Bernard T Asklar

Bernard “Bernie” Thomas Asklar September 18, 1943–February 7, 2017 Bernard “Bernie” Thomas Asklar, age 73, of Wesley Chapel, Florida died on February 7, 2017. Bernie was born in Steubenville, Ohio on September 18, 1943 to Andrew Michael Asklar and Ethel Dorothy (Hotary) Asklar. Bernie and his three sisters—Barbara, Bernadine, and Marianne—grew up in Weirton, West Virginia. He met Patricia J. (Martaus) Asklar in Weirton and shared 48 years of loving marriage and had two children Derek and Tricia, to whom he was the first and best role model of an honorable, loving man. While growing up, he served as an altar boy in St. Paul’s Catholic Church and enjoyed shooting his gun and jumping off the roof of his house. He graduated from Madonna High School in Weirton, West Virginia, and from the College of Steubenville (now Franciscan University). Bernie served as a Sergeant attached to the U.S. Army 5th Special Forces in Vietnam, as a military intelligence specialist. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service in Vietnam, among other honors. Upon return from service, after a short time as an insurance adjustor, he worked at GTE Data Services for 29 years. Over the years he made homes for his family in Erie, Pennsylvania; Tampa, Florida; and Fort Wayne, Indiana. His patient and stoic nature disguised an adventuresome spirit and a sometimes-impish sense of humor. He loved to read and inspired others to love books. Bernie had the habit of fixing broken things. He was handy with epoxy, duct tape, glue, screws, wires and other mending tools. Bernie was a doer, hands-on—he taught his children to work hard, to not give up, to take risks, and how to roll when they fell. Bernie is survived by his wife, Patricia J. (Martaus) Asklar of Wesley Chapel, his two children Derek (Pauline) and Tricia (Mandy), his sister Bernadine (Asklar) Riley (James), and his aunt Margaret Dziatkowicz. He also leaves behind five grandchildren: Brandon Asklar Richhart, Thomas Asklar Richhart, Auden Asklar Coles, Balin Asklar Coles, and Ellis Asklar Coles; numerous nieces and nephews, and many cousins. Bernie is predeceased by his father Andrew and mother Ethel, and his sisters Barbara (Asklar) Veltri and Marianne (Asklar) Fiedler. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations in Bernie’s memory be made to the American Heart Association or the James A. Haley Veteran’s Administration Hospital. blessing the boats, by Lucille Clifton, 1936 - 2010 (at St. Mary’s) may the tide that is entering even now the lip of our understanding carry you out beyond the face of fear may you kiss the wind then turn from it certain that it will love your back may you open your eyes to water water waving forever and may you in your innocence sail through this to that