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SOUTH HADLEY – Dr. Thomas L. Bernard, age 94, of Sycamore Knolls died at home on January 23, 2026. Born in Bonnybridge, Scotland on March 24, 1931, he was the son of Helen (Aitken) and George Bernard. He is survived by his three sisters in Wales (U.K.): Imogen Parry, Jennifer Cumberlidge and Gillian Chalmers-Evans, as well as a number of cousins, nephews and nieces. His wife, Lois (Publicover) Bernard of Scotch Plains, NJ, predeceased him. He graduated from the (Dominican) Friars School (founded in 1557) in Bangor, Wales, where he captained the football team and was vice-captain of the cricket team. Following military service in the British Army (Royal Artillery) during the Korean War, he attended and graduated from the School of Education of the University of Wales in 1952. In 1953, he obtained the Diploma of the Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene (London) and was elected into membership of the Institute. Additional studies were at the University of London, Charles University in Czechoslovakia, Moscow State University in the U.S.S.R. and the European Institute in Berlin, West Germany. While traveling in East Germany in 1976 he was arrested by the East German Security Services and accused of being a spy; he managed to escape to West Germany. He taught in the public schools of Birmingham, England, and Johannesburg, South Africa, before coming to the United States to teach in the public schools of Elizabeth, NJ. Resuming his studies, he graduated with a B.A., from Kean University in Union, NJ, then with a M.Ed., G.A.G.S and Ed.D. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. In 1981, he received a postgraduate certificate from Harvard University Graduate School of Education. In 1988, he was appointed a post-doctoral fellow of the World Education Center at the University of Connecticut. His professional career which spanned over 50 years with service on five continents included being Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools of Wilbraham, MA, Assistant Professor of Education at the University of Hartford, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Education at Mount Holyoke College and Professor of Education and Psychology at Springfield College where he was an administrator and teacher of 25 years from 1974-1999. During this period at Springfield College, he served as Director of the Community Education Division and he chaired the Education Department. Also, while at Springfield College and in his capacity as Executive Director of YMCA Studies, he conceived the idea of the YMCA Hall of Fame at Springfield College of which he became a founding member, serving in its early years as secretary and treasurer. Acquiring the status of Senior Director of the YMCA in 1984, he served on committees of the YMCA at the national level, and as an international delegate. In 1994, he was invited to attend the 150th anniversary celebration of the founding of the YMCA movement in London, England, which was hosted by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. While at Springfield College and during sabbatical leaves, he taught or lectured abroad in England (including at Oxford University), in Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand where one of his students at Srinakharinwirot University in Bangkok was Her Royal Highness and Thai Crown Princess. Following retirement in 1999, he taught as an adjunct professor at American International College, Bay Path College, Smith College and Springfield College. In his career and personal life he took a leadership role and was at various times President of the: English-Speaking Union (Pioneer Valley Chapter), Reality Club of Springfield (founded in 1897), Phi Delta Kappa (University of Massachusetts Chapter), Welsh Society of Western New England, New Jersey Exchange Teachers’ Club, International Community Education Association, New England Bearded Collie Club and Vice-President of the Massachusetts Community Education Association. Honors he received included the following awards for meritorious service: from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Education, the Bill Cosby Award for International Service from the School of Education of the University of Massachusetts, from the American Institute for Foreign Studies, from the English Speaking Union of the USA, from the International Community Education Association, from Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity of the USA., from the YMCA of the USA, and from Springfield College. He was author or co-author of over a hundred books or articles, including his seminal book “The Twelve Days of Christmas: The Mystery and the Meaning”, which was the first significant attempt to explain the underlying message of the twelve parts of that song. At various times he served as a board member of the South Hadley education Committee Advisory Council, the Springfield School Volunteers, the Massachusetts State Office for Children (area council) and the Holyoke Wistariahurst Museum. He was a longtime member of the First Congregational Church of South Hadley, the West 18th Street Literary Society (military group), the World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts, the Holyoke Canoe Club, and the Comparative and International Education Society. He was an active member of the American Name Society and taught courses, lectured and presented papers locally and at linguistic conferences on onomastictopics. He always led an active lifestyle, playing badminton and tennis on a regular basis. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Scholarship Fund at Springfield College, or to the First Congregational Church of South Hadley. The Beers and Story Funeral Home are in charge of arrangements

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Dr. Thomas Bernard Obituary | Altogether