Bernard Louis Yanity

BERNARD LOUIS YANITY

Bernard Louis Yanity’s journey on this earth, an odyssey that interlaced 10 decades, ended suddenly on September 2, 2023, just one week shy of his 90th birthday. He was born on September 8, 1933, in the small township of Sykesville, PA. Bernard has ascended to the place between this earth and the universe beyond, known by many names and by countless religions, known to Bernard only as heaven, home eternal to his beloved parents Nicholas and Ann Yanity, brother Thomas and sister Delores, united for eternity. Long lives are special, and Bernie’s (as he was known to his friends), was no different.

Born in the coal mining community of western Pennsylvania was by any account a rough start. Luckily by fate, rare opportunity, and the willingness to improve their lot in life, his family moved to western New York, a mere stone’s throw from the majestic Niagara Falls. It was there in the cold shadows of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario that Bernie, youngest son of Nicholas and Ann Yanity, would spend his early childhood, eventually leading to his graduation from North Tonawonda High School.

A life that spans 10 decades, by its own essence, is a mosaic of wonder, intrigue, success, failures, and unique experiences. Bernie’s life held all the treasures and hardships of an unmade movie but will be remembered as a classic for those of his family and closest friends. His ‘self-proclaimed’ greatest achievement was the birth of his surviving children, Kevin Bernard Yanity, Shavawn Diane Carlson (Yanity), Michael Thomas Yanity, and Sue Ann Straughan (Yanity). Equally as loved and cherished were Bernie’s many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and his four children’s spouses Dinah Kreinhop Yanity, JR Carlson, Fran Freeland Yanity and Darrin Straughan. Bernie would often reflect on how blessed a life he had regarding his entire lineage having never endured tragedy, sickness or death.

Bernie worked diligently most of his young, teenage life and high school years to help support his family. Growing up post World War II and with the lingering effects of the Great Depression, engrained in all the parents of that generation, you learned to work hard, prepare for the worst and hope for a better future. This was the normal mantra for the first-generation immigrant families, as were Bernie’s parents, his mother from Czechoslovakia and his father from Italy. Bernie’s strong work ethic (worked in bowling alleys, shoveled snow, shoveled coal, worked in paper mills and landscaping), non-judgmental attitude and ability to adapt were all skills honed by his mother. Later in life, Bernie would state that his mother was his greatest confidante, protector, and unrelenting supporter. He often lamented how much he missed and loved her.

Bernie’s willingness to start on a different path was evident as he bolted three days prior to his high school graduation to join the United States Air Force at the tender age of 17 - his diploma mailed to his parents three days later. His career in the Air Force spanned 21 years, crisscrossed the United States, and provided many insights into the countries of England, Korea, and the Philippine Islands. He was stationed in England, after completing basic training, an experience that proved to be more intense because of his self-admitted homesickness coupled with the fact he was 17 and totally alone. However, he soon made friends and impressed his superior officers, not only with his work ethic but his overall aptitude to various tasks administered to him.

One of his proudest moments in the Air Force was being promoted to being Staff Sargent at the age of 19, the youngest in all of England. Among the wild-eyed excitement of experiencing a brand-new culture and lifestyle, England would also produce Bernie’s wife of 25 years. Johanna Hayes Yanity, born in Cork, Ireland, would become the mother of Bernie’s four children. Bernie would often give credit to the Air Force for his training and discipline that would carry over into his future civilian career in hospital administration. Among Bernie’s many achievements was a Letter of Commendation from the Korean Air Force who he has worked with in their program of hospital reformation. Many superior officers, in every tour of Bernie’s duties, reflected in their work reviews of his remarkable work ethic, adaptability, willingness to get the job done and strong leadership skills. During his tour in the Philippines, at the apex of the Vietnam War, Bernie and his staff would fly evacuations of wounded soldiers out of Vietnam back to Clark Air Force base to be stabilized at the hospital before going ‘stateside’. He often commented on ‘how hairy it would get in the belly of the C-130’s loaded with wounded while the pilots would dodge anti-aircraft flak from below.’

There were less stressful tours of duty in his service. He attributes his success in the Air Force and civilian career to his childhood lessons provided by his mother and father. Bernie was a lover of sports, especially baseball, and was extremely proud of the fact he was selected to the Air Force ‘All Star Fast Pitch Softball Team’ as their catcher. Bernie’s transition out of the Air Force was much like how he entered. The ink had not dried on his Honorable Discharge papers, within 2 days he was hired as Hospital Administrator in Castroville, Texas.

Bernie’s last tour of duty was at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He stated the hardest part of moving from military life to a profession in the private sector was being the one in charge versus taking orders. Bernie was well-received and liked by all who worked with him in Castroville and later at the hospital in Carrizo Springs, Texas. As he would often say, ‘I know how exactly how most of my employees feel because I have worked in every one of their positions during my career.’ Bernie was non-judgmental, empathetic, fair-minded, and extremely loyal, traits learned perhaps but innate in the Yanity legacy.

Bernie’s love for the outdoors and sports led to an opportunity when the politics of hospital life was over. He bought into the Golf Pro and Superintendent job at a little 9-hole golf course in Hondo, Texas – again, another fearless jump into the unknown but with the confidence of a person who was not afraid to fail. Of all the jobs, positions, and tours of duty, this venture proved to be the happiest days of his life. Countless friendships were made and endured. His ability to laugh at himself, his quick wit and natural business savvy made this venture succeed far beyond monetary measures. It created a culture of close friends, a bonding within the community and a sense of ‘family’.

Bernie unfortunately, outlived most of his closest friends. However, there were many other younger people who knew and loved him almost as a family tradition. Bernie will live on through the countless memories generated by his good nature, his love of a good card game, golf tournament, reunions and most importantly the family that he raised. Remember, he often said, ‘you only have one family name, don’t screw it up’. Like all who grow older, regrets and burdens of the past begin to manifest. However, Bernard Louis Yanity’s longevity only amplified his appreciation of family, friends, and their accomplishments. Bernie lived a long and non-judgmental life - having a vast reflective existence, with the wisdom to know unforeseen hardship and circumstance dwell in all of us.