Bernard F. Garrett

Bernard F. Garrett, “Bernie,” passed away on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at the age of 82.  He was born on May 30, 1941, to the late Julian and Sarah Giniger.  The middle of three, with two sisters, he grew up in Bronx, NY where he attended Public School 79.  Bernie prided himself on being from “The Bronx” and despite living in MA since 1963, never lost his characteristic New York accent.  

Bernie met his wife, Lorraine at his cousin’s wedding in New York.  After they got married, they moved to MA and lived in Brookline, before settling in Natick. In Natick, he and Lorraine were blessed to live in a great neighborhood with wonderful neighbors, including the O’Brien, Lienhard and Ramstrom families. He was always a fun Dad, taking trips to Dairy Queen and tossing the kids around in the pool. He was very supportive of his daughters’ sports and enjoyed attending many high school, college, and AAU games.  

Alongside James Bodoin, his friend of sixty-four years, Bernie received his degree from Bentley School of Accounting and Finance.  While working and raising his two young daughters, he continued his education at Bentley going to night school for another thirteen years.  Bernie worked as an accomplished CPA in Boston, until he opened his own practice in 1985 in Needham, MA.  Through his work many of his clients and their families became lifelong friends, especially the Curtis and Brenner families.  Lorraine and Bernie worked side by side building their business until they retired on Cape Cod.  

Bernie enjoyed living in Falmouth, MA where he immersed himself in the community.  You might have seen him at Smitty’s getting ice cream with his granddaughters, or perhaps walking the Falmouth bike path.  Bernie ran the Falmouth Road Race, mentored children at local elementary schools through the Volunteer In Public Schools (VIPS) program and became an active member of the Cape Cod Curling Club.  In 2004, Bernie received the VIPS Outstanding Volunteer of the Year award.  Additionally, in 2007 he was instrumental in implementing a curling program in the Falmouth Elementary School system before he and Lorraine moved to Linden Ponds in 2012.  

In 2014, Bernie was featured in an Erikson Living commercial for Linden Ponds and began working at the LPTV station where he would entertain viewers doing the weather, often dressed in holiday-appropriate costumes. He got involved in the resident Variety Shows and comfortably took to the stage displaying his comedic skills.  Bernie lived his life authentically, and not afraid to make a fool of himself.  He would always say, “You can’t take yourself too seriously.” All who knew Bernie were likely charmed by his wonderful sense of humor, ability to make conversation and put people at ease. He made friends wherever he was.  Bernie enjoyed getting to know many of those working in the restaurants and around Linden Ponds.   He created strong bonds and genuinely cared to learn about their lives.  He was a member of the Student Scholarship Committee and always loved talking to the many High School servers and staff in the dining halls.  

Bernie was an avid Boston sports fan – religiously watching the Patriots and Celtics. He loved to read and kept a running list of the books he read in his retirement. Bernie played both cribbage and backgammon and was always up for a game, especially with his dear friend, the late Bob Ramstrom.  Back in the day Bernie and Lorraine enjoyed dancing together and could Lindy, Foxtrot and Swing with the best of them. Those who knew Bernie knew how much he loved his granddaughters, who affectionately referred to him as Papa, and he marveled at how they had grown into such amazing, beautiful young women. 

Bernie is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lorraine Garrett of Hingham, MA; sister Linda and her husband, Ted Bodie of Sunrise, FL; daughter and daughter-in-law, Lisa Garrett and Donna Dearborn of Walpole, MA; daughter and son-in-law, Debra and John Lawlor of Fairfield, CT; three granddaughters, Kate, Kylie and Grace Lawlor of Fairfield, CT; sister-in-law Pat David; nephews Jeffery Warren, Sandor Sklar and Joe David; niece Christine Verone; and of course we cannot forget Bernie’s grand pups. He was preceded in death by his parents, Julian and Sarah Giniger, sister Marcia Eisenfeld of Queens, NY and brother-in-law Joseph David of Staten Island, NY.  

The family would like to thank Dr. Tam, the wonderful nurses, social workers, CNAs, chaplains, staff at Rose Court and the Norwell VNA and Hospice who helped to provide such compassionate care to Bernie, especially in the final days.   

A celebration of Bernie’s life will be held on Monday, July 10, 2023, from 1-4 pm, at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) in the Derby Club House at Linden Ponds, Hingham, MA.  Please come by to enjoy something to eat, a cold beverage and an opportunity to share some “Bernie” stories you may have . . . we know there are many!  

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating, on behalf of Bernie, to either the Linden Ponds Student Scholarship Fund, Linden Ponds Staff Appreciation Fund or Linden Ponds Resident Care Fund.  Contributions can be made payable to Linden Ponds (please note the specific fund in the memo) and mailed to:

Linden Ponds Philanthropy Office
203 Linden Ponds Way
Hingham, MA 02043

For online contributions, the following links can be used:

Linden Ponds Student Scholarship Fund – Contribute

Linden Ponds Resident Care Fund – Contribute