Obituary of Bernard Thomas Way

Bernard Thomas Way

Born on March 3, 1924, in Grass Lake, Michigan, of Orville Malcom Way and Louise Frances Schnebelt Way. The family moved to Jackson, Michigan, for a few years and then settled permanently in the village of Manchester, MI. All seven children (six boys; one girl) worked in the family baking and grocery business. Upon graduation from Manchester High, Bernard enrolled at St. Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, Indiana, in September, 1942. In April 1943, he joined the U.S. Marines in World War II.

In September, 1946 he resumed studies at St. Joseph’s and upon graduation entered the Benedictine monastery, Atchison, Kansas. The Benedictine monks staff a four-year liberal arts college where he served as an administrator, instructor, and counselor in residence halls. His graduate studies were at the University of Wisconsin; Catholic University of America; and Benedictine School of Theology, Kansas.

In November, 1967, he became a Social Worker for Merced County, California. In January, 1970, he accepted the position as a Personnel Manager for Orange County, CA., government. Upon retirement in 1990, he moved to Tucson, Arizona and for fifteen years became a volunteer providing music concerts in independent living, assisted living, nursing homes, and Alzheimer facilities.

Bernard was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ethel Marie, and five brothers, Robert, Kenneth, Richard, John Francis, and Thomas. He is survived by his sister, Geraldine M. Shewbridge, Brownstown, MI; and two sisters-in-law; Evelyn, Merced, CA. and Kathleen, Denver, CO.

Bernard T. Way passed away on February 10th 2020. Funeral arrangements are being made with Bring’s Mortuary, with burial in Our Lady of the Desert Cemetery, Tucson. Holy Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis de Sales Church, Tucson, at 10am on Monday February 17th with a Catholic Rosary preceding the funeral liturgy at 9am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Augustine High School, Tucson, AZ.