Many of you will remember Dave Bernath, fellow BCHS 1962 graduate, former Marine.. I am sad to inform you that Dave died last week in Tallahassee, Florida. His obituary is copied below, and I have marked him for our "In Memory" section of our class website (http://www.1962bogie.com). Please feel free to share your memories of Dave there, if desired, or express them directly to family members.

David John Bernath, 70, passed away on February 23, 2014, surrounded by family in the beautiful home that he himself built. Born August 25, 1943 in Plainfield, NJ to Julius and Barbara Ann Bernath, he moved as a young teenager to St. Petersburg, Florida and graduated in 1962 from Boca Ciega High School. He immediately joined the U. S. Marines and served honorably until September 16, 1966. He was a Vietnam War veteran.

Dave then became self-employed and developed a successful concrete business in St. Petersburg, always insisting on working alongside his employees. He is remembered for his strong work ethic and commitment to bringing a job in on time. After moving to Tallahassee, following a short semi-retirement, he established Dave Bernath's Repairs and Remodeling and later became a certified Pella Fella. An accomplished carpenter and furniture-maker, Dave built several houses, including three at various times for his family.

An avid fisherman and gardener, he traveled extensively with family and with Tallahassee Good Sams Camping Club. His religious preference was United Methodist. Dave is survived by his wife Carolyn Campbell Bernath; brother Daniel Bernath (Jackie) of Fort Myers; sister Barbara Verhage (John) of Milan, PA; daughter Bonnie Bernath Traynor (Phil) of St. Petersburg; other children Daniel Jeffrey Bernath (Amanda), Denise Jeanine Bernath, and Clayton Jay Bernath, and their mother, Nancy Averitt Bernath, of Tallahassee; and step-daughter Shannon Smith Sigler (Todd) of Tallahassee. Survivors also include grandchildren Alyssa Lauren Bernath, Dylan Kolby Bernath, Ethan Daniel Bernath, Abigail Hannah Traynor, and Savannah Roxanne Sigler.

Dave is especially remembered as a proud and loving father and adoring grandfather. Also survived by nieces and nephews, Dave was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother Derwent Bernath and sister-in-law Teresa Bernath. The family expresses deep appreciation to Dr. Marie Amanze and her staff, many caring staff members at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, and the staffs of Hopewell Home Health Care and Big Bend Hospice. They ask that, in lieu of flowers, donations in Dave's memory be made to North Florida Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Camp Scholarships, 2221 Old Bainbridge Road, Tallahassee, FL 32303 or Tallahassee-Leon Community Animal Service Center, 1125 Easterwood Drive, Tallahassee, FL, 32311.

Services will be held at Culley's Meadowwood Funeral Home, Riggins Road Chapel, Thursday, with a visitation from2-3 pm preceding the funeral service at 3 pm.