William Bernard

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of William Francis Bernard of Ottawa on April 1, 2022, at the age of 21. William leaves behind his parents Natalie Bergin (Max Caron), Chris Bernard (Brigitte Gauthier), his loving brother Christopher (Jordan), his grandmothers Shirley Bergin and Joan Bernard (PEI), aunts and uncles Frank Bergin (Salyn), Dr. Jennifer Bergin (Bruno), Joanne Wilson (Wayne), Tim Bernard (Gerarda), his best fur friend Maggie, many cousins, extended family, and loyal friends whom he deeply cherished from high school. In addition, his friends from Algonquin College, The Ottawa Flying Club, and former teammates from the time played competitive hockey in Kanata. He also treasured the friends whom he met through his Veloster Ottawa Car Club; his car was his pride and joy. He was predeceased by his loving grandfathers Owen Bergin and George Bernard and his cousin Graeme Smith. All who knew William would attest to his kind soul, sense of humour, and his incredible joy for life. William was enrolled in the Algonquin College Aviation program. He obtained his personal pilot license and was looking forward to graduating with a commercial pilot license in May 2022 A special thank you to Peter Campbell, William’s first instructor who flew with him at the age of 13 and told us, “That kid was born to fly!” Thank you to Dr. Peter Boyles for his support and inspiration that he provided to William. William started his love of flying when he toured the Mediterranean on the Navigator of the Seas, touring Rome, Sicily, Athens, the island of Crete, and Ephesus, Kusadasi in Turkey. He then strategically planned a Caribbean cruise on the Oasis of the Seas at the age of 12 where he visited his favourite plane spotting location Maho Beach in St. Maarten. William and his brother shared the love of planes and created their own YouTube channel . He also enjoyed the Bahamas, St. Thomas and the Dominican Republic. He most recently travelled to Puerto Rico in October 2021 with his friends Anders and Kevin. He also travelled across Canada and had the pleasure of living in Prince Edward Island for a year.

Visitation will be held at the Tubman Funeral Homes Garden Chapel, 3440 Richmond Rd., Nepean (between Bayshore and Baseline Rd) on Sunday April 10, 2022 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Parish Fallowfield, 15 Steeple Hill Cres, Nepean on Monday April 11, 2022 at 11:30  AM. Interment Central United Church Cemetery, P.E.I.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the William F. Bernard Memorial Scholarship Fund at https://gofund.me/63808a5f would be appreciated.

When you look in the sky and see a small plane flying, think of our beloved William!