Catherine Bernard

Catherine (Cummiskey) Bernard, 87, of Avon and formerly of East Hartford, loving wife of 51 years of the late Charles R. Bernard, peacefully entered into eternal life on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at Avon Health Center. Born in Hartford on November 23, 1935, a daughter of the late Leo P. and Rose Ann (Vasseur) Cummiskey, she had been a resident of East Hartford for over 58 years. Catherine was a graduate of Hartford Public High School, class of 1953. Prior to her retirement, she was employed for many years by the town of East Hartford Social Services Department and previously was a Para Professional for the East Hartford Board of Education. A devout Catholic, she was a longtime faithful communicant of St. Christopher Church, East Hartford where she was a member of their Retires Social Club. Catherine loved going camping, square dancing, traveling, and playing “bunco” and “setback” card games. Most of all she was very family oriented who was a proud and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Catherine is survived by a daughter, Cynthia Hamilton and her husband David of Granby; two sons, Charles R. Bernard, Jr. and his wife Gloria of Live Oaks, FL, Christopher R. Bernard and his wife Linda of Manchester; a son-in-law, Lucien Gendron of Tempe, AZ; nine cherished grandchildren, Joshua Pierce, Ruth Pierce, Raynold Bernard, Christopher Gendron, Andrew Gendron, Alexander Bernard and his wife Kaiti, Matthew Bernard, Daniel Bernard, and Cody Landry; two adored great-granddaughters, Lennon and Ariella; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Besides her beloved husband and parents, Catherine was predeceased by a daughter, Catherine Gendron of Tempe, AZ; a daughter-in-law, Viola Bernard; two brothers and sisters-in-law, John and Kathleen Cummiskey of East Hartford, Robert and Gaye Cummiskey of Bristol; and a grandson, William Landry, Jr. of Colchester.

Funeral service will be Saturday (December 2, 2023) with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 am at St. Christopher Church of St. Edmund Campion Parish, 538 Brewer Street, East Hartford. Burial will follow at Silver Lane Cemetery, East Hartford. The family has asked that everyone please go directly to the church on Saturday morning. Catherine’s family will receive relatives and friends on Friday (December 1, 2023) from 4 – 7 pm at the D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Memorial contributions in Catherine’s name, may be made to a favorite charity of the donor’s choice. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopoeh.com