1953 – 2003

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – James G. “Jimmy” Bernard, 49, a resident of San Francisco, Calif., and a native of Jay, and a very kind and gentle spirit, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, April 5, at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center.

Born in Farmington, Sept. 15, 1953, the son of Gerard and Eva (Arsenault) Bernard, he graduated from Jay High School in 1971.

He worked briefly at the International Paper Co. in Jay and attended the University of Maine at Farmington, before his adventurous spirit took hold and he journeyed to San Francisco, Calif., and made that his home for the rest of his life.

Over the years, he worked at many diverse jobs. His love of cooking and preparation of gourmet meals led him to a job as an assistant chef at Chez John’s for several years. He later was employed as a janitor so he would have time to travel and hike. He then moved into a career of making fine hand-crafted wood furniture. His love of woodworking led him to become self-employed and he used his talents to help restore many of the fine old homes of San Francisco.

He was currently enrolled at Community College of San Francisco and looking forward to receiving his degree and starting a career in computer sciences. He had an insatiable quest for knowledge. He closely followed current events and was an avid reader. His knowledge of most subjects was incredible.

He loved to cook and enjoyed entertaining his friends. He was an ardent hiker and particularly enjoyed the Russian River area. He loved animals and had several cats during his lifetime. At his former home on Page Street, he enjoyed gardening and spent many hours tending the landscape. He was a member and volunteer at Project Inform, the AIDS Ride and previously worked at the volunteer hotline for the HIV/AIDS Project.

He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and those that knew him.

He is survived by three sisters, his twin sister, Jean Bear and her husband, Mark Bear of Jay, Diana Young of Canton and Alethea Cloutier of Auburn; two nieces, Melissa Bear of Jay and Jennifer Young of Champion, Pa.; one nephew, James Young III of Fayetteville, N.C.; one great-niece; his long-time companion, Burling McAllister of San Francisco, Calif.; his aunts, uncles and many cousins and friends.