The 66 years he spent on this earth were bold. Like an old Hollywood film, there was adversity, innovation, and transformation. But his life wasn’t about him. It was about the lives of everyone around him. He was the protagonist of the story. He shaped people. He inspired people. He changed people. There was a showmanship to him with the golf tournaments, concerts, bourbon, and travel. But it was really about who he surrounded himself with that mattered most to him. His friendships and relationships spanned decades and every walk of life. His circle included valets, waiters, doctors, CEOs, and everyone in between. Every life he touched, he changed. Every person that he changed then changed others. His reach was immeasurable.
Beyond his immense network of friends and colleagues, he was fortunate enough to find the loving support of his wife Marsha early in his life. Through their 42 years of marriage, she worked tirelessly behind the scenes. While he stood in the limelight shaping everyone, she quietly and meticulously shaped him. He was complex, with big dreams. She stood by him through all of it. Unwavering. Together they have given life to a beautiful family: James and Cecilia Berning and their children James Jr., Cole, and Pria; Stacy and Philip De Terlizzi and their son Alexander; Nicholas and Deborah Berning; and Tyler Berning. Along with Jim’s brothers Ken and John Berning and John’s wife Nancy, Marsha, the children and the grandchildren each hope to exemplify and continue Jim’s traits in their own respective ways. Collectively they hope to be able to fill his shoes, as no one person ever could. “And so it begins….”
There are few things that brought Jim joy more than the unconditional love of a tail wag. In honor of his love of animals, we ask that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Canine Care Tampa Bay.
