Donald Joseph Bernard

Donald was born on August 2, 1930 in New Orleans to Percy Charles Bernard and Rose Montelepre Bernard. He lived the majority of his life in New Orleans, but relocated to Hammond after Katrina, where he spent the remainder of his life. He attended St. Anthony of Padua for grammar school, Jesuit High School and Loyola University for his undergraduate degree in Music. He also spent 4 years in Germany serving in the United States Army during peacetime.

He met his beloved wife of 49 years, Barbara Faulkner Bernard at Loyola, where after graduation they were married in New York City and spent the next five years living and pursuing professional operatic careers. After having children, they returned to New Orleans, and Donald became a management trainer for Maison Blanche on Canal St. for several years before moving to Regional Sales at Rowley Company, where he finally retired after many years with the company.

In addition, Mr. Bernard continued to achieve formidable success in his singing career as he performed with Los Angeles Opera Company, Jackson Opera Company and various other companies and symphonies across the southern United States. His most noteworthy tenure was with the New Orleans Opera Association which began in 1952 and ended in 1993. In total, Donald Bernard performed 41 different roles in 213 performances over his 41 years with New Orleans Opera Association. His most notable role was the Sacristan in Puccuni's Tosca, a role he became infamous for among opera circles. During his years with the New Orleans Opera, he performed with such artists as Placido Domingo, Sherrill Milnes, Leonard Warren, Richard Tucker, Zinka Milanov, among many others.

He was most proud that his wife Barbara and his two children Donna and David, who also sang with the Metropolitan Opera in New York, all performed roles in various productions with New Orleans Opera Association; the only family in New Orleans Opera history where all immediate family members had performed roles with the company; they were deemed by the Mayor's office and the Times - Picayune as the "First Family of Opera" in New Orleans in honor of this familial achievement.

Mr. Bernard also served as Choir and Music Director of St. Anthony of Padua church for nearly 40 years and was a baritone soloist at Temple Sinai on St. Charles for over 40 years. He was also active in many community organizations serving the city throughout his years. One of his biggest thrills was leading the Christmas Caroling in Jackson Square and directing the St. Anthony choir for the New Orleans Papal visit in 1987.

He is survived by his son, David Bernard and daughter Donna Bernard Kerber, daughter in law Cyndi Bernard and son in law Patrick Kerber; 5 grandchildren Meg and Jess Kerber; Kelly Bernard Field (husband Richard), Brett and Hallie Bernard, and 2 great grandchildren Gretchen and Hayden Field. He is also survived by nieces, nephews and extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Faulkner Bernard, his parents Percy and Rose Bernard, his brother and sister, Warren Bernard and Doris Viau.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 2626 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis TN 38105.

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