Jose Luis Bernardez

 SALEM – Mr. Jose Luis Bernardez, 70, of Salem, beloved husband of Maria (Arzu) Bernardez, died December 31, 2020 at Salem Hospital.

Born in Puerto Cortez, Honduras, he was the son of Nolbeta Bernardes Avila and the late Margarito Bernardez. He was raised and educated in Puerto Cortez and immigrated to the United States at the age of 21 in 1972. His first American home was New York and upon his marriage to his beloved wife they moved to Massachusetts first settling in Peabody and then moving to Salem to make their forever home. He was a long-time resident of the City of Salem.

Mr. Bernardez had been employed as a Chef aboard Merchant Marine Ships for many years until the time of his illness. He loved being out on the open waters and seeing the world. He loved his profession.

A loving husband, father and grandfather, Jose had a true and deep passion for music. He enjoyed the oldies, especially 1950’s music, and loved to sing and dance. His devotion to his family was always the first and foremost thing in his life. He loved being an Abuelo to his grandchildren. He loved to bake, especially his famous Banana bread and he taught his grandchildren how to do the same. He often would spend time going for walks enjoying nature and visiting with his friends at Lafayette Park in Salem.

Devoted to his faith, he was a longtime communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church in Salem. His lasting hallmarks will be his love of his family and his steadfast faith to his church.

Jose is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Maria (Arzu) Bernardez of Salem, his children, Zaida Bernardez, Alexandra Bernardez, Mariana Bernardez and Judy Bernardez, his beloved grandchildren, Jose, Seleni, Matthew, Amani, Sophia, Raul, Alia and Angel and his 15 siblings and many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by two siblings

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours at O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., Salem, MA 01970, Monday, January 4^th from 5 to 7 P.M. His funeral service is private. All are invited to join the family remotely for his funeral service at www.odonnellfuneralservice.com, on Tuesday, Jan. 5th at 10 A.M. It will be tribucast. Please click the link below or copy and paste the link into your browser (https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/67895399) Burial in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com

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