Born on March 20, 1951 in Rochester, New York, John Paul lived a full life as a father, husband, brother, son, uncle, lawyer, salesman, and reigning fantasy baseball champion. A student of history, political science and law, John Paul studied at Boston College, the London School of Economics and St. Louis University School of Law. He was a proud alumnus and he took immense interest in law, business and politics.
John Paul was a lifelong Yankees and Boston College football fan, as well an avid collector of treasures from Yankees greats and his all-time favorite quarterback, Doug Flutie. Quick to sing a Beatles song or hum a Dean Martin tune, John Paul was the life of every room he walked into. You could often find him watching John Candy movies, lecturing on WWII, Churchill and Truman, or eating Italian food with his family - his happy place. An eternal optimist, John Paul believed in the power of kindness, happiness and laughter, which is the legacy he leaves behind in the hearts of those who knew him.
Son of the late Eva and Dominic de Bernardo, John Paul is survived by his wife, Catherine, and treasured children, Rachel (Jeff) Sheerin, Anne de Bernardo and Paul de Bernardo. He is also survived by his loving siblings: Eva (Phil) Smith, Mark (Jennifer) de Bernardo, Peter (Maria) de Bernardo, and Andrew (Dana) de Bernardo, as well as many wonderful nieces and nephews.
Celebration services will be privately held at St. Matthews Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the MS society in John Paul’s memory: https://secure.nationalmssociety.org/site/Donation2?df_id=55995&55995.donation=form1
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