Bathurst- Bernel John Wallace DeGrace passed away peacefully at the Foyer Notre-Dame-De-Lourdes in Bathurst on February 13, 2022 at the age of 83.

Bernel was the second son of the late Adeline (Melanson) and Danny DeGrace, he was predeceased by his older brother Rodney (Natalie) and survived by his brothers Robert (Kathy) and Keith (Lise) all of Bathurst.

He is also survived by his former wife Monica (Magnuson) and his loving daughter Alana and his only grandson Aiden, all of North Carolina, whom he loved dearly and talked about often.

He also has left various nieces and nephews who always enjoyed any time spent with their Uncle Bernel.

Bernel lived most of his life in Montreal, and Burlington, Ontario before moving to the United States to continue his career in the paper industry. He started with the Scapa Group of the UK, where he was export sales manager. He then became vice president in charge of international sales worldwide. Because of his work, he was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel the world, a part that he very much enjoyed. Bernel had a short lived career in the family business, Danny’s, in the early 60’s at which time he was instrumental in creating the famous Dannyburger. He retired in December 2004 and at that time he moved back to his hometown.

Bernel was a spirited conversationalist and a welcomed dinner guest, where many a late night was spent discussing topics ranging from politics to world affairs. Bernel was an avid reader on a wide range of topics and kept himself up to date on world events, which contributed to many a late night discussion.

Bernel had a love of music, of which he owned a wide selection. His love of music would have started with his mother, who had been a piano teacher. His musical tastes ranged from Classical, to Abba, to Willie Nelson. He particularly liked old Irish songs, one of which was Danny Boy, a family favourite. Bernel played the accordion and could play the piano by ear, which he did on many social occasions with family and friends. Bernel also had a love of boating and classic cars. A favourite activity of Bernel’s was spending time with his brothers at the family camp on Tetagouche Lakes, a place he loved dearly. Anyone who knew Bernel, knew he was always a dapper dresser, and anyone who had the opportunity to look in any of the neat and organized drawers in his garage would have thought he used his tools for dentistry…they were so clean and precisely placed.

The family would like to thank the care given to Bernel over the past few years, starting with the care he was given at the Prestige Residences, before entering the Chaleur Regional General Hospital and finally the excellent care he was given in the last few months at the Foyer Notre Dame De Lourdes.

He will be sadly missed by all those that loved him.

There will be no visitation at the funeral home. The family will celebrate Bernel’s life in the coming summer. Arrangements are in the care of Elhatton Funeral Home, Bathurst. (www.elhatton.com)