JOHN BERNARDI

At age 7, he lost his father in a coal mining accident, an event that would change him forever. He once shared how he and his two older siblings would wear newspaper underneath their sweaters during cold winter school days to stay warm. This would hide the newspaper and in turn shield them from the cruelty of being teased.

John joined the U.S. Navy on June 10, 1948. He played football for The Flyers and won Golden Glove Eastern Championship of boxing, Madison Square Garden, 1951. It was during this time he formed a friendship with George Hade, of Trumansburg, New York, which would endure for 77 years. John often said his days in the U.S. Navy were some of the happiest of his life. The bonds of friendship formed there were unbreakable and filled with joy.

John’s boxing coaches encouraged him to fight professionally, but he wanted to go to college. He worked hard to earn scholarships to Mississippi State, University of Tampa, and Florida State, where he would play twice as a walk-on. He would ultimately earn his Bachelor of Science in Geology from Florida State University.

John would accept his first job as a geologist in oil exploration in the jungles of Columbia, South America. He was known to the locals as Mata gente, meaning killer of men, because of the brute force he used mentally and physically in his every endeavor.

It was in Bogata that he would marry the love of his life, Virginia Wilson, of Jacksonville, Florida. The two would return to the states where he would further his work in oil exploration in New Orleans. It was there John would be among the first geologists to work on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. It was also there that he would survive a hurricane and a helicopter crash.

John exemplified courage, integrity, and devotion. He twice saved the lives of men when onlookers refused to help. He became the legs for a disabled friend at the University of Tampa, carrying him up flights of stairs to lunch together.

John was fluent in three languages, was passionate about fitness, running, weight lifting, and a great meal. He was a lover of animals, Mario Lanza, and singing in Italian in the shower.

He and Virginia loved the Atlantic Ocean and spent many a stormy day letting themselves be taken by the current down the Jacksonville coastline, only to walk back in the sand and return to the surf to do it all over again!

Poppi found his greatest joy in the company of the lights of his life, great grandsons, Grady and Barrett McClow. He glowed with pride during their numerous boxing “clinics” and pool parties. He saw in them the qualities he knew would carry them into bright and promising futures.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Bernardi, his mother and father, brother Lewis Bernardi, and sister, Rena Bernardi and beloved pets: Ravick, Gabriel, Arco, and Daisy.

John is survived by daughters, Mary Bernardi and Becky Bernardi (Bob Bernard), Granddaughter, Sara Gunn McClow (Jon McClow), and Great grandsons, Grady McClow, and Barrett McClow, Grandson, Luke Bernard (Victoria) and Great grandson, Rowan Bernard.

The family would like to express our sincere gratitude for the out pouring of love and devotion in caring for John from Debra Waskom, Mark Philips, Anna Hall, Hope and JR Hutchison, Raymond Roy, Dave Nearing, and Jonathan Weber. They each realized what a privilege it was to be in his presence. There are no words to convey our love to you all.

A Mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Williston, Florida on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 11:30 am. Father Anthony Hamaty and Father Augustine will officiate. A procession will follow the Mass to the Bernardi residence in Williston and Military Honors by the American Legion Post 236 will be present to honor the life of John Peter Bernardi.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Jacksonville Humane Society or Wounded Warriors.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Knauff Funeral Home Williston.