James Donald ‘Nookie’ Bernard

Breaux Bridge - A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 21, 2018, at Pellerin Funeral Home in Breaux Bridge for James Donald “Nookie” Bernard, who passed away on Friday, July 13, 2018, his 92nd birthday.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at the funeral home from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday and continue on Saturday at 7 a.m. until 11 a.m.
A rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. on Friday.
Deacon Marcel “Butch” Hebert will officiate at the Funeral Service. Scriptures will be read by Amy C. Mouton and Hannah Bernard.
Interment will follow at St. Bernard Mausoleum - No. 2 in Breaux Bridge.
A veteran of World War II, Nookie honorably served his country in the United States Navy, where he served as a Quartermaster on the LST-823 during the war. After being honorably discharged from service, he contracted Polio. Despite the doctors’ predictions that he would never walk again, Nookie went on to live a full and active life as a beekeeper. Nookie, a 2nd generation beekeeper, bought his father’s bee business, Bernard’s Apiaries, in 1978 where he worked until his retirement on January 1, 1989.
Nookie was a loving and devoted husband to Cleo and a wonderful father to his five children; always making time to play with them, creating fond memories, and giving them opportunities to learn and explore all avenues of life. An avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing, Nookie passed on that same passion for the outdoors to his sons.
He was actively involved in the American Honey Producers Association, American Bee Breeders Association, and the Louisiana Beekeepers Association. Nookie was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Woodmen of the World.
He is survived by his children, Connie B. Comeaux and husband, Gene of New Iberia, Sandra B. Dugas and husband, Greg of Lafayette, Steve Bernard and wife, Jeanise of Breaux Bridge, Dr. T. Jeffrey Bernard and wife, Diane of Shreveport, and Peter C. Bernard and wife Michelle, of Houston, Texas; his grandchildren, Amy C. Mouton and husband Ryan of Lafayette, Beau J. Comeaux and wife, Heather of Youngsville, Phillip, Hannah, and Elliott Bernard, all of Breaux Bridge, and Jacob D. Bernard of Shreveport; his great grandchildren, Annaclaire C. Zerangue of Lafayette, Carter T. Mouton of Lafayette, and Cort J. and Ella C. Comeaux of Youngsville; and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Cleonelle Frances Castille Bernard; his parents, Thomas Louis Bernard and Edna Mae Champagne Bernard; his sisters, Elaine B. St. Germain, Dorothy “Dot” Bernard, and Marjorie B. “Connie” Domingue; and his brother, Lowell T. “Sonny” Bernard.
Pallbearers will be Steve J. Bernard, Dr. Thomas Jeffrey Bernard, Peter C. Bernard, Phillip J. Bernard, Jacob D. Bernard, Beau J. Comeaux, and Elliott G. Bernard.
Pellerin Funeral Home of Breaux Bridge is in charge of arrangements.
To view on-line obituary, sign guestbook and view video tribute, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com.