Obituary of Bernard "Bernie" Joseph Lunney

With gratitude for a lifetime of memories, the family of Bernard “Bernie” Lunney of Saint John, beloved husband of Nancy (Patterson) Lunney, announce his passing which occurred on August 28 at Saint John Regional Hospital. Born in Saint John on May 28, 1932, he was the son of the late Cyril and Eva (Bourque) Lunney.

In addition to his wife of 56 years, Nancy, Bernie will be lovingly remembered by his children, Janet Lunney (Mike), Mark Lunney (Jenny), Heath Lunney (Michele) and Brent Lunney (Joanne); brother, Danny Lunney (Carol); sisters, Pat McIntyre and Hilda Lunney; precious grandchildren, Colby Rice, Brooke Lunney, Morgan Lunney, Ireland Lunney and Sydney Lunney; dear friend, Cecil Bourque who was like a brother to Bernie; as well as many nephews, nieces and cousins. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by sisters, Clara Graham, Mary Eva Saunders, Marie McCann, Gertrude Lunney and Edna (Gormley) Lunney.

Bernie was very influential in the Saint John community, giving his time unselfishly to many committees and causes.  His greatest passion was teaching. Originally, Bernie spent many years in the seminary before leaving to complete his master’s degree in education from the University of Maine.  Bernie stayed on at Bayside Junior High, until his retirement, where he quickly became one of the most respected teachers by students and colleagues citywide.

Mr. Lunney became infamous for beginning every school year by declaring to his class “I’m giving you all an A.  Now it’s up to you to keep it!” One of his other dictums was “If you tell your mind you can do it, you will.” His mission as a teacher was to make everyone feel like they’re the smartest person in the room.  He was inspirational to so many of his students, including Mustafa Nazarali, a former student, who established a scholarship in Mr. Lunney’s name currently awarded annually at Saint John High School.

He was a man of many talents from singing to sports to handiwork. He was a wonderful husband and an extraordinary father. He loved to entertain simply to bring joy to the faces of everyone he encountered. He loved the simple things in life and embraced it all with wonder and gratitude and he will be deeply missed by many but most of all by us.

Love,

Nancy, Janet, Mark, Heath and Brent.

The family would like to extend a big thank you to all of the staff at 5B North and the Palliative Care Unit for your amazing care of Bernie over the past 3 months.  We are also forever thankful for the above and beyond compassion and care given by his family physician, Dr. Robert Poirier.

Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424) with visiting on Tuesday, September 3 from 5pm-6pm (Immediate Family), 6pm-8pm (All) and again on Wednesday, September 4 from 2pm-8pm (All). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from Holy Redeemer Parish, 316 Somerset Street, Saint John on Thursday, September 5 at 12:00pm.  Interment will take place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

For those who wish, remembrances may be made to Pathways to Education (www.pathwaystoeducation.ca/pathways-saint-john).

www.BrenansFH.com