BORN

1937

DIED

2017

FUNERAL HOME

Foley Funeral Home

49 Court Street

Keene, New Hampshire

Harry Bernard Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Aug. 3, 2017.

Harry Alan Bernard, 80, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, August 1, 2017, in Walpole, New Hampshire.

He is survived by his wife, Pam Bernard, their children, Galen Bernard and Shea Bernard, as well as Mr. Bernard's children, Mitchell Bernard and Sherri Aloi, a sister Shelly Storch, and two brothers, Michael Bernard and Dennis Sadler. Mr. Bernard had seven grandchildren: Tyler and Gabriel Bernard, Anthony and Danielle Aloi, Jack and Ava Bernard, and Cameron Guetti.

He was born in the Bronx, NY, the son of Helen Meyer and Daniel Bernard. His mother later married David Sadler.

Mr. Bernard was early on a gifted painter. He attended the School of Industrial Arts in Manhattan, which offered a forerunner of a program in contemporary design. He was primarily a designer/art director, and a senior art director at several notable advertising agencies in New York City. In 1969 he and his wife moved to Boston where he worked at the Bresnick Co., at the time the largest agency in New England, and later as the joint owner of Clark Bernard & Corolla. In the 1980's he formed The Creative Team and over time brought in his children, Mitchell, Galen, and Shea. He won many prestigious awards in advertising, and was one of the early experimenters with digital design.

As a young man he participated passionately in the early days of rock and roll, writing songs for a doo-wop group he formed with friends in the 1950's and recording several songs.

While his commercial art dominated much of his early life, Mr. Bernard returned to the fine arts later on, focusing on large-scale oil and acrylic paintings, collage, monoprints, digital prints, and photography. He was particularly drawn to random imagery, often found on the street, which suggested a human presence.

He and his wife, a painter and writer, were founding members of the 249 A Street Cooperative, Boston, a groundbreaking project that turned a derelict 6-story building in South Boston into a thriving artists' enclave.

After moving to New Hampshire in 2004, Mr. Bernard began to exhibit locally, with a one-person exhibit at the AVA Gallery in Lebanon, NH, and recently was planning an exhibit to be installed March 2018 at the Castleton Downtown Gallery in Rutland, VT.

Mr. Bernard loved the Boston Celtics, and the painters Jean-Michel Basquiat, Willem DeKooning, Antoni Tàpias, and Cy Twombley. Among singer songwriters, he loved Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, and Tom Waits.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate his life at Alyson's Orchard, 57 Alyson's Lane (Off of Route 12), Walpole, on Friday August 18th, from 5-8 PM.

For those who wish, donations may be made to FMEEA (Fall Mountain Educational Endowment Association), c/o Gary Grey, PO Box 610, Charlestown, NH 03603-0610.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Harry Bernard

Sponsored by Foley Funeral Home.

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What is something you learned from Harry?

Not sure what to say?

August 21, 2017

Ruth Mordecai

Dear Pam, Saw this initially and was shocked. Then family and all took over. Just returning and thinking about you all. I Loved Harry's energy and independent thinking as an artist. Those were great years at 249 A Street. Sending love to you and your family. Ruth

August 11, 2017

Friend

Becky Sakellariou

Thinking of you fiercely dear Pam. May you find peace, comfort and solace with your fine family. with love, Becky

August 11, 2017

Friend

Mady Mitchell

Knew Harry back in Brooklyn when we were both in our teens. My condolences to his family.

August 11, 2017

Friend

Nancy Mcgartland

My deepest sympathies.

August 10, 2017

David Ruekberg

Peace to Pam and the family.

August 10, 2017

David Ruekberg

Peace to Pam and the family.

August 10, 2017

Acquaintance

Sheryl Trainor

I knew Harry through AVA Gallery and Two Rivers Printmaking Studio. He was such a talented man, and his work was inspiring to those of us who were lucky enough to see his exhibitions at either venue. Condolences to his family.

August 10, 2017

Paula Jean Anderson,

Uncle Harry was such a wonderful man. He was not only caring, he had such a great sense of humor. I loved to hear him laugh. It was infectious. He loved life and, you could feel that when you were around him. I will miss you so very much. With all my love RIP.

August 10, 2017

Friend

Richard Wise

I first got to know Harry when I was considering self-publishing a book. Harry helped me through the publication of not one but three books. I valued his calm good humor and advice. He was always patient and honest and he helped me create a beautiful book. He will be sorely missed I am sure by all of his friends, business associates and family. He was a true gentleman.

August 10, 2017

Bruce Blanchette

HARRY

The news is sudden
and throws me down
shocked...
shattering my day
in a flash that leaves me speechless
I am numb from head to toe.

In the vacant blankness
of the moment
comes a dreadful density like a black hole
absorbing all the sound and light around me
leaning on me
compressing me into deep cushions
almost suffocating me with darkening dismay
I feel myself lost for a long while
contemplating an alternate universe
with gravitational forces that make it hard to stand

Harry was my friend.

So I supposed that Pam
the poet partner of his life
instinctively knew
an unintended cruelty of words
sometimes abides in metaphor
or over indulgent phrase
and in her need to share her anguish
would never think to say that he had passed away
(a phrase I hate)
but simply e-mailed me and said he died.

Life ends sometimes like a slamming door
but Harry wouldn't choose to leave in such a huff
a vexing wind perhaps came up
and pushed him through before he could resist.

I'd like to think
as he glanced back
perchance for one last look
that he revisited his entire life
and though unsatisfied for sure
with only eighty years
he knew happiness was there
with dearest family
and friends
and in his love and in his art.

Harry was my friend.

August 10, 2017

Raymond Murphy

I have only known Harry for a couple years now. But I can say that it was a privilege having this man in my life for those years. He will be missed my many and loved by all. May he rest in peace and his memory live on by all that had the pleasure of knowing him.

August 10, 2017

Our deepest condolences to his entire family and to all that loved him...Pearl and Joel Storch

August 10, 2017

Art and Nadine Bernard

We were saddened to hear of Harry's sudden passing, we had always hoped to meet him someday, we were happy to read he had such a rich and rewarding life.

August 10, 2017

Teacher

Lisa Houck

Harry took a class with me years ago and he was a talented artist and a gentle soul. I send condolences to all who loved him.

August 9, 2017

Ursula Cassidy

My deepest condolences to Shea, Pam, and family. Harry was a sweet, gentle soul and I will always remember him fondly. I am thinking of you all and sending prayers.

Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results

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To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Foley Funeral Home

49 Court Street, Keene, NH 03431

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