Westering home and a song in the air
Light in the eye and it’s goodbye to care
Bernard Daniel O’Doherty of Ireland and Endicott, NY, died on May 23rd, 2021, survived by his wife Julie Mundt, his sons Kevin and Brian, a collection of much-cherished family and friends, and two comfort kitties.
Bernie was a camera whisperer, music maker, 11th-hour poet, and creator of many magical memories for a whole bunch of lucky children. He loved surprising people with whatever might delight them: The Wiggly Way and Wiggly House, novelty flashlights, personalized piano compositions, and culinary treats (always artistically presented). Most of all he gave his attention and his love.
He leaves behind numerous contributions to the family lexicon (rambunxination, obnoxed, Frassenfresser, kerplunkt, entwazzled, schnozwangled, arse tartles, j’agree, and his unique use of flummoxed), lots of crumbs from all the times he “[didn’t] need a plate,” and exactly one joke:
What’s the difference between an Irish wedding and an Irish wake? There’s one less drunk at the wake.
Some of Bernie and Julie’s favorite people who had to hear that joke…a lot…are the ones they would most like to thank: Dr. Keith Nichols, a veritable prince among men; Dr. Kathleen McGinley, Colleen, Sarah, and the whole Broome Urology team; Dr. George Varsos and the entire Lourdes Radiology team; Dr. Jonathan Kloss and Kathryn Wilczewski, NP, of Broome Oncology; Dr. Jerome Mikloucich, Dr. Alan DeMaine, Megan Peters, and Beth Paramore of Lourdes Palliative Medicine; and every sweet person at Lourdes, too numerous to name, who cared for Bernie with warmth and kindness over the years. Their diligence and compassion made a depressing situation infinitely more bearable.
So many people showed up for Bernie when he needed it most. His siblings Eamonn, Cahir, Muredach, Brenda, and Fergal traversed oceans and continents to visit him, sang him songs through WhatsApp, emailed and texted, and called from the other side of the world. Cousin Rosa and husband Richard video chatted and kept a candle burning for him every day in Donegal. And Bernie’s beloved Kevin brought him the gift of peace and a rescue dog named Bessie, drawing out of Bernie the last real smiles that would light up his whole face.
The final part of this journey went way too fast but left an unpayable debt of gratitude for the heroes who eased Bernie’s last weeks and days. Bernie so much appreciated Tristyn, Aubrey, Sarah, and everyone who came to help at home from Lourdes Hospice and all the earth angels who were there for him (and Julie) round the clock the six days before his death. If you can’t arrange to die with the poets at the Villa Cimbrone in Ravello, Italy, the second-best choice must surely be at Mercy House of the Southern Tier in Endicott, NY.
Julie and Bernie would love it if, in lieu of flowers, people would donate any amount at all to this miraculous place: https://mercyhousesoutherntier.com/
A private celebration of Bernie’s life will be arranged at the family’s convenience.
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