Richard P. Berner

By Orleans Hub Posted 15 October 2019 at 1:34 pm

Richard Berner

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Richard P. “Dick” Berner, 70, of Gasport, died tragically from a tree cutting accident at his home on Mon., Oct. 14, 2019.

He was a lifelong resident of Gasport and a 1967 graduate of Royalton-Hartland Central School. He joined the Army National Guard in 1969 and served for 27 years, retiring with an honorable discharge as a Sergeant First Class. He worked full time for the Department of Defense, Army National Guard, as a maintenance technician/supervisor at both the Lockport and Connection Street armories. In 1985, Richard was selected to attend Reforger training in Germany and was on state active duty several times throughout his military career. At the time of his passing, he was employed as a shuttle driver by Mike Smith Buick GMAC, Inc., Lockport.

Richard was a volunteer member of the American Red Cross, participating in several relief efforts in the aftermaths of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, among others.

He was a member of First English Lutheran Church, Lockport. He served terms on the church council, was an usher, and served on the Church Property Committee.

Richard loved nature, hiking in the woods, and vegetable and herb gardening, and he canned and froze his own produce.

He is survived by of his wife, Rhonda (Rosenthal); children, Jessica Berner (Jim) Heideman and Aaron (Jennifer) Berner; grandchildren, Jacob and Owen Berner, Jay and Gavin Heideman; his wife’s sister-in-law, Linda (late Ronald) Rosenthal; nephews, Timothy and Johnathon Rosenthal; nieces, Sara (Mark) Moore, Colleen Rosenthal and Kimberly (Craig) Oliver; three great-nieces and four great-nephews.

There will be no calling hours. Richard’s funeral service will be held Thu., Oct. 17 at 11 a.m. at First English Lutheran Church, 185 Locust St., Lockport NY 14094. Interment will be in Royalton Mountain Ridge Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First English Lutheran Church, or to a charity of one’s choice.

Richard’s arrangements have been entrusted to Sherrie Bream Funeral Home, Gasport, N.Y. To share a special memory of Richard, please visit www.mitchellfamilyfuneralhomes.com.