Ernest Bercier

Ernest (Ernie) James Bercier, 86, of Bristol, TN, left his earthly “paradise” on his family farm in Bristol, TN on January 29, 2022, and entered into Eternal Paradise with his Lord and Savior after a hard-fought battle against covid. Ernie accepted the Lord at the age of 73 proving that you can never be too old to come to a child-like faith. An already upright and “good” man, Ernie’s faith continued to refine him. He exemplified so many Christ-like qualities. He was one of the kindest and most gracious men you could ever meet, and many have been impacted by his life and example. To God be the glory!

Ernie was born on October 1, 1935, in Meriden, CT. He grew up on a farm and appreciated the hard work and discipline that came along with that upbringing. After graduating from high school at Lyman Hall in Wallingford, CT in 1954, he served his country in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Panama for jungle training. Upon his return from the Army, he married his childhood sweetheart, Elinor J. Novak, on February 16, 1957. They went on to have 4 children: Linda, Kenneth, Susan and Steven Bercier.

He had an incredible work ethic and was a dedicated employee of Sears Roebuck for his entire career of 33 years. He started out working in the stock room at a Sears store in Hamden, CT and worked his way up within the store. He was then promoted to manage the Sears Fashion Distribution Center in North Bergen, NJ, and in hopes of providing his family a better life, they moved from North Haven, CT to White Meadow Lake in Rockaway, NJ. He was later promoted to the New York City Regional Offices of Sears, and he reached the pinnacle of his career when he was promoted and transferred to the Sears Tower — settling the family in West Chicago, IL from 1978-1989. In 1989 he took an early retirement package from Sears and moved back East to be closer to his children and grandchildren living in Gold Key Lake, Milford, PA and Mt. Bethel, PA before moving to Bristol, TN in 2016.

He loved his wife and children deeply and modeled a “do whatever it takes” attitude for his children always working hard to give them a better life. He loved sports and was a sports hero in High School. In 2001, he was inducted into the Lyman Hall H.S. Hall of Fame. He learned many life lessons through his involvement in sports and instilled those lessons in each of his children: commitment, perseverance and being a team player. He always found time to drive his four children to all their events, coaching them and encouraging them through both sports and life. He was the epitome of a selfless father and loved them very deeply.

Ernie was predeceased by his beloved wife, Elinor Bercier on June 17, 2012; his mother, Iva Craig; his sisters, Doris Bercier and Barbara Miller. He is survived by his daughter, Linda Hendricks and husband, Gary, of Bristol and grandchildren Michael Hendricks of Bristol, TN, Jennifer Kameen of Milford, PA and Amy Loguercio of Bristol, TN; his son, Kenneth Bercier and wife, Maureen, of Stroudsburg and grandchildren James Bercier and Alicia Bercier both of Stroudsburg, PA; his daughter, Susan Kunze, of Panama City Beach, FL and grandsons Robert Walthour and Derek Walthour both of Rockaway, NJ; and his son, Steven Bercier of Cordova, TN. He has 15 great grandchildren including one on the way.

The family will receive friends and family on Friday, February 4th at East Lawn Funeral Home from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. immediately followed by a funeral service and graveside with burial in East Lawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to either Compassion International or Tunnel to Towers in memory of Ernest Bercier.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eastlawnkingsport.com for the Bercier family.