John F. Bernard Sr

John Francis Bernard, Sr., 96, formerly of Coatesville, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at his residence in McLean, Virginia.
John, who was known to most as Francis in his youth and as Whitey during his working years, was the husband of Dolores (Dolly) Hamer Bernard with whom he shared 65 years of marriage.
Born in Sadsburyville, he was the son of the late John T. and Anna Marshall Bernard. Prior to graduation, John was an Eagle Scout, sang in the Meistersingers and played in the school marching band and orchestra. He graduated from S. Horace Scott High School in 1939.
Enlisting in 1942, John served as a Sergeant Major in the Army Air Corp, African theater for three years in WWII, returning to Coatesville in 1945.
Prior to his military service and again after his return, John was employed for 38 years at Lukens Steel Company where he was supervisor of Industrial Engineering until his retirement in 1977.
After retiring, John and Dolly moved to Clearwater, Florida where they enjoyed 40 years of sunshine, travel, boating, fishing and his favorite pastime, golf.
John was a member of the former Presbyterian Church of Coatesville while living in Coatesville and regularly attended the Heritage Methodist Church while residing in Florida.
In 2016, John and Dolly moved to Sunrise Retirement Community in McLean, Virginia, to be closer to their daughter Connie.
John was pre-deceased by his sister, Margaret Bernard Rineer (John)
In addition to his wife, John is survived by his son, John F. Bernard, Jr. and wife Pamela and daughter Connie Bernard-Harding and husband Robert Harding and nephew John Rineer, Jr. Though spread geographically, John enjoyed time spent in Florida with the families of granddaughter Mandy (Cassidy) and great-granddaughter Haley, sister-in-law Jonnye-Jaye Kaminsky Terry (Michael) and in Virginia, granddaughters Anita, Michelle and Alexandra and five great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 12 pm, Wednesday, November 29 at the Harris-Mountain Funeral & Cremation Service, 1030 E. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville, family and friends are welcome to visit beginning at 11:45 am. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery, Coatesville.