NORWICH – Bernard A. “Berney” Brunza, 80, of Pratt Road, passed away at the NYS Veterans’ Home in Oxford on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011.
Born Aug. 21, 1931, Berney was the son of John and Josephine (Woicekowski) Brunza. He was a 1949 graduate of Forty Fort High School in Luzerne, Pa., and a 1954 graduate of Kings College.  Berney also completed a master’s degree in education at Colgate University. He was drafted in the U.S. Army in 1955 and was honorably discharged in 1957.
He spent his entire working career in the field of education starting as a science teacher at Guilford and Maine-Endwell Central Schools.  Prior to his retirement, Berney spent most of his working years as an administrator in the Norwich City School District.  He was an avid golfer, and enjoyed farming. Berney was referred to by many as a “gentleman farmer” due to 40 years of farming his Pratt Road land.
Berney is survived by his children Brian (Monica) Brunza, Maine, NY; Bernard II (Jessica) Brunza, Argyle; Brendan (Freda) Brunza, Raleigh, NC; Bobbi (Tom) Turner, Lafayette, NY; and Belinda (Jim) Keator, Norwich. He is also survived by grandchildren John R. Brunza, Nicole (Ron) Miller, Kacie Brunza, James and David Turner, Joshua, Lauren and Keating Brunza, and Savanna and Devin Keator; and great grandchild Breese Miller.  Brother Jay Brunza and sister Lorraine (Paul) Hiznay also survive. Berney was predeceased by his daughter, Beth Brunza.
The family wishes to thank the staff of the NYS Veterans’ Home for the quality and compassionate care they provided our father during his stay there.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 21, 2012, with Rev. Ralph Bove, pastor, St. Paul’s Church, officiating.  Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Contributions in Berney’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK  73123-1718.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Funeral Home. To send a message of condolence, please visit the funeral home website at: www.wilsonfh.com.