Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 28th at 10:30am at the Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home, Inc. for Joseph F Bernard Jr., 89, who passed away on Friday, June 24th. He was born June 18, 1927 in Leetonia, OH, son of  Joseph F. Bernard Sr.and Elizabeth White. Joseph belonged to St. Michael's Catholic Church in Canfield.
Honored for coaching, Joseph Bernard was a 1945 graduate of Leetonia High School where he was an outstanding football player. He was the center for the varsity team and was selected as team captain in both 1943 and 1944. He was picked for the All-County and All-State football teams in 1944.
Joseph attended Miami University of Ohio in 1945 where he played football under coach Sid Gilman. In 1946, he transferred to Youngstown College where he played for coach Dike Beede in 1947, '48 and '49, graduating in 1950 with a BS in Education. He later earned his Masters of Education degree.
After graduation, Joseph was hired by Leetonia High School as a teacher and assistant football coach under Coach Bob Gibson. He stayed at Leetonia from 1951 through 1953. In the fall of 1954 Joseph began his career at East High School as a drivers education teacher. He also began his coaching career the same year as an assistant football coach, first under Coach Pete Lanzi and then Coach Ed DiGregorio. Among his other duties at East, Joseph was assistant track coach under Coach Gus Hlebovy and for two years was Athletic Director at East.
Joseph coached football from 1955 to 1982 at East, coaching the championship teams of 1955 and 1959. Joseph also coached the City Championship Track Team of 1960, coaching track from 1959 through 1980. Although he began as an instructor of driving education, Joseph, after about five years, taught health, science, biology and higher math classes for the remainder of his career. Joseph retired from teaching at East in 1982.
After retiring, he was a substitute teacher at both Chaney High School and West Jr. High. Joseph also worked for 13 years at the Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home. On January 10, 2004, Joseph was inducted into the Leetonia Sports Hall of Fame.
He leaves his wife, Lucille DeStefano, whom he married May 24, 1952, a son, Joseph Craig (Carole) Bernard of Canfield, a granddaughter, Kathryn (Kevin) Antal of Boardman, and a grandson, Michael Bernard of Canfield. He also leaves a brother in law and sister in law, G. Richard & Diane Booth of Poland and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Anthony Bernard and a sister, Helen Bernard.
Friends will be received Monday, June 27th from 5 to 7pm at the Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home, Inc., Youngstown, Ohio.
In Lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of the Valley

 Service Information