In the early morning of Nov. 23, 2014, Mike passed away at Northern Idaho Advanced Care Hospital in Post Falls, Idaho, after a valiant effort to recover from a ruptured aortic aneurysm. Mike was a few weeks short of his 93rd birthday.

He was born Jan. 17, 1922, in Staten Island, N.Y., to Lawrence and Gertrude Rosenfeld Bernardo. He was the oldest of three children born to their union. During his childhood Mike grew up in a multi-generational home on Staten Island with his parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles, all living in the same house. His grand-uncle and his family lived next door. In later years, Mike and his family lived in Bronx, N.Y.

Mike attended James Monroe High School before leaving to serve one year in the Civilian Conservation Corps. He enlisted in the Marine Corps for 3 1/2 years, serving in the 1st Marine Division. He spent the war in the Pacific Theatre. He landed on Guadalcanal on Aug. 7, 1942. After an honorable discharge at the end of WW II, he moved to Santa Monica, Calif., where he met the lovely Virginia Anne Tyckosky, whom he married on Jan. 16, 1949.

For 25 years Mike owned Fabri-Tron, Inc., in North Hollywood, Calif., before retiring to Palm Desert and spending summers in Coeur d'Alene.

Mike was an old school military style drummer who marched and performed with various drum and bugle Corps across the country. He won numerous percussion awards throughout the years.

He was active in a variety of military, veteran, youth, and community service organizations including Toys For Tots, American Legion Post 14, high school drum instructor, Spokane Thunder Drum & Bugle Corps, as well as being a supporter of the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas.

Along with his wife Virginia, they enjoyed traveling in their RV from Canada to Central America, visiting all the historical sites in between. They often attended plays, musicals, and concerts that came to Coeur d'Alene and Spokane. Mike enjoyed fishing and time on his boat, especially when any one came to visit. They both enjoyed a night at the casino.

Having grown up in New York, Mike was a lifelong Yankee fan, although he adopted the Los Angeles Rams and Lakers as his hometown teams after moving to California.

Preceding him in death by nine weeks, his wife of 65 years, Virginia; and his parents, Lawrence and Gertrude Bernardo.

Mike is survived by his son, Gary (Ellen) Bernardo of Liberty Lake, Wash., two grandchildren - Brian (Mary) Bernardo and Aimee (Clinton) Lowry, both of Phoenix, Ariz., four great-grandchildren: William Lowry, Harrison Lowry, Olivia Bernardo and Alexander Bernardo, all of Phoenix. He is also survived by his sister, Florence Rossiter of Auburn, Calif., and brother Bert Bernardo of Las Vegas, Nev.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, and funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. 4th St., Coeur d'Alene. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, 1001 Lincoln Way, Coeur d'Alene. Military Honors will be provided by the United States Marine Corps and Pappy Boyington Marine Corps League Detachment 966.

Special thanks and appreciation to all the staff at Garden Plaza, Kootenai Health ICU - especially Dr. Chris Ward, and NIACH for their dedication, support, and care.

Please visit Mike's memorial and sign his online guestbook at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.