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Bernard J. 'Bernie' DePaul Sr.
1927-2006
Offensive Line and Coach
Bernard J. "Bernie" DePaul Sr., brilliant educator, high school principal, and passionate football coach, died Friday, Sept. 22, 2006. He was 79. We will miss his smile, voice and loving embrace.
The Berwick native was surrounded by his family when he passed away at William Childs Hospice House in Palm Bay, Fla. A loving husband and a truly exceptional family man, his loss will be immeasurable by all who were touched by his life — and there are many.
Bernie graduated from Berwick High School in 1945 as the class president, and the captain of the football and basketball teams.
After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Pacific theater, he received a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Bloomsburg State Teachers College, where he played football and basketball. He went on to earn his master's degree in early childhood education from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, and pursued his Ph.D. in education at SUNY at Buffalo, N.Y.
During an illustrious 45-year career in education, he taught all grade levels then advanced into administration in schools in Berwick; Arcadia and Port Charlotte, Fla. He coached football for more than 30 years, serving as the head football coach for Berwick High School from 1967-1970, and as a volunteer for numerous DeSoto and Charlotte school sports organizations.
In 2002, he was inducted into the Berwick High School Hall of Fame, in part for his athletic skills plus his exceptional service to the community. Bernie was a fervent sportsman, hunter and fisherman his entire life. He loved his God, his family, the outdoors and Berwick and Notre Dame football.
Bernie was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Palm Bay, and served on the Education and Parks and Recreation committees for the City of Palm Bay.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Nancy; eight children: Bernard Jr., Santi, Kathleen, David, Lisa, Carolyn, Nannette, and Anne Marie; daughters- and sons-in-law: Rhona, Diane, Craig, Carol, Ted, Meer and Greg; eight grandchildren: Carlee, Kyle, David, Franklin, Thomas, Andrew, Alexander and Bryce; two great-grandchildren: Camryn and Linzy; his sister, Mary Duggan, and his aunt, Elizabeth DiPaolo.
He is preceded in death by his father, Alexander DePaul, and his mother, Mary Vedro DePaul.
Memorial services will be held at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Palm Bay on Friday, Sept. 29, 2006, at 11 a.m.
Memorial contributions in his name may be sent to Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 300 Malabar Road SE, Palm Bay, FL 32907 or to the William Childs Hospice House, 381 Medplex Pkwy., Palm Bay, FL 32907.
**Obituary taken from Press Enterprise September 26, 2006**
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