Bernard "Bernie" Anthony Rolle

Bernard was born January 17, 1918 in Eveleth, MN to Lawrence and Jennie Rolle. He lived a long life and was blessed to pass away peacefully in his sleep with his family by his side on January 14, 2011 in Dallas, TX.

He is preceded in death by his wife Doris Rolle, parents, and brother, Dennis Rolle. Bernard is survived by his son, Lawrence Rolle (Roxane) of Dallas, TX; daughter, Sally Gershon (Robert) of Tucson, AZ; grandchildren, Cole and Crosby Rolle, and Joel Gershon (Laura Calabrese); great-grandson, Jude Gershon; brother, Glenn Rolle (Dorothy); sister, Jane Rolle; daughter-in-law, Gina Rolle of Dallas, TX; and step-granddaughters, Micaela and Ariana Hamilton.

Graduate of Eveleth High School in Eveleth, MN. Graduate of St. Cloud State University in Minnesota where he was an exceptional hockey player and the oldest living hockey letterman at the time of his death. Bernard married Doris Fuller in 1942 in Biloxi, MS. They resided in Paxton, IL from 1948 – 1988 and retired to Dallas, TX. He taught at Chanute Air Force Base (Rantoul, IL) in 1941 and then served in the U.S. Air Force during WWII. After the war, he stayed at Chanute AFB and worked for the US Govt. as a federal employee specializing in Labor Management for 35 years. After retirement, Bernard developed and operated his own labor consulting firm. Bernard was past member of the Paxton Board of Education; past president of the Paxton PTA; Supervisor of Patton Township; member of Patton Township Board; member of Ford County Sheriff Merit Board; member of Paxton American Legion Post; and Little League Baseball Coach for 6 years. Bernard was an avid Texas Rangers fan and saw every inning of every game in the 2010 season. He loved attending many of the sporting events in which his grandchildren played.

The family offers special thanks to the Autumn Leaves Retirement Community whose staff was so very gracious in their care and affection during Bernard’s final years.

A Memorial Mass will be held 10:30 AM, Saturday, January 29, 2011 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 6306 Kenwood Avenue, Dallas 75214.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Texas Special Olympics, www.sotx.org. Arrangements under the direction of Sparkman-Crane Funeral Home, Dallas, TX.