William A. Bernardo

October 31, 1927 - January 16, 2019

Albany-William A. Bernardo, of Albany, NY, passed away in Nassau, The Bahamas, on January 16, 2019, at the age of 91 years. Born on the lower east side of New York City to the late Leon and Belisa Bernardo, he was the youngest of 8 children. He grew up in the Bronx, and Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, and served in the US Army in France, Germany, and Austria during the years 1946-47. Following military service, he came to the Capital District where he lived the rest of his life. He received an Associates Degree from Albany Business College while attending night school there and starring on the basketball team. In 1953, he went to work for NY Life Insurance. Bill was a co-founder of the Bernardo - Goldstein & Quinn Agency, bail bonds and insurance, in 1962. The family business remained an important part of his life, and he continued to serve as an advisor to his sons and grandsons. He was inducted into the PBUS (Professional Bail Agents of US) and NY State Bailbond Association Halls of Fame. He also started 3 travel agencies, East Greenbush Travel, TraveLand and TraveLand II, which operated for almost 20 years. Bill was a board member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, and served as a judge for the Albany Tulip Queen Festival for many years. He was a charter member of the Albany Patroon Basketball Team Board of Directors. He served on the Town of North Greenbush planning board for over 30 years as well. Bill served as a high school football and basketball referee for over 30 years, and was elected to the Capital District Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. In addition to basketball, Bill loved playing softball and golf. He also enjoyed traveling, but most of all, he enjoyed spending quality time around the dinner table with his family. Bill was predeceased by his parents; brothers Ralph, Joe, Sam, Marty, and Marsh; and sister Columbia (Pauline). He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Betty Jane Bernardo; children Mike (Darly) Bernardo of Newberry, SC, Jane (Jeff) Sandwick, of Spanish Wells, the Bahamas, and Jay (Karis) Bernardo, Lisa (Tom) Carter, and Rick (Mary Jo) Bernardo, all of the Capital District; grandchildren Jason, Jessica, Jordan, Stephen, Nate (Sidney), Nick (Kirsten), Hannah, Brett, Grace, Garrett, Bekah (Michael), Jake, Leah, Tori, Claire, Emma, Amy, Caleb, Seth, Caden; loving sister Ann Newcomer of Torrance, CA; and a very close cousin, Matt Mataraso, of Guilderland, NY. The family wishes to thank the healthcare staff who worked diligently with Bill during the past year. In lieu of flowers, the family requests those wishing to make memorials in his honor may do so to: Capital City Rescue Mission, capitalcityrescuemission.org, 259 S Pearl St, Albany, NY, 12202; and Schenectady City Mission, citymission.com, PO Box 760, Schenectady, NY, 12301. Calling hours will be Friday, January 18, 2019 from 4 - 8pm, and Celebration of Life Service on Saturday, January 19 2019 at 1pm at Grace Fellowship Church, 20 Delatour Rd, Latham, NY. Gravesite burial at Memory Gardens in Colonie will be held Monday, January 21, 2019 at 12:00 pm To leave a message for the family, light a virtual candle, obtain directions or view other helpful services please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com