Clifford Samuel Bernardo

Cliff was born in Port Loring, (northern) Ontario, the son of Edward Bernardo, whose family pioneered in the area in the 1880's after immigrating from the Italian section of the Sud Tyrol Mountains, and Thelma Cook, the daughter of a Scottish Tugboat Captain. Clifford was married to the love of his life, Doris Smith, for over seventy-eight years.

Cliff will be greatly missed by his sons Stephen (Gemma), and Craig (Debbie), his grandchildren, Matthew (Elizabeth), David (Laura), Stephanie, and Andrew (Jana) and his great grandchildren Rhiannon and William,Conrad, Aubrey and Colin, and Sophia and Helena.

Cliff was a fine high school athlete and at 6'2 and 225 lbs, an imposing physical presence. Yet Cliff was incredibly kind, gentle and helpful to all he knew. Although he was reserved, Cliff won many trophies as an orator while a member and Regional Director of Toastmasters International.

He spent almost his entire work career at Sears Canada, retiring as a tax analyst at age sixty.

He was a man of multiple talents, many of which were displayed as he self built, wired and plumbed a large lakeside cottage, transporting all building materials across the lake in small boats as there was no road at that time. The lake was Cliff's spiritual home and was his, and Doris' principal residence from early May to mid October in their retirement years.

To Cliff, family was everything, and he never tired of babysitting, transporting or accommodating his grandchildren. Although Cliff was not able to attend university, he did proceed to study Management Accounting and was delighted in the fact that his four grand children all obtained multiple university degrees and professional designations. He was immensely proud of each of his seven great grandchildren and appreciated how individually

special they were.

Cliff was a very private person who nevertheless relished conversations with his son's and grand children's friends as they visited the lake.

A few short stories highlight how special he was. At age 47 he tried water skiing and was skiing on his first attempt. He completed the Toronto Star crossword and later Sudoku daily, until the end of his life. He also donated blood to the Red Cross an incredible 174 times.

He was willing to give anything, and ask for nothing himself.

At Cliff's wish, there will be no funeral or service, however, his family is looking forward to having a Celebration of Life on a sunny day at the lake next summer.

Thank you Clifford, for all that you have given your family, for being such a wonderful role model for three succeeding generations and for being the model citizen that every Canadian should seek to emulate.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ThompsonFH-Aurora.com for the Bernardo family.