Obituary for Bernard Frederick "Bernie" Shami
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Bernard “Bernie” Shami in Sudbury on June 9, 2023, at the age of 72. Bernie was predeceased by his parents Fred and Rolande Shami and his sister Karen Bradley. He is survived by his heartbroken siblings Jeanne Shami (Ken Mitchell), Bob Shami (Anne-Marie), and Laurie Stewart (Tom Corbett).
Bernie was the much-loved uncle to Andrew and Julia Mitchell (Joel Beres), Nathan Shami (Danielle), and Helen Stewart (Tyler Caudle). He was great-uncle to Kyra Mitchell and was looking forward to meeting a new great-niece in September. They will miss his wisdom, his humour, and his ability to connect with them on many levels. Bernie was also cousin to an extended family too numerous to count.
Bernie completed his degree in Organic Chemistry at Laurentian University in 1976 and took a position at Laurentian as a Lab Instructor where he worked until he retired in 2012. Bernie always had time for his students, many of whom became his lifelong friends. If the number of signed thank-you cards is any indication, he was appreciated for his patience, his ability to explain difficult concepts, and above all his humour and humanity.
Bernie was more than a teacher, though. He loved the outdoors: hunting, fishing and being in nature (particularly at the Shami camp at Havilland Bay). He was an excellent photographer, loved to crochet, and was a meticulous carpenter. He was also an insatiable reader, always learning new things, something that made him a formidable Trivial Pursuit partner. He loved his music and we loved to hear him sing and play guitar, especially around a campfire. His sense of humour was second to none. Till the very last moment, even during his final illness, he was making people laugh. A visit with Bernie was always a joy.
Bernie had a big heart, a beautiful soul, and is already sorely missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and students. He has touched so many lives, and the impact he has made on so many is inestimable. We can’t say it better than our cousin François: “Bernie was easy-going, easy to love, but not easy to forget.” He was one of a kind and his passing pierces us keenly.
Thank you to Health Sciences North Tower 8th Floor Staff for the excellent care given to Bernie. As Bernie said, you were all “keepers” and “good ones”.
Friends and family are invited to visit O’Sullivan Funeral Home (215 St. James Street, SSM) on Sunday, June 18, 2023, from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will take place at Precious Blood Cathedral (778 Queen Street E, SSM) on Monday, June 19, 2023, at 10:00 am with Father Hamish Currie officiating. Interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Please wear your best casual clothes!
Memorial donations in memory of Bernie may be made to the Sudbury Blue Door Soup Kitchen (https://bluedoorsoup.ca/ or by cheque) or a Soup Kitchen in your community.
Bernie was the much-loved uncle to Andrew and Julia Mitchell (Joel Beres), Nathan Shami (Danielle), and Helen Stewart (Tyler Caudle). He was great-uncle to Kyra Mitchell and was looking forward to meeting a new great-niece in September. They will miss his wisdom, his humour, and his ability to connect with them on many levels. Bernie was also cousin to an extended family too numerous to count.
Bernie completed his degree in Organic Chemistry at Laurentian University in 1976 and took a position at Laurentian as a Lab Instructor where he worked until he retired in 2012. Bernie always had time for his students, many of whom became his lifelong friends. If the number of signed thank-you cards is any indication, he was appreciated for his patience, his ability to explain difficult concepts, and above all his humour and humanity.
Bernie was more than a teacher, though. He loved the outdoors: hunting, fishing and being in nature (particularly at the Shami camp at Havilland Bay). He was an excellent photographer, loved to crochet, and was a meticulous carpenter. He was also an insatiable reader, always learning new things, something that made him a formidable Trivial Pursuit partner. He loved his music and we loved to hear him sing and play guitar, especially around a campfire. His sense of humour was second to none. Till the very last moment, even during his final illness, he was making people laugh. A visit with Bernie was always a joy.
Bernie had a big heart, a beautiful soul, and is already sorely missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and students. He has touched so many lives, and the impact he has made on so many is inestimable. We can’t say it better than our cousin François: “Bernie was easy-going, easy to love, but not easy to forget.” He was one of a kind and his passing pierces us keenly.
Thank you to Health Sciences North Tower 8th Floor Staff for the excellent care given to Bernie. As Bernie said, you were all “keepers” and “good ones”.
Friends and family are invited to visit O’Sullivan Funeral Home (215 St. James Street, SSM) on Sunday, June 18, 2023, from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will take place at Precious Blood Cathedral (778 Queen Street E, SSM) on Monday, June 19, 2023, at 10:00 am with Father Hamish Currie officiating. Interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Please wear your best casual clothes!
Memorial donations in memory of Bernie may be made to the Sudbury Blue Door Soup Kitchen (https://bluedoorsoup.ca/ or by cheque) or a Soup Kitchen in your community.