Thomas John “Boney” Berno
St. Albans: Thomas John Berno, a lifelong resident, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023.
Born in St. Albans on July 13, 1963, he was the son of George “Geo” and Janice (Gilpin) Berno. Tom or as his friends and family knew him “Boney” was 60 years old.
Tom enjoyed growing up with his family and neighborhood friends on 15 Brown Avenue. He participated in youth sports and played hockey for the St. Albans Skating Association, played Midget and Little League baseball, and played Youth flag and tackle football. He was a member of the St. Albans Cub Scouts and was an Altar Server at St. Mary’s Parish.
Tom attended St. Albans City Elementary School where he continued to develop a very sharp mind and a high degree of intellect. He was a very good student.
Tom was a graduate of Bellows Free Academy and was a key contributor on the BFA Varsity Football team during his Senior year. He then attended Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, FL where he was a member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity. His beloved dog, Bernie, joined Tom during his years at FIT.
Tom’s real pride and joy as well as his best friend was his son Forest. There was nothing more important to Tom than spending time with Forest. One of their favorite father-son activities, amongst many, was supporting Forest’s class homework assignments.
Tom loved spending time in the woods hunting. Hunting was an early family tradition and Tom felt very comfortable being in the outdoors.
Tom had a passion for music as you might hear him strumming his guitar or listening to his favorite bands Led Zeppelin and Yes. He loved rock ‘n roll music and was proud to have attended several live concerts that featured Yes.
You could always count on Tom to take the other side of a topic as he could not resist a good debate. The actual subject didn’t matter – sports, history, politics, religion, etc. – you had to be prepared when you chose to square off against Tom because there was no quit in his willingness to win the debate.
Tom held several occupations during his employment career, yet none meant as much to him as working for his father, Geo, as a lead service technician at Berno’s Inc.
Survivors include his parents, Geo and Janice, his son, Forest A. Berno; his brothers, David M. Berno and his wife, Melanie, and Robert D. Berno and his wife, Karin, and his sister, Ann Marie Berno-Browning and her husband, Sean; his nephews and nieces, Dylan, Brendan and Jillian Berno, Joshua and Logan Riley, Hillary, Alli and Nick Berno and Jessica Wright, Abby and Jake Moore, and Aaron and Aiden Browning. Tom’s godparents were Roger and Carol Luneau.
Tom’s family will receive family and friends on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at the Heald Funeral Home, 87 So. Main Street, St. Albans from 10:30 am-12 Noon. followed by a service at Noon with Reverend Father Christopher Micale officiating.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Martha’s Community Kitchen, 139 Lake Street, St. Albans, Vermont 05478.
Honored to be serving the family of Thomas Berno is the Heald Funeral Home, where messages of condolence are welcome at www.healdfuneralhome.com
