Known to all as “Bernie”, and to his adoring grandchildren and great grandchildren as “Papa” – Bernard Douglas Deuchars died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on the afternoon of May 8th, after a short illness.
Bernie attended Malvern Collegiate Institute in the Beach neighborhood, later graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto. He had a rewarding career, finishing as a senior engineer at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center. In retirement, Bernie volunteered for 25 years, entertaining the residents of the Sunnybrook Veterans wing on the piano.
Bernie was deeply loved and will be remembered for his great love of puns; his love of the family Labrador retrievers, fishing at the lake, a good party, and a fine single malt. But most of all he will be remembered as the most kind, loyal, and devoted of husbands, fathers, grandfathers, and friends.
Bernie is survived by the love of his life and partner of sixty-eight rich and happy years, Marlene; Children Kathy (Nick), Steve (Cindy), and Gord (Beena); Grandchildren Alistair (Karlota), Douglas (Danyon), and Leah (Ryan); Graeme (Emily), Sean (Stephanie) and Connor (Kaiti); Emma-Kate (Toby), the late and much missed Devon; Great-grandchildren Hamish & Charlie, Jack & Owen, and Margot.
Bernie’s family are grateful for the exceptional care that he received from Dr. Shelly Dev and the entire team in the Sunnybrook Emergency and Intensive Care Units. They are also grateful to his family physician, Dr. Debbie Elman, and the Sunnybrook Family Health Team for their ongoing care. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Sunnybrook Hospital in Bernie’s memory.
A celebration of life is to be held at a future date.