BERNIER, Robert Lee (Bob)

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ May 17, 1995, p. 2 Robert “Bob” Lee Bernier of Wickenburg died May 10 in Phoenix. He was 53. Mr. Bernier was born February 7, 1942 in Muskegon, Michigan. He had lived in Arizona for the past eight years, coming to Wickenburg from Texas. Mr. Bernier was known in the community for his enthusiastic portrayal of Santa Claus each Christmas season. At age 19, he began bringing cheer to the holiday season with his realistic look of Santa Claus. He was widely known as “Wickenburg’s Santa.”Mr. Bernier was well-known for visiting the schools in his Santa clothes during the Christmas seasons. He also visited residents’ homes, and many children believed him to be the real Santa Claus. Mr. Bernier worked as a chef for 30 years, 25 of those in his own restaurants, the Whistle Stop, The Lakeview and The Pits, all in Texas. Most recently he worked as a chef at the Gold Nugget restaurant in Wickenburg. Mr. Bernier and his friend Gene Mitchell also repaired appliances as a hobby. He loved gardening and was very proud of his grapes. Mr. Bernier was generous with his produce and would never sell it, rather he would put it out on his porch and invite passers-by and friends to help themselves. He also loved children, and during the summer he would get out an ice machine he owned and make slushies for children, sometimes as many as 30 at one time. Mr. Bernier was a lifetime member of the Wickenburg Elks Lodge and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints. Survivors include his wife of 26 years, Carolyne of Wickenburg; daughters Laura Bernier of Texas and Charlien Ogden of Yuma; sons Robert Bernier of California, Richard Bernier of North Carolina and Jimmy Bernier of Wickenburg; mother Eva Bernier of California; sister Norma Jean Bernier of New Mexico; brothers Norman and Willard Bernier, both of California; several grandchildren; and his extended family, including Hoss and Mary Baldwin of Wickenburg, Chris and Melissa Cherry of Wickenburg, Cathy and Russ Tharp of Wickenburg, Veronica Bertolo of Ohio, Lori and Donald Norby of Wickenburg, David Beall of Texas, Shane Chaves of Wickenburg, and Mary Ellen and clay Bryant of North Carolina. Services will be held at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday, May 17) at the LDS Church in Wickenburg. Bishop Max Colgrove will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Bernier’s name to the American Cancer Society, Arizona Division Inc., Wickenburg Unit, P.O. Box 1975, Wickenburg, AZ 85358, or the American Heart Association, Arizona Affiliate, P. O. Box 7038, Phoenix, AZ 85011. Frey Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Wickenburg was in charge of all arrangements.