Bernie was born to Italian immigrants Attilio Sementilli and Mary Molinari (Malone) in Elmira, NY on March 26, 1928. He proudly served in the Navy in World War II. Just after the war, Bernie met his beloved wife, Marilyn Joyce Alden, who had moved to Elmira from Michigan and was working as a waitress. It was love at first sight. Bernie and Marilyn married on June 18, 1949 and went on to raise nine children together. Together, with their children, they moved to Michigan in 1960, and to Florida in 1982. Their love story lasted 59 years, until Marilyn joined the Lord in heaven on August 8, 2008. Bernie never got over losing his "Cava Ruche" (red head). However, he knew that God had a plan, so he bravely carried on with living each day to the fullest surrounded by family and friends. Bernie loved his Lord and exemplified this love in his relationships. He did not care where he was or what he was doing as long as he had his children or grandchildren by his side. If you were a part of Bernie’s life, he would always make sure you knew how much he loved you.
Bernie was a true Renaissance man and was self-taught. Early in his marriage, Bernie founded and owned a Water Conditioning business. He also had a long career with Michigan Life Insurance Company before finishing his working years at Prudential Life Insurance and Investments. His charming personality made him very successful. He loved to read and expand his vocabulary. His children remarked that their dad could often be found sitting and listening to Shakespeare on his turntable when they were growing up. An artistic man, he was known for his beautiful drawings, sketches, singing, and love of woodworking. It was a tradition in the Sementelli family that each newborn would be given a handmade wooden cradle. With 9 children and 59 grandchildren, this was no easy feat. Bernie would work on these cradles on his patio in Palm Beach Gardens well into his 80’s.
Everyone adored Bernie. He was recently given the title of “Mr. Congeniality” by residents and staff at Courtyard Gardens Assisted Living Facility, where he spent his last few years. Since 2019, you could find Bernie either walking the halls of Courtyard Gardens singing a song from the 1940s or reading a book in the facility’s library. Countless residents have told the family how much they loved him, that they will miss his unforgettable smile, genuine heart, kindness, and jovial spirit that never failed to brighten their days.
Bernie is survived by his children, Deborah Cherry and her husband Charlie of Greenbush Michigan, Nick Sementelli and his wife Beth of Jupiter Florida, Rene Kesonen of Palm Beach Gardens Florida, Lynne Sitko and her husband Gary of Nokomis Florida, John Sementelli and his wife Allison of Port Saint Lucie Florida, Dominic Sementelli and his wife Kathy of Chelmsford Massachusetts, Tony Sementelli and his wife Kim of Stuart Florida, 59 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, his brother Sam Leonard, and sisters Mary Jo Semler and Marguerite Wert. In addition to his wife, Marilyn Joyce Alden Sementelli, Bernie was predeceased by his son Glenn Sementelli, daughter Rhonda Jackura, son-in-law Risto Kesonen, and brother Joe Sementilli.
The patriarch and anchor of the Sementelli family, Bernie will be forever missed and the memories he created will always be cherished. We love you “a bushel and a peck.”
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