NEW BEDFORD — Roger Paul Bernard, age 95 years of South Dartmouth, died Wednesday, April 19, 2006, after a period of declining health. He was the husband of the late Jeannette (Mercier) Bernard.
Born in Blackstone, Ma., he was the son of the late Adelard and Mathe (Loisselle) Bernard and lived in the greater New Bedford area much of his life. Mr. Bernard was the proprietor of the popular Louise's Hat Shoppe on Pleasant St., downtown New Bedford and also ran the Bernard's Millenary Store on William Street, also in downtown New Bedford.
A communicant of St. Mary's Church, So. Dartmouth, he was a railroad buff, loved photography and home movies and enjoyed times spent in summer at Moody Beach, Maine with his family.
He is survived by his son Paul R., of Winterville, Me., his daughter, Diane B. Ross and her husband Bill of Mooresville, N.C., six grandchildren, Michael P. Ross and his wife Judy of Acworth, Ga., Stephen B. Ross and his wife Christa of Virginia Beach, VA., Malinda R. Sherry and her husband Mark of Atlanta, Ga., Karen B. Plummer and her husband Alan of Glastonbury, Ct., Jill B. Brooker and her husband Kevin of Post Mills, Vt., Amy B. Russo and her husband Greg of New Fairfield, Ct. and ten great-grandchildren.
His funeral Mass will take place on Monday, May 1, 2006, at 12 noon in Our Lady of the Immaculate in Athol, MA., with burial in Gethsemane Cemetery in Athol.
Arrangements with the Wilson Chapel, 479 County St., New Bedford. www.wilsonchapel.net. Memorial remembrances may be made to the American Heart Association.