Page created by: Bridget Barrett

Bernie was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in his early 30s and lived with it for the rest of his life. He passed away on Friday, May 16th, following a serious accident at home.

Despite the challenges, Bernie led a full and meaningful life. He married, raised four children, and worked full-time as a Corrections Officer. During this time, he also earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.

Bernie’s Parkinson’s was not hereditary, and the cause of his diagnosis remained unknown to his family. He began his treatment at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. One of his early doctors later went on to work at The Michael J. Fox Foundation.

His family hopes that the continued research supported by the foundation will lead to better treatments—and ultimately a cure—for Parkinson’s disease, so that no other families have to endure the same struggle.