Bernie K. Day: 1944 – 2016 | Obituary

Bernie Day 71, a resident of Friday Harbor for 26 years, passed unexpectedly on July 3, 2016 during a five-week cruise to Desolation Sound and the Broughton Islands, British Columbia, Canada. She was born in Walsenburg, Colo. on Aug. 28, 1944. The daughter of Julia and Charles John Simansky. Bernie grew up in Erie and Westminster Colorado and graduated from Westminster High School in Colorado. Following high school, she started a career in various administration roles at several technology companies and later as a senior administrator at Western Electric and AT&T Bell Laboratories. In New Jersey, she started a technology value-added reseller (VAR) company D&D CompuTech, Inc. and enjoyed its rise in the AT&T VAR program ranks.

By Cali Bagby • July 23, 2016 4:30 am
Bernie K. Day: 1944 – 2016 | Obituary

Bernie Day 71, a resident of Friday Harbor for 26 years, passed unexpectedly on July 3, 2016 during a five-week cruise to Desolation Sound and the Broughton Islands, British Columbia, Canada. She was born in Walsenburg, Colo. on Aug. 28, 1944. The daughter of Julia and Charles John Simansky. Bernie grew up in Erie and Westminster Colorado and graduated from Westminster High School in Colorado. Following high school, she started a career in various administration roles at several technology companies and later as a senior administrator at Western Electric and AT&T Bell Laboratories. In New Jersey, she started a technology value-added reseller (VAR) company D&D CompuTech, Inc. and enjoyed its rise in the AT&T VAR program ranks.

Bernie met Fred Day in Denver, Colorado and they were united in marriage in Las Vegas, Nev. She always smiled that their marriage was a uniting of the mountains and oceans. After leaving Denver, Bernie, Fred and their children moved to New Jersey to support Fred in a master’s program opportunity at Stevens Institute of Technology and continue Bernie’s career path at AT&T Bell Laboratories as an executive administrator. Bernie enjoyed the Jersey Shore and its offering of sports, nearby skiing, boat ocean cruising, biking, fishing and many other amenities. After 17 years in the Jersey Shore and travelling the Northwest, Bernie and Fred experienced the quaintness, lovingness and charm of Friday Harbor and decide to pick up roots and move to San Juan Island, Wash.

Over the years in Friday Harbor; Bernie enjoyed traveling the world, golfing on the island and off, hiking, boating, fishing and crabbing. For the last five summers, Bernie, Fred and their dogs, Sunday and Payday, have explored and enjoyed the nature beauty, wildlife and people residing in the British Columbia Inland Passage and its many islands. She thoroughly enjoyed the Ranger Tug cruising community and its many events.

Bernie was preceded in death by her parents, son John Day and brother Donald Simansky. She is survived by her husband Fred, sister Margie Jordon, son Fred, daughters Laura and Renne, seven grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016 at 2 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church, Friday Harbor, Wash.; officiated by Dr. Joe Bettridge.

Memorials may be made to The Friday Harbor Animal Protection Society, 111 Shelter Road, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands. Graveside services will be held at a later date for family. To share memories of Bernie, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.