1923
Bernard
2016
Bernard G. Seiferling
August 17, 1923 — July 29, 2016
His life changed forever when, at the age of 14, Bernie met a girl named Ruth Melendy while picking blueberries. It was love at first sight: that afternoon he told a friend he had just met the girl he was going to marry. True to his word, they wed five years later. Their 68-year marriage in Bernie's words, "wasn't enough"
Another change occurred with the onset of World War II: A Corporal, Bernie served for two years in the European Theatre where he landed at Utah Beach soon after D-Day. Among the many stories he told, although he was ordered to remove his wedding band because glints from the gold could possibly draw attention from enemy troops, Bernie felt it was his only physical connection to Ruth and their baby daughter waiting at home for his return. So instead, he painted the ring to hide the gold and never removed it from his finger.
Once again a civilian, he signed on with Becton Dickinson, first in East Rutherford, NJ, then in Canton, Ohio, as the head of Labor Relations and Personnel for Wilson Rubber Company.
Bernie and Ruth raised three daughters and a son, all of whom he loved dearly. His affections extended to the many dogs and cats they adopted over the years, and to every baby and young child they ever encountered. Their veterinarian joked that he wanted to "come back" as one of their pets. To this day, his children all share the same affection for animals.
In the early 1970's, the couple moved to East Arlington, Vermont where the opened, The Village Peddler, a charming country store offering an array of ornaments, handmade jigsaw puzzles, toys, and woodcrafts: the latter were made by Bernie himself. Visitors to the shop were always met with Ruth's sweet smile and Bernie's jokes.
A talented craftsman, he delighted in building cradles, toy chests, desks, bureaus, jewelry boxes and other furniture for his children and grandchildren, always whistling while he worked. In truth, Bernie whistled wherever he went " it became his signature.
Possessed of a wonderful voice with the beautiful timber of an Irish tenor in tone and quality, Bernie especially enjoyed singing for family and friends; Danny Boy was everyone's favorite.
A dedicated member of the Arlington Lions Club, he emceed their Variety Shows for years, starring in comedy skits that always brought down the house.
Those were the days when the couple enjoyed riding their motorized scooters: grandkids and area residents got a kick out of watching the pair dart around " with helmets of course.
After selling The Village Peddler, they retired to Pawlet, Vermont where Bernie took great pleasure in using his riding mower to keep the sizeable lawn tidy. Then in 2004, Bernie and Ruth moved to Bennington, Vermont, where their sunroom afforded them a lovely view of Mt. Anthony. Calling it the house that most felt like their home, they filled it with portraits of their beloved children and grandchildren, plus more cats and dogs. There he built a sewing room for Ruth's many projects.
A voracious reader, Bernie was a good friend and loving brother, husband, father, and grandfather. The girl he met when he was just 14 became the woman with whom he built a beautiful life. When Ruth passed away in 2011, he was inconsolable.
The last two years of his life, Bernie spent at the Vermont Veterans' Home in Bennington, under the care of the staff he referred to as angels. Even at the very end of his life, he smiled as he heard the names of his wife, his children and grandchildren. Bernie was predeceased by brothers; Russell and Jack. He is survived by his sister --- Marge Garceau and husband Ken, and four children --- Beryl-Ruth Basher and husband Chet, Gayle Theiss, Randi Sellers and husband Rick, and Bryan Seiferling and wife Dale, as well as seven grandchildren " Ashley, Lindsey, Devon, Brenna, Lauren, Danielle and Denise and 5 great-grandchildren " Taylor, Riley, J.T. , Marley, and Abigayle.
He is in our hearts and memories forever, and will be missed.
Friends may call at the Mahar and Son Funeral Home, 628 Main St, Bennington on Wednesday evening, August 3 from 7-9PM.
A memorial service will be held at 5:00PM on Thursday afternoon, August 4, at the All Faiths Chapel at the Vermont Veterans' Home, 325 North Street, Bennington.
Interment will take place privately
Memorial contributions may be made to the Second Chance Animal Shelter. P.O.B. 620, Shaftsbury, Vermont 05262
Guestbook condolences may be made at www.maharandsonfuneralhome.net
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bernard G. Seiferling, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
First Visitation
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
7:00 - 9:00 pm (Eastern time)
E. P. Mahar and Son Funeral Home
Service Information
Thursday, August 4, 2016
Starts at 5:00 pm (Eastern time)
Vermont Veterans Home
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