Bernard F. Sweeney passed away at home surrounded by his family on September 7, 2017 at the age of 80.
He was born on December 31st 1936 to Catherine and Brian Sweeney in Brooklyn New York.
In 1959 he married his beloved wife Elaine and together they raised two daughters. They were blessed with seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
He began his high school mathematics teaching career at East Meadow High School on Long Island before moving to the Katonah Lewisboro School District in the late 1960s where he taught for over thirty years. He also served as the president of the teacher's association for over three decades. One of his former colleagues recently wrote, "Bernie was the engineer who helped construct the greatest teacher contract of all times. A contract that not only protected the rights of teachers, but by so doing, protected the rights and quality of teaching for the students and families we serve in the KLSD!!!" The association and all the members of the KLTA were very dear to Bernie and his time spent as President of the Teacher's Association was a highlight of his life.
Bernie served many years on the North Salem Planning Board.
He was a devout Catholic and a member of St Joseph's Church in Somers.
Bernie, together with his wife Elaine, traveled extensively first with their daughters through Europe and the United States in the late 60s and then to many places throughout Europe and Russia. He loved spending part of many summers in Chatham MA.
Besides his wife Elaine of 58 years Bernie leaves behind his two daughters Katharine and Carolee, his grandchildren Courtney (Dave), Rylie (Chris), Beck (Jennifer), Brandon, Lundyn, Quynn (Tyler), Devon, his three great grandchildren Margaux, Landon and Jenna, his three brothers Thomas (June), Daniel (Suzanne), John (Carol), his brothers and sisters in law James (Marny), Charles (Fiona), Denis (Judy), Albert, Patrick (Vera), Irene (Arthur) many dear nieces and nephews and many lifelong friends that he cherished dearly.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday, September 11, 2017 11:30 am at St Joseph's Church, Somers. Family and friends may call at the Beecher Funeral Home, 1 Putnam Avenue, Brewster on Sunday September 10, 2017 from 4 to 8pm. www.Beecherfuneralhome.com