On December 9, 2019 Bernie bid farewell to a life filled with love and laughter. He was predeceased by his parents Leona (Morin) and Melvin Becker, his sister and brother in law Diane and Les (Knowles), their daughter Lori (Knowles) and his other brother in law Rick (Cyr). Bernie was a devoted and generous husband to Margaret for 50 beautiful years, a loving father to Craig (Sylvie Riesbeck) and Jennifer (Gerry Beitel), and the very proud grandfather of their children Sarah Becker and Matthew Kai Beitel.

He was cherished by his sister Sharon (William Nadeau) and by his many Nelson in-laws: Bob and Betty, Gerry and Rose, Larry and Barb, and Ardith and Ron Molson. As well, the Jonas family, Hedy (Alan Gutman), Steve Jonas (Renee) and Vera Jonas-Nelson will remember him fondly.

Bernie was special to several communities: his extended family of cousins, nephews and nieces, Resurrection of our Lord parish, his long time Elmvale Acres neighborhood, the many students who were inspired by him over the years at Brookfield, Hillcrest, and Rideau High Schools, and the Perley and Rideau Veterans Health Centre where he regaled others with his special sense of humor and saw his own artistic talent take flight.

As per his request, there has been a private family Christian burial and interment.