STOCK, Bernard Clarence 'Bernie' - (1932 - 2021) - Bernard Clarence Stock (“Bernie”), 88, passed away on January 22, 2021, at Brampton, Ontario.
He can now join Beverley, his beloved wife of 62 years, who predeceased him in March 2016.
Bernie was born at Chetnole, England, and spent the war years growing up in Bournemouth on the English south coast. As an eight-year-old, he looked out over the English Channel watching Spitfires and Hurricanes dogfight in the Battle of Britain. From the cliffs, he and his friends always thought they helped the war effort by throwing rocks at contact mines that washed up on the beach believing it was a public service to make them explode in kid-controlled circumstances.
After his family home was destroyed in a bombing raid, he and his brother Leo were evacuated to their Uncle Ned’s farm north of Manchester. It was a very organic place. Vines grew in from the garden, under the front door, and up the stairs to Bernie’s bedroom. Here he created his first business by selling manure. He’d scoop it from behind horses on the street into a bucket that dangled from the handlebars of his bicycle and got paid for his collection and delivery service by people growing Victory gardens. After the war, in grade school, he was a celebrated soccer captain.
On March 8, 1949, at the age of 16, Bernie sailed from Southampton to New York on RMS Queen Mary with his mother, father, and older brother Leo, and then went by train to Toronto. He and Leo boarded with a kind family who helped the brothers find work pumping gas. Later, Bernie was given an opportunity to start as a refrigeration apprentice with Universal Refrigeration. He became a journeyman in refrigeration, air conditioning, and welding.
In 1953 he met Beverley Egan at the Palais Royale dance hall at Sunnyside Beach in Toronto. Admission was 10 cents, plus 5 cents a dance. His first words to her were, “I guess you’re another secretary.” It was true, but she was not impressed. Fortunately, they shared an interest in riding. One afternoon on a hill in the countryside overlooking what is now the Warden subway station, Beverley’s horse reached forward to nibble grass and she began to slide off her saddle. Bernie caught her. Good move. They married on April 24, 1954 and lived in a small apartment at 1350 Kingston Road overlooking the grounds of the Toronto Hunt Club. About 65 years later, Bernie’s granddaughter Rebecca now lives in a sweet new condo built at the same location.
Bernie became a Canadian citizen in 1956 and celebrated by learning to fly. In 1957, the couple moved into their first house at 889 Brimorton Drive, Scarborough. Bernie hand-built a refrigerator and together they planted a hedge using their hands because they couldn’t afford a shovel. They also welcomed their first son, Tracey, into this home and marked the day by planting a small maple tree in the middle of the back yard. It’s still there and towers over rooftops.
Bernie’s success grew and he and Bev welcomed their next 3 sons, Kevin, David, and James, to their second home at 58 Cartier Crescent in Scarborough. In 1965, he became general manager of Universal Refrigeration. The family celebrated by squeezing into a Pontiac Parisienne for Bernie to drive everyone from Toronto to California along Route 66.
In 1967, the family bought a cottage near Gore’s Landing on Rice Lake where they enjoyed fishing, boating, and raking weeds. In August 1969, the family moved to Agincourt, soon after Bernie set up his own refrigeration company, Contract Refrigeration. Contract was a big operation doing work across Canada - from St. John’s, Newfoundland, to Vancouver, BC.
In 1995, Bernie and Bev retired to a lakeside home in Bobcaygeon where Bernie began a new career as a creative, artistic, tinkering genius in his garage workshop. He carved wooden ducks, crafted furniture, and fixed everything in sight. He also golfed a lot.
Bernie and Bev enjoyed winters at their Florida condo in Sarasota golfing and visiting with Bev’s brother Frank (Judy) Egan. They also travelled throughout Europe from their condo base in Bournemouth steps away from the same cliffs where Bernie had watched Battle of Britain dogfights.
Bernie leaves behind a hell of a lot of stuff to his sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and family, including a splendid pool table and many thoughtful gadgets in the garage.
Bernie was the loving and cherished husband of Beverley Eileen Stock (nee Egan), and loving and proud father of Tracey, Kevin (Michelle), David, and James (Lianne), and beloved brother-in-law to Frank (Judy) Egan, and brothers Leonard and John. Bernie was also loving grandfather to Michael, Rebecca (Michael), Madison, Holly, Meagan (Tyler), Emiley, and Noah; uncle to Teddy (Pat) Egan; great uncle to Jennifer (Jason), Ryan (Amanda), Tammy (Zak) Egan; and great-great uncle to many more.
Bernie was predeceased by his loving mother, Madeline, and father, Basil. Bernie will also be mourned by Kimberley, Charmaine, the Avisons, Deslauriers, Thompsons, Jethras, and many other dear friends.
Thanks are extended to the caring staff at Amica Peel Village, Brampton, and especially Daniela Ronca, who supported Bernie for his last months. Thanks also go to the medical staff in the emergency and neurology units at the Brampton Civic Hospital, including Dr. Ria Oommen and Allison Ayeni, RN.
In memory, please consider giving to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Canada in support of Bernie’s grandson, Noah.
Arrangements entrusted with Andrews funeral home, Brampton. A celebration of life will be held when social restrictions permit.
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