Obituary of Bernard J. Warkentin

Bernard J. Warkentin, age 99, died Wednesday, November 28, 2018. Bernard was born in Flushing, NY and had resided in Saugerties, NY before moving to Oakland and most recently to Wayne, NJ.

 

At age 17, Bernard began his career as a printer when he joined his father, August, at Charles Francis Press; he continued to work there until the company moved out of New York. At age 50, Bernard transferred to Thomas Publishing and worked there until he retired. He was a proud supporter of the Printers Union and served as Shop Steward for many years.

 

Bernard was a Navy Veteran having served his country during War World II. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion. 

 

Bernard was extremely gifted musically and could play a variety of string instruments by ear; he frequently entertained family and friends by playing the guitar, banjo and mandolin. Often, his wife, Marian, would sing along and delight the audience with her beautiful vocals. 

 

Bernard and Marian were married very young and raised their 3 children in Brooklyn and then Queens, New York. They both worked hard to buy their dream retirement house in Upstate New York. Bernard and Marian loved their little home by the river in the country.  When Marian became terminally ill, Bernard chose to care for her at their home for several years until she passed at age 65. 

 

After Marian passed, Bernard spent his time between his home in Saugerties and at his youngest daughter, Gloria’s home in Oakland, New Jersey. They shared an extremely close bond and he found purpose in helping Gloria with her four children. Bernard moved closer to Gloria in his older years and she has lovingly cared for him until he passed.

 

Bernard is survived by his loving children; Bernard T. Warkentin of Manhattan, NY, Jean E. Fine of Hope, ME, and Gloria A. Fornaci of Oakland, NJ. Also surviving are his nine grandchildren; Ellen, Christopher, Michael, Jeanette, Theodore, Gregory, Leigh, Vera and Anna and his seven great grandchildren; Eddie, Evan, Julian, Justin, Hayley, Jaxon and Kathryn.

 

Bernard was predeceased by his parents, August and Mary Warkentin, his brothers; Paul and William Warkentin and his son-in-law, Michael Fornaci.

 

At the request of the family, all services for Bernard are private. Arrangements are being handled by the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, www.vpfh.com, 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481.

 

As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations in Bernard’s memory may be made to The Arc of Bergen and Passaic Counties, NJ, Community Choices Program. To donate online go tohttps://arcbergenpassaicorg.presencehost.net/ or call (201) 343-0322, 2225 or by check payable to The Arc of Bergen and Passaic Counties, 223 Moore Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601, ATTN: Development Department. Please include “Community Choices Program” in the memo of the check.