching each of our lives.
We’ll miss John but not as much as you and his children. He mentioned all of you often with pride, caring, concern, praise and deep obvious love. We have you in our prayers as you cope with your loss.

Lynne and family,

John hired me into the Ravenswood family in 1990 and we had remain friends all the years since. From his smart aleck voicemails to his thoughtful emails he always showed he cared.


You are in my thoughts and prayers.

I also worked with John at Troy University Atlantic Region. He was proud of his famliy, his contribution to leadership within the local medical community, and his ability to connect with our HRM students. He will be missed by all.

Dear Lynne, Alecia and Michael:

Please accept my sympathy. I worked with John at the Troy University Norfolk Campus. He was a joy to be around. He was loved by his students, the faculty and staff. He will be greatly missed.

Dear Lynn,
The stories I can tell about my dear, loving, giving, ever-supportive friend John would fill this book. Many of them are about our goofy antics at DePaul Medical Center. They were difficult times made so much better by John's even-handed and empathetic approach to all our personnel issues. I loved his ability to see the best in all of us and the creativity with which he approached everything. We are all the better for having him in our lives.

Lynne, Michael and Alicia,
Words are hard to find in times like this. Initially I was shocked and saddened and then my heart went out to all of you. Hugs are in order and they'll have to be of the virtual kind but I hope that you all will find some comfort knowing that all of us here have you in our hearts. I have read some of the messages sent by friends on this page and all of them say alot of the same things about John. I will always remember how John would "belly laugh" about a funny topic, which allowed his true nature to show. That's how I will always remember John. Much love and sympathy to all of you. Call us when you can.
Richard, Susan, Jason and Brannon Flansburg

Lynne, Alicia & Michael,
Words cannot convey our sense of loss. Mark & I are praying for comfort, for strength & for healing for you. God's peace,

With Sympathy and Prayers to Lynne and John’s entire family.
We will miss John being among us, but we know that he is with us in Spirit.
In FS&C
Jerry Thode

For you John, friend for 40 years-we were counting on 40 more so I can only look to songs and books for comfort at this time, I have no words of my own, "Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see the beauty, believe in them and try to follow where they lead." (from Louisa May Alcott). We will try to follow your lead: to be kind and generous with our time and attention, to listen when talking is easier, to offer aid and assistance without hesitancy, to seek out and stay close to family and friends. We will try these things John, it would be easier if you were still here nagging (uh, advising) us to do so but if we can keep your voice in our heads it may work out okay. We miss you very much,

Lynne,

I am so sorry beyond words. John was a great person and bigger than life. I'm sure you have many rich memories.

I hope you find comfort in your freinds and family.

Mike

John will be missed but never forgotten. Since first meeting him 35 years ago he was a true brother to me and I valued his friendship. I was so glad that Kim & I got to visit Kingsport just three weeks ago. He so loved that part of the country, but more importantly, we got to spend some quality time together, which was way overdue. Lynne, Michael & Alicia, we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

We were deeply saddened to read of your loss. John will always be remembered by us with a delightful twinkle in his eye while being mischievous and also one of the brightest and warmest people we've ever met.
Our prayers are with you.

John was one of those rare people who put a great deal of thought into his words before he spoke them. And, when he spoke, you knew you should listen. I will miss his Obtuse Angle entries. The man could turn a phrase. I am very glad I joined some of the Triangle brothers several years ago in Chicago, and that I got to see John again. He will be missed.

John was one of the first people I met when I joined Rotary. He was so very kind and had a gift for putting one at ease. We emailed weekly since John produced our Rotary newsletter from Chicago. I will think of him every Thursday.

Lynne, Alicia, and Michael,
He spoke of you so often with such love and devotion. I know that if John could tell you something right now it would be to take good care of yourselves. I pray for God's comfort for you all.

With my deepest sympathy,

My heart is heavy as I write this note. It has been many years since I last saw my cousin John; however, family is always in our hearts. We extend our deepest sympathy to the entire Bernat family. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Cousin Carole Serafin Kucic and husband Ray Kucic

John was such a kind soul. I can see him and Dan sharing a laugh at the house- always some kind of goofy thing they had cooked up together. I know if there is a heaven (and I know John thought there is), Dan and John are having a good time there, remembering the old times. He would be wanting Dan to play for him. I know more that most that anything I say right now desn't change your feelings of shock and sorrow. But know that I'm truly sorry for your loss, and will think of you often. Please don't hesitate to contact me if I can help in any way.

Lynn, John and Alicia:

I was saddened to learn of the loss of your husband, your father and my friend. John was one of the best persons I have ever known. I was blessed to have the opportunity to meet him and to meet you. I will always miss his great sense of humor, wisdom and integrity. He was truly one of a kind and we will always remember him.. God bless you and your family.

That big heart and wonderful sense of humor. All those great memories! Thank you John for looking out for me when I needed a big brother. You’ll always be in my thoughts and prayers.

And yes, thanks for leaving behind all those Amazon reviews! God surely gave you some wonderful gifts.

My condolences to John’s family for your loss. You should be very proud of him. His kind nature and playful spirit touched so many of us.

John is a true gentleman, and has been an exceptional Rotarian. His presence in the flesh will be sorely missed, as will his online contributions. But I pray he will be with us in spirit.

I just learned today about John's death, and am still finding it hard to believe. What makes me so sad is that I had received his phone number a few months ago, found it after misplacing it, and just last week told myself "Call John!"

But I didn't....our hope is in the resurrection, so I'll see you soon, John!

It is with the deepest sense of sorrow and regret that I learned of John's untimely passing. Childhood memories of happier times remain I extend my deepest sympathy to all of you and pray for strength in the difficult days that lie ahead. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Cousin Vivian

I believe John was one of the kindest and most gentle men I ever met. He always had that genuine smile which put you at ease. I will miss him.

With deepest sympathy,
John will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. We will remember his humble spirit and his wonderful humor.

With deepest sympathy,

John will be remembered by his fellow Rotarians in Kingsport as a kind and gentle spirit, quick to help others, a wonderful example of service above self. We will miss him greatly and pray for peace and comfort for his family.

Though I haven't seen John since college days, I remember him as a caring man of high integrity. My condolences to his family and friends.

Remember

Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.

By Christina Rossetti
The Poetry Foundation

Our deepest sympathies.

Much too short of a life. I don't know what more can be said.

FS and C

Brother John will be sorely missed. I'll remember the good times we shared in this life. I look forward to meeting you again in our heavenly home. In FS&C

Our sincere condolences.

Cousin Dick and Dolores

It was the very best of times - laughs, intellect, and kindness. You will be sorely missed and remembered.