Louis ‘Pete’ Bernard

1932 – 2016

BANGOR — Louis “Pete” Bernard, 83, passed away peacefully on Friday, Feb. 26, at a local hospital, in the presence of his loving children, daughters, Gerryann and Brenda; and sons, Tommy and Timmy.

He was born in Rumford, on Sept. 7, 1932, the son of Eugene and Delia (Boudreau) Bernard. Pete was a graduate of Stevens High in Rumford, in 1950. He served in the U.S. Air Force until the death of his father, and was granted an honorable discharge so he could return home to be with his family. Pete and his brother, Eddie, worked in the woods cutting pulp. He also worked at the Oxford Paper Mill in the R&D Department.

Pete and Gerry were married Oct. 9, 1954, in Rumford. They shared their life together for 56½ years, until Gerry’s death in February 2011.

Pete and Gerry and their four children moved to Bangor in December 1966. Walt and Leona Gurschick, also originally from Rumford, extended an invitation to celebrate New Year’s Day 1967 with their family, thus establishing a treasured lifelong friendship. Pete worked at Eastern Fine Paper until its shutdown. In 1968, Pete and Ernie Caliendo together started Northern Products Log Homes. Pete designed the “tongue and groove” feature of these spectacular homes. After 1973, Pete, having sold his share of Northern Products, set out on a new chapter of his future business ventures, among them several sawmills in Maine and New Hampshire.

Pete purchased a sawmill in Stillwater in 1987, which he named Stillwater Lumber. He and his son, Timmy, formed a partnership and Pete’s son, Tommy, who also worked at Stillwater Lumber with his father and brother. Pete purchased Crescent Lumber in 1993. Timmy managed Crescent Lumber while Pete managed Stillwater Lumber. Timmy purchased Crescent Lumber in 2001. Everyone, most likely, remembers Vera … Dad loved “Veevee.” Vera played the starring role in commercials for Stillwater Lumber. Pete sold Stillwater Lumber to Timmy in October 2011, which became the second Crescent Lumber location. Afterwards, Pete purchased a small saw mill in Charleston, which his son, Tommy, managed for him.

Dad’s pastimes included hunting and fishing, NASCAR, playing blackjack, snowmobiling and attending state fairs with Gerry, Dana and Dottie and Walt and Leona. Dad was an avid Patriots and Red Sox fan. Pete and his only remaining brother, Eddie, would talk on the phone each morning and night. For years, Dad enjoyed meeting up with his buddies, Dana and Donnie, at Nicky’s Diner.

Pete is survived by his children, Gerryann Bernard, Brenda (Bernard) Vogt

and husband, Greg, Tommy Bernard, and Timmy Bernard and wife,

Melissa; grandchildren, Kelly Vogt, Kevin Vogt, Brian Vogt, Callie Bernard

and Martina Bernard; one sister, Therese Bourret; one brother, Eddie Bernard; one sister-in-law, Doris O’Kane; and many nieces and nephews.

Pete was predeceased by his parents; and his siblings, Omar, Martha, Doris, Louetta, Olin, Gloria and Babe.

Pete’s family would like to extend their appreciation to Dr. David Koffman and Dr. Guillermo Crespo, for their fine care they afforded to Pete. A most heartfelt thank-you to Dr. Thomas Openshaw and the entire staff at Cancer Care of Maine. Everyone at CCOM was always welcoming, always compassionate and always SMILING!