Bernard "Bernie" McCole's Obituary
Bernard “Bernie” McCole peacefully went home to be with our Lord and Savior, Thursday, June 3, surrounded by his wife of 68 years and family. It was the final chapter in Bernie’s nearly 4-year heroic fight against brain cancer, in which he exceeded medical prognosis through his faith, courage, positive attitude, and being constantly surrounded by friends and family who encouraged and supported him along every step of his journey.
Bernie was born on October 19, 1932, in Bayonne, New Jersey to Frances and Neil McCole. The youngest son of Irish immigrants, Bernie spent less than two years in the United States before relocating to Donegal, Ireland, with his mother, Frances, and brother, Michael, to be with family after the early passing of his father when he was less than two years old.
Bernie spent nearly his entire childhood with his mother and aunts and uncles in Ireland, helping the family tend to their farmland and livestock, and fishing the coast – living a simple but beautiful life while growing up in the Emerald Isle. This is where Bernie grew his appreciation for the beautiful land of Ireland, Irish culture, and being able to enjoy the simpler things – something that he carried with him throughout his entire life.
When he was 14 years old, after World War II, he returned to the United States to continue his schooling with hopes of attending medical school to become a dentist after graduating high school. But before that dream could become a reality, duty called and he enrolled with the United States Air Force as a result of the Korean War. This is when he would meet the love of his life, Iva Jean Penny, and they were married in December of 1952. At the age of 20, Bernie and his lifelong friend, William “Bill” Menard, met sisters Iva Jean Penny and Margarurite Penny, and the rest was fate. They both ended up marrying the Penny sisters and living a life that was closely intertwined for more than six decades.
In the Air Force, Bernie served in the Korean War then eventually worked as a part of the communications crew on Air Force One under the Nixon Administration, where he had the opportunity to meet the president under which he served. His career in the Air Force brought him to many places around the U.S., including Roswell, New Mexico, before ending up in South Florida living near Homestead Air Force base, home to the 482nd Fighter Wing, an F-16 unit providing fighter operations. This is where Bernie would call home for a number of decades and raise his five children (Mary “Mimi” Frances, Kevin Patrick, Teresa “Teri” Lynn, Brenda Jean, and Keith Bernard) with his devoted wife Iva Jean.
After Bernie’s retirement from the Air Force, he spent 32 years – nearly his entire civilian career – working for Southern Bell (now known as AT&T) as a part of its communications engineering team, serving as a highly respected leader in the field. After 32 years, he would retire and move with Iva Jean north to Hawthorne, Florida, to live out their dream of retiring on a peaceful lake surrounded by wilderness and wildlife. Bill and Margarurite also retired on the same lake, and the two families would live as next-door neighbors for the following three decades. Unable to sit idle in his retirement, Bernie would work odd jobs helping others tend to their properties, doing electrical work, communications engineering for the Alachua County School Board, and helping with testing at the UF College of Dentistry – in addition to working or “piddling,” as he would say, around his yard, always working on projects to improve the property, something in which he took great pride. Riley Lake was Bernie’s favorite place and up until his last moments, he continued to admire its beauty and would never tire from taking in the views.
Bernie was a devoted husband, father, grandfather (affectionately called “Papa”), and best friend to all he met. Married to Iva Jean for nearly 70 years, throughout their life, the two enjoyed the simple things, such as family vacations on the water, boating, camping, and spending time with their children and loved ones. Bernie was known to make lifelong friends wherever he went and was a strong support system for family and loved ones throughout his life. He was known to always keep a positive attitude, had an infectious smile and laugh, the funniest jokes, and knew the honor of keeping his word and being a trustworthy friend and sounding board to anyone who entrusted in him. Bernie served as the patriarch of his large family, including all five children, 11 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren throughout his life.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father (Frances and Neil McCole), brother (Michael McCole), granddaughter (Genevieve Nicole Stroud), and lifelong friend (Bill Menard), and is survived by his devoted wife (Iva Jean), five children (Mimi, Kevin, Teri, Brenda, and Keith), ten grandchildren (Shawn, Heather, Todd, Shannon, Matthew, Gerald, Brooke, Lauren, Amanda, and Kyle), and eight great-grandchildren (Autumn, Farrah, Natalie, Summer, Sailor, Eleanor, Kinzley, Kaiden, and Alaina).
The impact Bernie had on those who loved him is something that will be remembered forever. For each who loved him, they will take a piece of him wherever they go. He was a guiding light, a safe harbor, a friend and confidant, hardworking, patient, and loving – and above all, a life-long follower of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
As Bernie would say, “It’s not goodbye, it’s ‘see you later.’ Chip-chip cheerio, and I’ll see you when you get to Heaven.”
An Irish Blessing
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
May God be with you and bless you;
May you see your children’s children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.
May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.
A celebration of Bernie’s life will take place on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at 11 a.m. at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 7919 US-301, Hawthorne, FL.
In lieu of flowers, the family would ask for donations to Gainesville Haven Hospice, which helped serve Bernie and his family during his last chapter here on earth. Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Blvd., Gaiensville, FL 32606
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