Bernie was born May 25th, 1944 at St. Francis Hospital, Hamtramck, Michigan. He was the son of Bernard & Anna Simmons. He had one brother, Michael, who passed away in 1996. Bernie enjoyed a Catholic education at Our Lady of Grace grades 1-8 and attended Divine Child High School. Bern's early life was centered around family and baseball. Both he and his brother were talented athletes.

 

Through the tutoring of their father who also played baseball, both sons had a passion for, and were committed to, the sport their father loved so much. Anna, their mother, was very supportive of their efforts. Their close relationship and Catholic education molded Bernie into the adult he became.

Bernie became part of the Ford Motor Company family in 1965 in Wayne, Michigan. Bernie progressed through Ford Motor Company moving to Kentucky and back to Michigan. In 2000, he retired from Ford as an Area Manager. Bernie utilized his knowledge as a Consultant with Johnson Controls until 2005.

 

The same year he began his career with Ford, Bernie married and had three children; Denise in 1965, Jeffery in 1970, and Kevin in 1971. He was divorced in 1977. He also has three grandchildren, Andrew, Tyler, and Megan. He loved them all very much.

As Bernie would say, 1996 was a “HUGE” year for him. He met Diane, his heart opened and they were married in 2001. During that time, they went to Naples and fell in love with Cedar Hammock (a residential golf community). Bernie easily forged new friendships and was very happy playing golf, socializing and helping to organize the occasional social event. He also came to love and adore Jason, Diane’s son, who became much like a son to Bernie.

 

Bernie also had a love of magic. He would spend hours perfecting a trick and on occasion, delight his friends with his “slight of hand”. The common saying when he finished a trick was, “Do that again!”. He loved to entertain.



Bernie passed away peacefully, in the comfort of his own home in Naples with his wife, Diane, by his side. May he receive his wish in visiting with those who have already departed and be there at the gate with St. Peter to welcome us all. He was deeply loved and he will be missed.

 

Bernie passed away of Pulmonary Fibrosis. He and Diane have requested a donation in lieu of flowers to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. 

You may visit http://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/donate for more information.