To place an Orlando Sentinel obituary, visit this form. You can also search for previous obituaries here.
ORANGE
James “Jimmy” Bernhardt James “Jimmy” Bernhardt passed away peacefully on Friday, June 21, 2019, at the age of 63. He was surrounded by his family and friends. Jimmy was born on March 26, 1956 in New York to the late Abraham and Martha Bernhardt. He is survived by his loving wife, Catherine; three devoted sons, Jake (29 yrs.), Jesse (28 yrs.), Jared (21 yrs.) and sister, Lois. Jimmy was predeceased by his parents and infant daughter, Michaela Alexa Bernhardt. Jimmy was a lifelong coach, mentor and teacher of young athletes. His career is filled with accomplishments on both the lacrosse and football fields as a player, mentor and coach. He started his career as an outstanding student and star athlete at Long Beach High School and went on to finish his collegiate career playing football and lacrosse at Hofstra University. At an early age, Jimmy was guided to a career in coaching by three of his own coaches and mentors; Jim Fiore, Tom Russo and Tony Piazza. Fiore, Russo and Piazza shaped a path for Jimmy that led to his coaching career, a career that has positively impacted thousands of lives. From Fiore, Russo and Piazza Jimmy learned fundamental lessons that he carried with him throughout his life: Do things the right way and don’t take shortcuts. Jimmy’s three word teaching mantra was “Pride, Poise, Commitment.” Jimmy’s commitment to integrity throughout his life set him apart from many in his chosen professional field. He coached at the junior high and high school levels in both New York State and Florida with star pupil Scottie Graham heading the list of numerous college scholarship recipients. Scottie went on to a professional football career and has noted that Jimmy was his “guiding light.” Jimmy coached at Hofstra, Brown, Central Florida, and Penn State Universities where he taught and mentored the likes of Bill O’Brien and Kevin Smith. O’Brien went on to a stellar collegiate playing career and started his coaching career as a graduate assistant under the tutelage of Jimmy. O’Brien hired Jimmy at Penn State University and has credited Jimmy with being “instrumental in helping to resurrect the Penn State Football program after a horrible scandal.” O’Brien went on to state that Jimmy was a “great teacher.” When O’Brien became the head coach of the Houston Texans, he hired Jimmy as his “right hand man” and Director of Football Research to help guide and direct that NFL franchise. Two years after hiring Jimmy the franchise became a playoff contender. Jimmy’s legacy has been shaped through his unending commitment to ethical values in athletics and his devotion to detail oriented teaching. His dry sense of humor was one of his most endearing traits and his quips are often quoted by friends and family. Jimmy was a coach’s coach. He was tough on his players and demanded excellence from each of them matching the player’s abilities. Jimmy made no excuses for his performance as an athlete or coach, and expected the same from those he coached and mentored. He is a member of a fraternity of coaches who have dedicated their lives to teaching young athletes strong values, focused discipline and respect for the game they play. Jimmy’s work is imprinted on, and his presence will be fondly remembered by, friends, students, family and others throughout the country. Jimmy’s passion was teaching and coaching but his life was dedicated to his wife Catherine and their three boys—Jake, Jesse and Jared. Jimmy taught, fathered and raised his sons with a thundering velvet hand. Jake (2008-13), Jesse (2009-13) and Jared (2016-present) were each scholarship lacrosse student-athletes at the University of Maryland. Under the watchful eyes and caring lessons of Jimmy, the three brothers have accomplished unprecedented athletic achievements. As Jared continues his outstanding All-American lacrosse career at Maryland, Jake and Jesse, both members of the 2018 USA Gold Medal Lacrosse Team, continue to play at the professional level and have begun their own coaching careers at the University of Vermont and the University of Maryland, respectively. The three boys credit Jimmy with guiding and leading them to their full potential. The brothers are Jimmy’s living legacy. Services will be held at two sites. On Thursday June 27th at Baldwin- Fairchild Funeral Home, 90 Weathersfield Ave in Altamonte Springs, FL with Visitation from 5-7 p.m. and Speakers and Tribute from 7-9 p.m. The second service will be held on Monday, July 1st at Jordan’s Funeral Home in Island Park, NY, with Visitation from 4-7 p.m. and Speakers and Tribute from 7-8 p.m. Online Obituary, Guestbook and Tribute Video are available at www.BaldwinFairchildWestAltamonte.com.
SEMINOLE
John Dwyer Meehan Meehan, John Dwyer, 81, of Casselberry, FL, passed away Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Vitas Hospice, surrounded by family. John was born in Newark, NJ, on April 10 1938, to Catherine (Kate) Dwyer Meehan, a homemaker, and John Augustine Meehan, a police officer. He has been a long time resident of Casselberry and Nokomis, Florida. John was a 1955 graduate of St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, NJ. He professed simple vows as a Benedictine Monk for Newark Abbey, then St. Mary’s Abbey, Newark, NJ. He was a 1960 graduate of St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN with a BA in Philosophy. He continued his education and priestly journey, attending and being ordained as a Roman Catholic Priest in 1964 from St. Mary’s School of Theology in Morristown, NJ. He further continued his studies, attending Columbia University, attaining his MA in Voice and Conducting in 1968 while teaching theology and music at St. Benedict’s from 1964-1967. He was Inner City Coordinator for Newark Abbey and Associate Pastor at St Mary’s Abbey Church in Newark from 1969-1971. After several years serving as a Benedictine Monk, John joined and was incardinated into the Diocese of Orlando, Florida, beginning in 1971. He served at St. Charles Cathedral, Orlando, FL until 1976. He decided to return to school and attain his JD in 1980 from Nova University Center for The Study of Law in Fort Lauderdale, FL. John owned his own law practice in Orlando, FL for over 25 years, handling cases in Family Law, Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI, Estate Planning, General Trial Practice, civil and criminal practice at the federal and state level; juvenile dependency; corporate and business law; and administrative hearings. He had several professional affiliations, including the Florida Bar Association, American Bar Association, Orange County Bar Association, Central Florida Criminal Defense Attorneys Association, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, National Association of Social Workers, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, Academy of Certified Social Workers, Board Certified Diplomat in Clinical Social Work and the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.John enjoyed traveling, whether it be the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, Costa Rica, South America, Europe or across the United States to visit his family members and numerous friends. He loved to be in New York City where he enjoyed many Broadway Shows and wandered the streets, taking in the sights and enjoying the people. While spending time in Nokomis, he loved walking the beach and swimming in the Gulf waters. John will be remembered for his love of family and friends, his sense of humor and his raucous laugh. He had a way of making every individual he spoke with feel important and always had their best interest in mind.He is survived by his cousins, James Meehan, Nora and Ron Gottschlich, Bill and Denise Meehan, Michael and Beth Meehan, Margaret (Meg) Taylor (Deceased), her husband, John Taylor, Florence Patricia Matis (Deceased), her husband, John W. Matis and children, Valerie, Theresa and Steven, and Eileen Lewis and family. He also leaves behind his cousin’s children, Sarah, Tommy, Megan, Kimberly, Colin, Connor, Kathleen, Oliver, and Julia Grace, as well as a host of other family and close friends. Visitation will be 4PM to 8PM on Thursday, June 27, 2019 at Banfield Funeral Home, 420 W. State Rd. 434, Winter Springs, FL. Visitation will continue the next morning, Friday June 28, from 12:30PM to 1:30PM at St. Stephens Catholic Community, 575 Tuskawilla Rd. Winter Springs, FL with a Mass of Christian Burial offered at 1:30PM. Burial will be private. At the request of the family, no flowers are to be sent. In memory of John, please consider contributions to the Benedictine Monks of Newark Abbey and/or the education community of St. Benedicts Prep School, 520 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., Newark, NJ 07102 (973-792-5744 or sbp.org) in recognition of Dr. Glenn Cassidy and in honor of Abbott Martin J. Burne. For online condolences, please visit www.banfieldfuneralhome.com.
OTHER AREAS
Louise Dertod Nona Louise (Weezie) Dertod, 83 passed away peacefully with family by her side, Thursday, June 20, 2019. She was born in Winter Park, Florida September 3, 1935.Louise was a passionate Christian and devoted her life in serving the Lord. Louise was a member of Kress Memorial Seventh Day Adventist Church in Winter Park, Fl. Louise retired from the Florida Hospital in 2008 at the age of 73. Her career with Florida hospital was from 1974 – 2008 totally 34 years. She is survived by her nieces, Tracy Cook (Danny) of Havana, Fl., Kathy Boehler (Dan) of Denver, Co., Pam O’Connell of Casper, Wy., Karrie Lynn Rodgers of Dry Ridge, Ky.Her nephews, Scott Zimmerman of Casper, Wo., and Steve Zimmerman (Mary) of Rapid City, SD. 12 Great Nieces and Nephews and 18 Great Great Nieces and Nephews.As you can see, Weezie was blessed and well loved by many. She was preceded in death by her father Ennis Moore, her mother Nona Moore, her sister Dorothy Phillips, her brother Earl Moore, her nephews Rick Holland and Mike Holland.A grave side service will be held at Glenn Haven Cemetery in Winter Park, Fl. Thursday, June 27, 2019 at 10:30 in the morning. Faith Funeral Home is in charge of Arrangements. Www.faithfuneralhome.com or 850.539.4300.In Lieu of flowers, please consider the following:Alzheimer’s Association, 2180 W. State Road 434, Longwood FL. 32779
