Bernard Theodore Cournoyer

HOLDEN - Bernard Theodore Cournoyer died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Friday, September 28, 2007 in UMass Memorial after a lengthy illness. The son of Hector M. and Leah J. (Berard) Cournoyer, he was born in Worcester on July 9, 1923.

After graduating from Boys Trade High School, Mr. Cournoyer joined the Armed Services. During World War II, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and was instrumental in releasing prisoners of a German concentration camp in the town of Salswedle. He was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for his meritorious achievement in ground combat.

In 1943, Bernard married Philomena Risi and built their house on Bullard Street. Mr. Cournoyer was an avid gardener, woodworker and designer. He worked for years at Pullman Standard with two brothers, his father and grandfather. Later he worked as Design Supervisor at Wright Line and was credited with seventeen patents for Wright Line. In addition to his wife of 64 years, Mr. Cournoyer leaves four children and their spouses, Joyce Dresser and her husband Thomas of Oak Bluffs, Marcia Marcoux and her husband Richard of Charlton, Nancy Kerr and her husband Bruce of Kennebunk, Maine and Paul Cournoyer and his wife Kym of Portland, Maine. He also leaves seven grandchildren, Jeremy Jones, Jennifer Jones-Smyth, Christopher Jones, Angela Marcoux, Lincoln Marcoux, Tyler Marcoux and Katharine Kerr, a great-granddaughter, Shealyn Heather Smyth; and three sisters, Permelia Henrickson, Loretta Ballotte and twin Bernice Faneuf. Four brothers, Alfred, Raphael, Leonard and Henry Cournoyer all predeceased him.

Mr. Cournoyer was a founding member of St George’s Catholic Church where he ran the coffee shop, rebuilt the church sign and was a member of the mens’ club. He was also a member of the Greendale Retired Mens’ Club.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday, October 1st, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. The funeral for Mr. Cournoyer will be held on Tuesday, October 2nd, from the funeral home with a Mass at 11 a.m. in St. George’s Church, 38 Brattle Street, Worcester. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, 217 Richards Avenue, Paxton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. George’s Church, Memorial Fund, 38 Brattle Street, Worcester, MA 01606.

Website & Guest book: www.milesfuneralhome.com