Paul Bernhard, musician with Buddy Rich and Frank Sinatra
Nov. 25, 1930—Nov. 7, 2009
His family is calling a simple birthday card Paul Bernhard’s last testament of love to his wife of 54 years.
Mr. Bernhard had just given his wife, Jean, her birthday card Saturday at their West Seneca home when he had a heart attack. He was taken to St. Joseph Hospital in Cheektowaga, where he died. He was 78.
Mrs. Bernhard held the card and its sentimental wishes— some of them underlined by her husband for emphasis—into the night.
“It was his last testament of love,” said his daughter Karen Cashmore. “When we looked at it, we couldn’t believe it.”
Mr. Bernhard, a musician, played clarinet and saxophone with swing bands, including the Buddy Rich Band in the 1950s and bands accompanying Mel Torme and Frank Sinatra.
A Buffalo native, he was accepted into the Eastman School of Music but had to decline due to the unexpected death of his father.
He served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War and was selected to serve in the Army Band in 1952-1953. A highlight was playing in President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s inaugural parade.
In the 1970s, Mr. Bernhard’s life and music changed focus to Christian music. He played for WDCX Sunday Night Sings and recorded his own album, “I’ll Tell the World.”
He often played with town bands in West Seneca, Tonawanda and Lancaster and with the Shriners.
A ham radio operator, he was a lifelong member of the Amateur Radio Relay League. He was director of the Northern New York NAVY MARS(Military Affiliate Radio System), helping connect soldiers to their families with messages during wartime. He set up an award-winning authentic NAVY MARS operator station at the Buffalo&Erie Naval and Military Park.
An electrician and member of Local 41, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, for 60 years, he used his teaching degree from Buffalo State College to teach in vocational programs at BOCES and with the union’s apprenticeship program. His ability to do electrical work at any height gave him the opportunity to be a “climber” on many of downtown’s high-rise buildings and television towers during the 1960s.
Mr. Bernhard also obtained his pilot’s license and flew single- engine planes.
In addition to his wife, the former Jean Fry, he is survived by three daughters, Mary Tyx, Karen Cashmore and Lisa Tamol, and two sons, Paul Jr. and Steven.
Services will be at 10 a. m. Wednesday in Hoy Funeral Home, 3855 Seneca St., West Seneca.
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