BERNARD WERSCHLER OBITUARY

(1938 to 2026) 
Chatham 
Bernard Werschler, 87 left this world on January 12, 2026.  Born in upstate New York he was the son of Benjamin Werschler and Anna (Patala) Werschler and younger brother to Marion Remelman. 

Bernie graduated from Clarkson University in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and founded Beta Tau Fraternity as its President. At a coffee house, he met the love of his life, Barbara, a student at Potsdam State College. After graduation they married and moved to NYC where he was an AT&T executive and Barbara was a teacher. In Massachusetts they started a family of four children, Marie, Susan, Paul, and Catherine. They settled in Wenham, MA. He worked at RCA, Sylvania, and became marketing director at United Shoe Machinery where he worked for 22 years. He also earned a Master of Science in Engineering Administration at Northeastern University. He traveled the world throughout Europe, Australia, Africa, and Japan, and taught himself Italian. His family and friends greatly enjoyed his many stories about the people he met and how he navigated the world before cell phones and Google Maps. He ended his career in the microelectronics division at Raytheon Corporation. After retiring, he and Barbara moved to their vacation home in Chatham, MA, where he enjoyed being a member of many local clubs, including the Chatham Men’s Club, the Italian Club, and the Chatham Community Garden. 

Bernie’s focus in life was as a father and husband, and he had much passion for his family’s well-being and supported his children and grandchildren in all of their endeavors. With integrity, intelligence, and unmatched work ethic, he accepted any challenge and relished solving it. He taught his family the joy of being a lifetime learner. In his final days, he continued to engage with his family, conversing, asking questions, listening to others, and suggesting strategies on topics as diverse as quantum mechanics and politics.  

Bernie loved the outdoors, especially being on the water, and as an adult learned how to scuba dive, windsurf, and boat with his family in the coastal waters of Cape Ann and Chatham. There were many joyous times exploring ocean creatures found on his scuba dives including a 16 lb lobster. Bernie enjoyed watching breathtaking sunsets, sailing in Pleasant Bay, walking on the beach with his family, and sharing coolers full of sandwiches, cookies, and chips.  

Through his love of alpine skiing, he made first tracks in the morning snow and closed out the day stopping to savor the fading light and the moments of the last run. With his son Paul, they skied the Swiss Alps together, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  

Bernie and Barbara traveled together through Italy, France, Hawaii, California, and Florida, creating enduring memories.  

Taking after his mother, he learned gardening, creating a magical sanctuary with bountiful flowers blooming throughout the seasons. His grandchildren took turns  sneaking raspberries still unripe. Fat squirrels that he fed by hand, bunnies, turkeys and other critters came to feed, to everyone’s delight. He shared his gardening knowledge with fellow gardeners at the Chatham Community Garden, and he cherished the friendships he made there. His vegetable garden plot overflowed with tomatoes and zucchinis which he enjoyed sharing with neighbors and friends. 

Bernie taught us all to live each day to the fullest and always encouraged everyone to   leave their comfort zone to experience new things! He loved to hear about the accomplishments and adventures of his grandchildren and was grateful they followed his example in living life with vitality and purpose. He passed peacefully with his beloved Barbara, wife of 65 years, children and spouses, and grandchildren by his side. He is loved beyond measure. He is missed beyond words. 

Bernie is survived by his four children, Marie and husband Robert, Susan LeBarron and husband Adam, Paul and wife Lisa, Catherine Kane and husband William, and grandchildren, Sarah, Bobby, Charlotte, Cece, Rachel, Elise, Grace, Mary, and Isabella. 

The family thanks Bernie’s caring team at Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the dedicated staff at McCarthy Care Center in Sandwich for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Dana Farber Cancer Institute or The VNA of Cape Cod Hospice. Most of all, in Bernie’s memory, tell a good life story to someone you love. 

Bernie will be buried in Chatham in the near future.