Arnold “Arnie” Henry Bernard

Arnold “Arnie” Henry Bernard, 79, of Wilmington, passed away surrounded by family on Friday, February 9, following a brief illness.

Arnie was born on June 17, 1944, to Doris (LaRock) and Benjamin Bernard, on the kitchen table of the family home on Ray Hill Road in Wilmington. He graduated as a Wilmington High School Warrior in 1963 and enlisted in the Coast Guard, where he served as a boatswain mate for four years off the coast of New Hampshire and Maine.

After completing his service Arnie returned to Wilmington, where he semi-scandalously wooed his wife Linda, the love of his life, whom he married in 1967.

Arnie lived many lives. His entrepreneurial spirit was notable, and his children have (mostly) fond memories of helping him bundle scrap wood for his “Mr. Kindling” business, pick blackberries and chokecherries for homemade jam sold to local inns, split wood and collect evergreen branches and pinecones for holiday wreaths.

His love of spending time in the woods made logging a job for which he was well-suited, and his strength and tenacious nature were widely known, earning him the nickname “Tiger of the Woods.”     Arnie was a talented woodsman whose performances in many Deerfield Valley Farmers’ Day Fair arm wrestling and lumberjack competitions were legendary, winning him the overall title as well many individual events.

Arnie would later pursue a career in law enforcement, first with the Windham County Sheriff’s Department and later as a sergeant with the Wilmington Police Department, before being promoted to chief. He was dedicated to his oath to protect and serve, including through foot patrols of the village, and was known by many community members as “one of the last good cops.” He told numerous stories of his time in law enforcement. Arnie also served a brief stint as a town selectman, quickly realized that politics were not for him, and continued to serve the community in many other ways. He was a member of the American Legion and took pride in participating in Memorial Day parades and services.

Never one to sit still, Arnie enjoyed numerous hobbies and interests. He was an avid outdoorsman, hunter and target shooting enthusiast who spent many gratifying hours out in the woods with friends and family. His children recall many hours spent outside with him learning valuable skills and an appreciation for nature. He was a talented gardener and loved ice fishing, motorcycles, country music, karate, NASCAR, watching his children and grandchildren’s athletic endeavors and good conversation with friends and family. He was also a dog lover and cared for many faithful companions who brought him great joy over the years. He was known for being a good listener and offering sound advice, as well as for his generosity and open, friendly nature. You could always count on being greeted with a wave and a smile from Arnie when you passed him around town.

In addition to his family and his service, Arnie was proud of building and managing a successful business for decades. Arnie’s Quality Home Service oversaw the property management needs of numerous clients, many of whom would go on to become family friends.

Arnie was also a man of great faith, devoted to improving his relationship with God and to becoming a better person for his family and his community.

He is survived by his wife Linda (Brooks) Bernard; sons Darren Bernard (Dawn Nieters), Kevin Bernard and Brian Bernard (Briana Carroll); and daughter Stephanie Bartlett (Justin Bartlett); and grandchildren Morrow Bernard, Max Bernard, Zackary Mercier and Nicholas Bartlett.

Calling hours will be from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, February 23 at Covey, Allen & Shea Funeral Home, 44 E. Main Street in Wilmington, with service on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Wilmington Fire Department, 40 Beaver Street Wilmington VT. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Arnie’s memory be made to the Windham County Humane Society (P.O. Box 397 Brattleboro, VT 05302) or Wilmington’s Veterans Memorial Park (Checks should be made out to the Town of Wilmington Veterans Memorial Fund and mailed to PO Box 217 Wilmington, VT 05363).