DECEASED ALUM: CLIFFORD "CLIFF" BERNIER - FHHS CLASS OF 1977
From:
Elizabeth Imburg
For Year:
1977
Hi, Just wanted to let you know that Clifford Bernier passed away on May 23, 2025.
FROM THE INTERNET:
Clifford Bernier — Poet, Friend, Musician, Wonderful Human Being
(July 11, 1959-May 23, 2025)
Our Dear Friend, Poet, Musician, Cliff Bernier died Friday morning, May 23rd. We had the honor of featuring him at DiVerse in Februrary. He leaves 3 sons, his beautiful wife, Kyoko, and a rich legacy of work. Our community mourns and is grateful to have engaged with his kind heart, insightful mind, and creative soul. Rest in peace, dear Cliff.
We are sorry to hear of the passing of our author Clifford Bernier.
Clifford Bernier’s The Silent Art won the Gival Press Poetry Award. He is also the author of the chapbooks Dark Berries and Earth Suite. A member of the Washington Writers Collection, he lived with his family in Alexandria, Virginia. He passed away on May 23 after a battle with cancer.
I just heard of this, and am deeply sorry for his loss amidst a valiant (undoubtedly) battle with cancer. We were Dialogue partners in Mme. Nelson's class, and had a lotta fun putting them together. I enjoyed his sublime wit...but never got to hear him play harp (dammit). We shared the same birth date (but not the year). He was peaceable soul.
I remember Cliff as the Pele of soccer. He was athletic and very fluid on the field. His wit and jokes were always welcome and enjoyable. The last time I saw Cliff was when I ran into him down in Cape Hatteras. I was down there with Bill Banford and Cliff was chillin' on the beach just enjoying himself. Great guy and will be missed by all who knew him.
Having both grown up in Tauxemont, Cliff and I were good friends for over 60 years. He was an extraordinary person-- talented, funny, humble, and caring. I'd like to share one of his poems from his book "Wetlands" that resonates with me.
I Rise with the Birds
When light conjures song.
When cold calls my flock south.
When wind carries me over tempest and tremor, and troubles below look small.
William Tad Cole (1975)
I just heard of this, and am deeply sorry for his loss amidst a valiant (undoubtedly) battle with cancer. We were Dialogue partners in Mme. Nelson's class, and had a lotta fun putting them together. I enjoyed his sublime wit...but never got to hear him play harp (dammit). We shared the same birth date (but not the year). He was peaceable soul.
Edward Kosciuszko (1976)
I remember Cliff as the Pele of soccer. He was athletic and very fluid on the field. His wit and jokes were always welcome and enjoyable. The last time I saw Cliff was when I ran into him down in Cape Hatteras. I was down there with Bill Banford and Cliff was chillin' on the beach just enjoying himself. Great guy and will be missed by all who knew him.
Ed Kosciuszko, Florida Bum
John Dixon Smith (-Sreen) (1977)
Having both grown up in Tauxemont, Cliff and I were good friends for over 60 years. He was an extraordinary person-- talented, funny, humble, and caring. I'd like to share one of his poems from his book "Wetlands" that resonates with me.
I Rise with the Birds
When light conjures song.
When cold calls my flock south.
When wind carries me over tempest and tremor, and troubles below look small.
When night falls and I spiral down.
I rise with the birds.
Keep on rising, my friend. Keep on rising.