Dear Caillouet Family,

Bernard was one of my best friends, and he will forever remain in my heart as one of the people I cherish most in this world. 

He was endlessly kind, warm, and caring. I loved spending time with him, and we could talk about anything for hours. We could talk about serious things, like faith and the meaning of life. Other times, we would just goof off and joke around with each other. Either way, I felt free talking to him about anything. He was a fantastic listener. He was so openhearted and openminded that you felt free to spill your guts to him. You would feel free to confide in him about any hardship you were facing, and you would feel free to make silly jokes with him that you would feel too self-conscious to say in front of other people. Regardless of who you were, he made you feel understood.  He was the greatest friend imaginable. 

In every way possible, he brightened my days. I loved looking out the window and seeing him return from his morning jogs. I loved the way he would lean his head back and sass out a “You know what…” whenever we would rib each other. I loved listening to the beautiful melodies he would play on the piano. Everything about him made the world a happier, more beautiful place. 

And more than anything else, Bernard was a good man. On the very first day we met, he said that I could call him at any time and ask him to walk me back to the dorms if I ever felt unsafe. We had only known each other for one day, but he still offered to drop everything and come over to where I was to make me feel safe. That was the exact kind of person that Bernard was. No matter what the problem, no matter where or when it occurred, he would always be willing to help. 

Ever since we met, Bernard has gifted me joy, laughter, support, and friendship. He inspires me to be a better, kinder person every day. Even though I will forever miss him, I will also always love him and cherish every moment I got to spend with him. 

We were joking around, and I decided to take a photo of a silly face that he made. However, the moment I snapped the photo, he changed his facial expression to a grumpy one instead just to joke around with me. 

I took this photo of us together when we were having dinner at a restaurant. Whenever our schedules overlapped, we tried to go out to a restaurant and eat together whenever we could. 

We took this photo on one of those rare days when all of our schedules overlapped. It was a bit chilly still, hence why we were wearing coats, but we decided to go out to Kung Fu Tea for drinks. 

I forgot when or where I took this selfie, but I remember that I decided to take a photo of us when we were both feeling silly. 

It was getting warmer in the spring, and all of us had a free afternoon, so we decided to go hang out at the Lakefill together. 

We took this photo at Six Flags together. We were competing against one another in one of those interactive rides. 

We took this photo during Wildcat Welcome week. This is a photo of our peer adviser group 186. 

I forget when I took this photo, but I remembered I wanted to take a selfie with friends. 

I cannot recall exactly where this happened, but it happened during Wildcat Welcome week. I think we took this selfie at Six Flags. 

This happened during Wildcat Welcome week. We watched the Northwestern vs. Duke together. 

Best wishes to Bernard's family. Like everyone who knew him, I'm going to miss his calming presence and consistently hilarious comments. One of my favorite high school memories is of going to the state fair with Bernard, and I've often thought about that memory (and all my other memories with him) fondly in the years since. Feeling lucky to have had the opportunity to know Bernard.

Dear Caillouet family,

My name is Sabre Campbell and I was in the grade below Bernard at Brebeuf. I didn't know Bernard very well since we were in two different grades and didn't share any classes together. But because of the closeness of our last names, Bernard and I had our lockers right next to each other for two years in a row. I saw Bernard every day after school and we always said hello to each other and asked about each other's day before wishing each other a good evening and/or weekend. I remember most that Bernard had the sweetest voice and just radiated kindness. I will cherish the memories I have of my interactions with him. I am thinking of your family at this time and wish you all the best comfort as you navigate this difficult time. 

Love,
Sabre

Dear Cousin,

We were just talking about you! Man  you left me a lot of hurt with this one but just know you were loved by many! May you rest easy and peacefully. Love you Cuzo BB

Bernard was the absolute best friend anyone could ask for: loyal, caring, and cheerful (not to mention a great sense of humor-see photo!). He put everything down at a moment’s notice if you were having a rough day and needed to talk, and was a fantastic listener. I confided my secrets, my ups and downs, and my feelings in him. 

When I was having problems at home, he’s the first person I’d call for comfort. When I had a crush, he’s the first person I would call and we’d do online snooping together. My partner in crime. When I got accepted into medical school, he was the first person I called to celebrate with. My biggest cheerleader. 

I am incredibly lucky to have met such a wonderful friend. He knew all parts of me - sad Tracy, inappropriate Tracy, neurotic Tracy, sassy Tracy, ridiculous Tracy, and the occasional happy Tracy. He was one of the only people (if not, the only person) I could share all these sides to. We shared hundreds of inside jokes that no one else would ever understand. It’s hard to explain but no one else “gets” me like how he “gets” me. He was my soulmate. He was the sibling I’ve always wanted. 

Bernard has brought joy, warmth, and laughter to my life these past 6 years and I am forever thankful for our time together. He was one of the kindest human beings I’ve met and he inspires me to be a better person. 

Bernard will be dearly missed. I long to talk to my best friend, catch up on stories of what’s going on and share videos/pictures of recent events so we can laugh, I can let my guard down and be myself. I can share my unfiltered and unconventional thoughts and my quirky sense of humor that only he truly understands. But whenever I face a rough patch, Bernard has always encouraged me to be strong and resilient, to be grateful and optimistic. So, for him, that’s what I’ll try to be. 

This is one of the few photos I have of Bernard. Wish we had taken more together (but I looked like trash most of our hangouts so photos were never on my mind).  But I will cherish the ones I have. 

This one in particular always made me smile.  Taken in the dining hall of college (Northwestern) where we met. One of our many, many dinners together before we'd head to the library. *This photo is quite misleading, because the dining hall food was NOT good but we had to do what we could to survive. 

Bernard "B Nasty" was one of the most easygoing people I knew at Brebeuf. I appreciated Bernard's warmth and kindness a lot, and I know that kindness was spread to others. The world will miss the light and warmth that he brought to a group of people. 

Sending love to all of your family. Bernard was genuinely one of the kindest souls, and we were all lucky to have spent our years at Brebeuf with him. He will be dearly missed and forever in my thoughts. ❤️

Prays from the Drook Family (Wendy, Allison, & Thomas),

Bernard had such a kind spirit, had an insightful answers in conversations, such a strong faith,  we talked about his love for music,  how much he was loved, and we shared so many laughs together.  We pray that he is at peace. 

Our condolences goes out to his parents, sister, both sets of grandparents, and to the rest of his family and loved ones. 

OBITUARY

Bernard Christopher Caillouet

17 January, 1998 – 12 December, 2022

Williams & Bluitt Funeral Home

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