James Bernardy

James Bernardy, 96, died in El Macero on March 5, 2025. Curious and compassionate, he was a champion for public education and a friend to all. He was devoted to his family and community.

He was born in Menomonee, Michigan on Christmas Eve in 1928, the fourth child of Nicholas and Rosana Bernardy, owners of the general store in the tiny town of Walsh outside of Marinette, Wisconsin. Inspired by a high school teacher, he left for the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater to study education. There he met and married Beverly Grogan and enjoyed a loving marriage until her death on March 5, 2020.

After one year in the army, at the invitation of his oldest sister Kathryn, he moved to California and began to work as a teacher and principal in West Sacramento. He studied for a master’s degree at Sacramento State University, where his thesis analyzed the advisability of unifying the West Sacramento Elementary School District with the Washington Unified School District. When his recommendation was adopted, he left West Sacramento and took a job as superintendent of schools in Winters. In Winters, he hired many teachers and oversaw the construction of the Shirley Rominger Intermediate School as well as a new high school library. In 1980, he moved to Lake Arrowhead to work as school superintendent. In order to address a need for additional facilities due to rapid student growth, he implemented an innovative year-round schedule which became a model for many districts in California.

Upon retirement he moved to El Macero and became active with the Yolo County Food Bank and was a faithful member of St. James, where he assisted the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He enjoyed seven beloved grandchildren, maintained a beautiful garden full of fruit trees, and traveled to nearly every continent in the world with his wife Beverly.

He was a great reader of history and geography. Indeed, he was fascinated with maps and landscapes. “Where are you from?” invariably lead to an intricate discussion of cities, rivers, mountain ranges, country roads and people.

He made friends wherever he went and maintained them throughout his long life. All who crossed paths with him were respected and benefitted from his lively curiosity and his convivial and caring nature. UCD students helped in his garden and so enjoyed their time with him they stayed year after year and maintained their friendship with him long after leaving Davis. Sitting on his front porch with his dog Peaches, he would greet passersby who would stop to chat. In time, his front porch became a popular gathering place. The friendship and kind support of these treasured friends is greatly appreciated.

He is survived by his children Keith Bernardy, Rosanne Bernardy (Tom Finn) and Peggy Bernardy; his seven grandchildren, Nikki Abercrombie, Diego Rivas, Claire Finn, Vanessa Rivas-Bernardy, Evan Bernardy, Ellen Finn and Jason Bernardy; and two great-grandchildren, twins Sophie and James. He was preceded in death by his daughter Connie Roths and wife Beverly Bernardy.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday March 19 at St. James Church, 1275 B St., with reception to follow off-site.