Bernard Neal Curley

Long time Bremerton resident Bernard Neal Curley passed away on April 22, 2022 due to complications from a brain tumor. Bernard was born on June 21, 1930 in Blair, Nebraska to Clifton and Elvena Curley, and was the fourth of five children. He graduated in 1948 from Hoover High School in Glendale, California, after which he joined the US Navy where he served during the Korean Conflict aboard the USS Rupertus. Following his stint in the Navy, he made his way to Washington State where he was accepted into the apprenticeship program at PSNS. Bernard worked there until his retirement 30 years later; he was an Electrical Engineering Technician.

Bernard is survived by his wife, Shirlee, his son and daughter-in-law, Darrin and Julie Curley of Longview, WA, and daughter and son-in-law, Rene’ Curley and Lucas Singh of Memphis, TN, as well three grandchildren, Spencer, Gavin and Paige, and numerous nephews and nieces. Bernard and Shirlee were married in 1960 and have made their home in East Bremerton ever since. Bernard loved being involved with his children and their activities. He served as Committee Chairman of Boy Scout Troop 544 and enjoyed accompanying them on many lengthy hikes, even going to Alaska to hike the Chilkoot Trail. After joining the Manette Masonic Lodge, he served as Rainbow Dad for Manette #94, International Order of Rainbow for Girls. Over the years, he helped with many Pinewood Derby cars and school science fair projects.

Bernard’s personal hobbies included gardening, hunting, fishing, cribbage-playing and skiing. He was a former member of the Bremerton Ski Cruisers and enjoyed racing in the Bremerton Days events at Stevens Pass. He is well remembered for his gardening accomplishments, which include several best of show and first place awards at the Kitsap County Fair for his homegrown “dilly beans” and pickled asparagus. His hunting experience began with his father-in-law, Floyd Sunderhauf, in the early sixties, in Eastern Washington on Mt. Chopaka. He loved going for his yearly “walk in the woods” with his buddies, and eventually made a moose-hunting trip to British Columbia.

In the 1980’s Bernard joined the Manette Masonic Lodge where he went on to serve as Master, eventually earning the 33rd degree and becoming a member of Scottish Rite. During his years of Masonic and Scottish Rite service, he served on various committees such as the Masonic Scholarship Committee and the “Wild Game” Dinner Committee.

He will be remembered in a Scottish Rite Memorial Service at the Bremerton Masonic Temple on Tuesday, May 3rd at 1:00 p.m. The public is welcome, and family visitation will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bernard’s name can be made to the Bremerton Valley Scottish Rite Scholarship Committee, 878 5th Street, Bremerton, WA 98310. Cards and expressions of sympathy may be sent to Mrs. Shirlee Curley, 3210 Rickey Rd NE, Apt. 131, Bremerton, WA 98310.