William Jesse Bernard, 87, of North Branford, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 9, 2013 at his home. He was the beloved husband of 56 years to the late Joan Sussman Bernard who passed in 2007. William was born in Mt. Vernon, New York on November 15, 1925; son of the late Henry and Anne Fuchs Bernard; served his country faithfully in the U.S. Navy during WW II and attended Purdue University. William was the owner of M&G Wines and Liquors in Manhattan from early 1950’s to 1971; owned The Indoor Gardener in Coral Gables Florida from 1973 to 1988; then worked at Yale University from 1990 until his retirement in 1999. Father of Andrew Bernard of Charlotte, North Carolina; Christopher Bernard of Woodbridge and Lisa Torres of Guilford. Grandfather of David Bernard of Litchfield; Matthew Bernard of Bloomfield, Anna Torres and Jason Torres of Guilford. Brother of Frank Bernard of Radnor, PA and Peter Bernard of Old Saybrook.
Funeral services will be conducted in the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, North Haven Tuesday morning August 13th at 11:00 with his son Cantor Andrew Bernard officiating. Interment will follow in Northford Cemetery. There will be no visiting hours.