Richard P. Berner

Obituary of Richard P. Berner Gasport, NY: Richard P. (Dick) Berner, September 19 1949 – October 14 2019, age 70, died tragically from a tree cutting accident at his home on Monday, October 14, 2019. He was a lifelong resident of Gasport, a 1967 Graduate of Royalton Hartland Central School. He joined the Army National Guard in 1969 and served for 27 years, retiring with a Honorable Discharge as Sergeant First Class. He worked full time for the Department of Defense Army National Guard as a maintenance technician/ supervisor at both the Lockport and Connection Street Armories. In 1985, Richard was selected to attend Re-forger Training in Germany and was on State active duty several times throughout his military career. At the time of his passing he was employed as a shuttle driver by Mike Smith Buick GMAC, Inc. Lockport. Richard had been a volunteer member of the American Red Cross participating in several relief efforts in including hurricane Katrina and Rita among others. He was a member of First English Lutheran Church, Lockport and had served terms on the church council, was an usher, and also had served on the Church Property Committee. Richard loved nature, hiking in the woods, and vegetable and herb gardening of which he did his own canning and freezing of the produce. He is survived by of his wife Rhonda (Rosenthal); children Jessica Berner (Jim) Heideman; Aaron (Jennifer) Berner and grandchildren Jacob and Owen Berner; Jay and Gavin Heideman, by his wife’s Sister-in-law Linda Rosenthal (late Ronald); nephews Timothy and Johnathon Rosenthal, nieces Sara (Mark) Moore, Colleen Rosenthal, Kimberly (Craig) Oliver; 3 great nieces and 4 great nephews. There are no prior calling hours. Richard's funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 17th at 11:00am at the First English Lutheran Church 185 Locust St. Lockport, NY 14094. Interment will be held in Royalton Mountain Ridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers Memorials may be made to First English Lutheran Church 185 Locust Street, Lockport NY or a charity of one’s choice. Richard's arrangements have been entrusted to the Sherrie Bream Funeral Home 4521 Main St. Gasport, NY.