Gerald “Jerry” L. Bernier

BRUNSWICK – Gerald “Jerry” L. Bernier, 81 years old, a proud resident of Brunswick, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2026, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Jerry was born in Lewiston, the morning after Christmas 1944. His family eventually moved to downtown Brunswick in 1957. Jerry’s mother worked at Healthtex, a local Brunswick apparel manufacturer, his father owned a local barroom adjacent to their home on Elm Street, while working as a painter in Brunswick and BIW. Jerry attended St. John’s, Brunswick Junior High School and Brunswick High School.

Hockey was a passion for Jerry from the time he could walk until his dying days. He was one of the first goaltenders for the Brunswick Dragons during their first seasons in the early ’60s. Later in his hockey life, he would work for the American Hockey League as a statistician for the Maine Mariners and then the Portland Pirates. During his school years he held various jobs in Brunswick including being a paper boy, a shoe shiner, bagging groceries, building houses, setting pins at a bowling alley, and steaming hot dogs at Mike’s, keeping him busy constantly.

After graduating high school in 1963, he started a career at Grumbacher, an artist brush and art supply manufacturer, in the Fort Andross building. In 1966, Jerry was one of the last to be drafted into the Vietnam War spending almost two years in the Army, of which he served 18 months in Germany. After his service he returned to Brunswick, retiring from Grumbacher, starting his own brush business.

Eventually he and his wife Rachel bought Day’s News and Variety on Maine Street, where he had worked part time since high school. The store was a true labor of love for Jerry keeping it open seven days a week, 365 days. The store became a second home with his customers becoming his extended family.

In the early ’90s the Jenney Station, a former gas station on Maine Street destined for demolition, became available. Jerry, with blood sweat and tears, restored it to its former beauty. During the renovation, he decided the building would become the Jenney Station Tobacconist opening in 1995. Regrettably, and with a heavy heart, Day’s News would close in 2011 due to a decline in newspaper and magazine sales.

With the closure of Day’s News, Jerry was able to “retire” reducing his hours to six days a week and closing on holidays. In Jerry’s spare time in his “retirement”, you could find him at home on his tractors and various equipment working his property.

Jerry loved Brunswick and all the great memories and friendships he developed over his many decades.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 55 years, Rachel Bernier, of Brunswick; as well as his son, Ryan Bernier, his wife Haley and their two sons, all of Brunswick. He is also survived by his younger brother, Richard Bernier of Tennessee; as well as many nieces and nephews who were very dear to him and had a special place in his heart.

Gerald was predeceased by his son, Corey Bernier, who he absolutely adored and missed dearly. He was also predeceased by his older sister, Joan (nee Bernier) Benoit; and his parents Lucien and Alice (nee Ouellette) Bernier.

A service for Gerald will be held on Friday May 8 at Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal St., Brunswick, at 2 p.m. with visitation starting at 1 p.m.

To offer condolences and share fond memories please visit http://www.brackettfh.com to view Jerry’s online memorial.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to CHANS Home Health and Hospice of Brunswick, Maine in Gerald’s honor.