In his youth, Harold enjoyed baseball and worked hard on his paper route. He had fond memories of his grandmother and getting sweats and Italian bread on the North side of Syracuse. At Liverpool High School he played football and loved socializing. He attended Onondaga Community College and Loyola University in Bolder Colorado, where he was an international exchange student in Italy, and also traveled to places like Greece and Egypt. This travel ignited his love of World cultures and cuisines. Harold was known for his pride in his Italian heritage and his love of singing throughout his life.
He eventually returned to Liverpool High School, as a teacher for 32 years. He taught math in the early years, and ended as a long tenured global studies and History teacher. He always maintained great relationships with his former students and teaching peers.
An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, arboriculture, observing wildlife, cross country skiing, and landscaping. In 2004, he and his daughter built their family residence on the shore of Lake Ontario, and this home became the location of countless family memories, and his hard work ensured that it would live on for his Grandson.
Hal was an incredible friend to many people in his lifetime, he was the type of person that was always willing to be the friend that you needed whenever you needed him. He was blessed to enjoy his retirement years doing all the things he loved, with the people he enjoyed being with. Especially the many years he spent wintering in Florida, where he was frequently found biking, swimming, and shelling.
In 1981, his life was forever changed the day his daughter came into his life. He was often telling people that Rosa Bella was his pride and joy, that pride matched only by the amazing bond that he shared with his grandson Rocco. In his later years of life, you could find him with his daughter, son-in-law Don and Rocco, going on adventures and making the most of life. His family protected and cared for him through the toughest moments of his illness, but will remember that he was always positive and kind through any struggle.
Harold is predeceased by his parents Harold and Carmela Bernardi and his brother-in-law John Ryan. He is survived by his daughter Rosa, son-in-law Don, grandson Rocco Eraldo, sister Catherine Ryan, brother Roy (Alice) Bernardi, and sister Rosa (George) Maxwell. He was a fun and loving Uncle to his nieces and nephews Elaine, Jeffrey, John Patrick, Harold, Angela, Dante and Bianca.
Harold preferred to be remembered with positive memories, so a celebration of life will be held this Spring in his honor. His family would like to make a special thank you to his incredible home care support team and the Rochester Hospice care team.
Allanson-Glanville-Tappan Funeral Home Phoenix, NY had care of Hal’s arrangements.
