Bernard Francis Powers

Bernie was born in Worcester, Mass to Alice (nee Barry) and Elliot Powers, where he lived with his parents and his 3 late brothers, Richard, Robert and William Powers.

The Powers relocated to Whitman, Mass where Bernie graduated from Whitman High School. He then proudly served his Country in the United States Navy. He was stationed in Bremerhaven, Germany where he served as a Communications Technician. He went on to attend Bridgewater State College and Boston University. He met his wife, Jane in the Bridgewater smoking lounge then known as “the butt room” and also made lifelong friends playing for the Bridgewater baseball team.

Bernie dedicated his life to education. He began his career as a teacher at the Frank E. Holt School in Whitman, where he soon became the school’s principal. He continued in that role until 1976, when he and Jane moved their family to Osterville. There, he was principal of both the Osterville Elementary School and the Osterville Bay School. Summers were spent working as a Park Ranger for the Cape Cod National Seashore from 1960-1975, where the whole family spent summertime in a cottage in the dunes of South Wellfleet.

Bernie believed learning should be enjoyable. He encouraged teachers and students to always find time for “five minutes of fun” during the school day. He would often be seen walking the halls with his Wiffle Ball bat at the ready. He carried that same spirit into his family, organizing field trips with his six children that he called “Forced Fun with Father”. A couple of memorable trips in the station wagon were to the Budweiser Plant in NH to visit the Clydesdales and perhaps to sample the beer, and great fun was had traveling to old cemeteries for some gravestone rubbing!

Family was at the center of Bernie’s life. He was the beloved husband of Jane (nee Tuttle), a native of Chatham. Together, they raised six children and created a home filled with love, music, humor and cherished family memories. Over the years, their family was shaped by the places they called home, including Whitman, Osterville, Chatham and South Wellfleet.

Bernie had a lifelong love of baseball and softball. He coached Whitman and Barnstable Little League for many years creating teams that were competitive but so very fun! He played ball at Bridgewater Teachers College, and was an active member of the Cape Cod Old Timers Softball League. He played for nearly 30 years on Cape Cod creating new age brackets as he and his teammates moved from 60 years old into their 90’s.

Bernie was chosen as an All-Star and was inducted into the CCSSL Hall of Fame in 2012. In 2008, as a teammate on the 70 year old All-Star Travel team, the team claimed the Senior Softball World Championship held in Phoenix, AZ. Oh how the WAGS (wives and girlfriends) celebrated that win!

Bernie enjoyed a good game of ball, whether it was baseball, softball or Wiffle ball. Warm days in Whitman with our next door cousins and his professional baseball pitcher brother, Bill, would be filled with 10 plus kids running bases and games of pickle and Wiffle ball. Summer days in South Wellfleet often revolved around Wiffle ball games also, with Bernie serving as coach, chief strategist, and occasional umpire. Bernie always made time for a “little Wiff”. Those games remain some of the family’s favorite memories.

Bernie was known for his quick wit and sense of humor. He continued to use both with his care team at Cape Cod Hospital and the VNA of Cape Cod.

Bernie loved his New England Sports teams, he especially loved watching the Boston Red Sox. He very much enjoyed spending time with his family, as well as reading the daily papers. After the Sports Page he would check the daily obituaries to see if he was mentioned that day.

Bernie was the devoted father of Susan Cunningham and her husband, Phil; Martha Tardif and her husband, Paul; Andrew Powers and his wife Sue; Pamela Tillo and her husband, Chris; Katherine Pietropaoli and her husband, Paul; and Daniel Powers.

He was the proud grandfather of Katie Cunningham, Andrew, Adrienne and Amelia Tardif; Abby and Lucy Powers; Zach, Matthew and Mollie Tillo; and Laura, Tim and Justin Pietropaoli . He was predeceased by his beloved grandson, Liam Cunningham.

The family would like to thank the VNA Hospice Team of Cape Cod, these outstanding caregivers supported Bernie and the whole family during these last few months.

Visitation will be held at Nickerson Funeral Home, Crowell Road, Chatham, Massachusetts, during the hours of 12-4 pm on Saturday, August 8, 2026. Bernie asked that you bring a story to share alongside his dear friend, Tom Evans, who will have multiple stories to share.

Memorial donations in Bernie’s memory may be made to the Cape Cod Senior Softball League or the VNA of Cape Cod Hospice Team.

capecodseniorsoftball.com

VNA of Cape Cod, 25 Communication Way, Hyannis MA 02601