Bernard L. Been

WEST BOYLSTON-Bernard L. Been, 86, of West Boylston died August 3rd.

He leaves his wife of 38 years, Mary (Uchtmann) Been; two sons, Edmond and his wife Jill Haynie of Encinitas, CA, and James and his wife Cheryl Mitcham of Framingham; a daughter, Mary Anne Seraphin and her husband, Vinod of Westford; three stepdaughters, Kelly Maynard of Grinnell, IA, Julie Easton and her husband, Greg of Danby, VT, and Christine Green and her husband, Charles of Fairhaven, MA; a sister, Ann Smrtic of Gloversville, NY; ten grandchildren, Audrey, Dylan, Madeline, Alex, Austin, Robert, Samuel, Lauren, Theo and Severin and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his first wife, Sharon (Cowles) Been and his brother Edmond. He was born in Gloversville, NY, son of Bernard L. and Helen (Duchesne) Been and graduated from Hudson Valley Community College with a degree in engineering. Bernard served proudly in the U.S. Navy. He lived many years in New York and Tennessee, finally settling in West Boylston in 1970.

Bernard worked in the loss control department for Hanover Insurance Company for 25 years, before retiring. He was a member and Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. He was a member of the Harold N. Keith American Legion Post %23204, the Auburn Lanes Bowling League, volunteered for Meals on Wheels, St. Jude's truck rodeo, and for the National Safety Council. Bernard also enjoyed gardening, and was known for his quick wit, and infectious smile.

Visiting Hours are 5-7 Friday August 5th at Fay Brothers, 1 West Boylston Street, West Boylston, and funeral services will be at 10am Saturday August 6th at Our Lady Of Good Counsel, West Boylston.

The family would like to thank the staff at Shrewsbury Crossing and, more recently, Oakdale Nursing Home for their compassionate care during the last years of Bernie's life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Bernie's name to Our Lady of Good Counsel Church or to Notre Dame Hospice.