Joseph James (Jim) Bernard

ENGLEWOOD, Fla. – Joseph James (Jim) Bernard, 83, formerly of Rumford, Maine and a resident of Englewood, FL died peacefully on Sunday, July 11, 2021. He was born on June 9, 1938 in Rumford, Maine, a son of Dona and Odila (Bourgeois) Bernard. James attended Mexico, Maine schools and graduated from Mexico High School in 1956. He was a member of the National Honor Society, played center position on the football team and ran track.

Jim was employed for 42 years with Oxford, Ethyl, Boise Cascade, and Mead Corporation in Rumford, Maine and was a member of their 25 and 40 year clubs. He was a life-long member of the Elks Club and he served in the US Army. He was a communicant of St. Athanasius and St. John Catholic Church, Rumford. Throughout most of his life, Jim enjoyed hunting and fishing, and as a young man loved skiing on Black Mountain and snowmobiling with his friends and family. After retiring from Mead Corporation in 1998, Jim and his late wife, Donna enjoyed traveling and eventually spent their winters in Englewood, FL.

He is survived by his two daughters and their husbands, Lisa Saxton (Brian) of St. Joseph, MI and Michele Sanzari (Vincent) of Falmouth, ME and grandsons, Nicholas and Michael Sanzari both of Waltham, MA. Jim is also survived by 4 stepdaughters, Julie Drake (Sheila) of Auburn, ME, Jackie Thibeau (Bruce) of Fort Myers, FL, Jeri Fox (Glenda) of Key West, FL and Janel Jeselskis (Richard) of Key West, FL. He is also survived by Katelyn Mobeen (granddaughter) of Vallejo, CA, Tyler Thurston (grandson) of Naples, ME, Megan Vidovich (granddaughter) of Cudjoe Key, FL, Nicole Barrucci (granddaughter) of South Paris, ME. Great grandchildren include Brooklynn Robinson (great granddaughter) of South Paris, ME, Kobe Manson (great grandson) of Norway, ME, DeSean Robinson (great grandson) of Norway, ME, Jayceon Robinson (great grandson) of Norway, ME. Jim is also survived by his 2 siblings, Pauline LeFebvre of Bangor, ME and brother, William Bernard (Betty) of Farmington, ME.

James was predeceased by his wife Donna who he married on March 23, 1985 and his parents, Dona and Odila (June) Bernard. Online condolences may be shared with the family at http://www.meaderandson.com.

At James request a private Family Funeral Mass will be held. Arrangements are under the care of Meader & Son Funeral Home, 3 Franklin St. Rumford.