Bernard R. Gay

South Hadley- Bernard R. "Bernie" Gay, 84, passed away August 28, 2026, with family by his side. Bernie was born on March 26, 1942 in Burlington, VT, to the late Raymond and Bernadette (Santerre) Gay. He attended Our Lady of the Rosary High School and later went on to serve in the US Navy on the USS Talbot County during the Vietnam War. Following his honorable discharge, Bernie worked as a driver installer for the former Holyoke Equipment Company for 40 years before retiring. In his retirement, Bernie worked at Mount Holyoke College as a driver in the Ancillary Service Department for the last 25 years and was currently employed at the time of his passing. He was a communicant of St. Patrick's Church in South Hadley, and avid Red Sox fan, and a true outdoorsman. Bernie enjoyed being in nature whether he was out fishing, boating or camping. He loved working with his hands and used his talent in woodworking to build beautiful Christmas decorations to be shared with his family. Most of all, Bernie enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were the light of his life.

Bernie was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Bernadette; his sister, Jeannette LaRivere; and his sister-in-law, Maryann Larkin. He will be dearly missed by his beloved wife of 61 years, Joyce E. Gay; daughter, Kimberly Paradis; daughter, Allison Castonguay and her husband Stephen Greiner; brother, Maurice Gay Sr. and his partner, Jean Blamy; sister, Louise Mulvagh and her husband, Brian; brother-in-law, Edward S. Gay Jr. and his wife Connie; grandchildren, Melissa Freeman and her husband Brian, Laura Schwartz and her husband Jonathan, and Jacob Dill; and his precious great-grandchildren, Brian, Julia, Preston, and Cameron.

Visitation will be held September 26, 2026 from 9:30-10:30AM at the Beers & Story South Hadley Funeral Home followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00AM at St. Patrick's Church in South Hadley. Burial will follow in St. Patrick's Cemetery in Chicopee. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations in Bernie's memory to be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute & The Jimmy Fund Division of Philanthropy, PO BOX 849168 Boston, MA 02284-9168 or by visiting My Giving Page: Dana Farber & Jimmy Fund , or to St. Patrick's Church 30 Main St. South Hadley, MA 01075.