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PUTNAM — Norman “Chief” Bernier, 76, a three-year resident of Davis Place, formerly of Sabin Street, died Dec. 11, 2023, at Day Kimball Hospital after a brief illness. He was the loving husband of Paula (Harper) Bernier. Born in 1947 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Adelard and Rita (Gaumond) Bernier.
Norman was united in marriage to the former Paula Harper on, July 17, 1971, at St. Mary Church of the Visitation in Putnam.
Mr. Bernier began his working career as a loan officer at Putnam Bank until 1990 when he was hired as a sales representative for Shipman’s Fire Equipment in Waterford, which he fondly referred to as his “hobby”.
Norman joined the Putnam Fire Department on Jan. 1, 1969. He began his career as a regular firefighter and rose through the ranks from firefighter to driver/pump operator, Lieutenant, Captain, and eventually became chief of the Putnam Fire Department on April 1, 1987, and stayed as chief until 2014. In 2015 after having retired from the Putnam Fire Department for only a year he was asked to assist with the West Thompson Fire Department. On July 19, 2020, he was awarded the Longest Acting Safety Officer. After five years with the West Thompson Fire Department the membership committee made a recommendation to the general membership to move Norman to a life member of the department because between Putnam and West Thompson, he now had over 50 years of service in the fire service. In April 2023 Norman was inducted into the Connecticut State Firefighters Hall of Fame. This was a huge achievement and a proud moment for him.
He was past president of the Putnam Fish and Game Club, served on the Putnam Board of Education, and was a founding member of the Northeast District Department of Health. Norman, as a true outdoorsman enjoyed fishing and hunting.
He leaves his wife of 52 years, Paula (Harper) Bernier; his son, Matthew Bernier of Putnam; his sister in laws, Cynthia Bernier of Manchester and Donna Briere (Edward Briere Jr.) of Putnam; nieces, Julia Bernier of Massachusetts and Lauren Briere of Putnam. He was predeceased by a brother, Paul Bernier.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Dec. 16 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: West Thompson Volunteer Fire Department, 248 W. Thompson Rd., N. Grosvenordale, CT 06255; or the Alzheimer’s Association, CT Chapter, 200 Executive Blvd S, Suite 4B, Southington, CT 06489. Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.
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