Joseph Martin Bernard

Husband, father, civic leader, philanthropist, mentor, friend. We celebrate an extraordinary life, one of the greats of the greatest generation. From his boyhood love of baseball to a life of incredible generosity, Joe never put half a heart into anything. While he took over Bernard's Garage from his father in 1962, the business was simply a means to help everyone he encountered. He mentored dozens of young men at the garage and in Boy Scouts - many of whom kept in touch with him through the years. He served as Mayor of Milwaukie from 1962-1964 and spent many years raising money and serving on the Boards of Providence Milwaukie Hospital Foundation, LaSalle Catholic College Preparatory School Foundation, Benedictine Sisters of Mount Angel and many others. Over the years he led many organizations including North Clackamas Chamber of Commerce, Milwaukie Rotary, the Knights of Columbus and the Automotive Service Association of America. He was a devout Catholic and a staunch Republican throughout his life. Joe married Dolores Bernard in 1949 and they had six children. They were married for 28 years. During his final week he celebrated his 84th birthday, father's day and his 20th wedding anniversary to Shirley Benson who brought him many years of happiness and a great deal of chocolate. The family is collecting stories from people Joe's life touched. Send yours to Erin Bernard at ejbwritingstudio@gmail.com so we can include it in a tribute to him. A visitation will be from 12 noon to 6 p.m. Monday, June 25th at Stehn Family Chapels Milwaukie Tribute Center. A celebration of his life will be held at Saint John The Baptist Catholic Church in Milwaukie on Tuesday, June 26th at 12 noon. Reception to follow. Private Entombment will be at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; sons, Joseph, Edward, James and John; daughters, Joan McFadden and Kathleen Butler; eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The family requests remembrances to Providence Milwaukie Foundation, Benedictine Sisters of Mount Angel or LaSalle College Preparatory School.