A beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, honorable World War II veteran and dear friend, Albert Hawthorne Berni, died July 26 at his home on Whidbey Island.

Albert Hawthorne Berni was born Dec. 27, 1922, in Portland, Ore., to parents Catherine Beck and Albert F. Berni. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Portland and then joined the United States Navy in 1943. He served his country as a naval sonar specialist from 1943-1945, and after the war, returned to the Portland area to begin a career in sales for McKesson & Robbins Pharmaceutical Co. In 1947 he married his long time sweetheart, Rosemarian Rauch. Together they celebrated 60 years of marriage and raised four sons.

Al loved people and loved life. He was loved for his quick wit, his ever-present sense of humor and his devotion to his family. He was the primary caregiver to his wife Rosie through two bouts with cancer. He was an esteemed role model to his four sons, coaching their sports teams as they were growing up and cheering on at every game possible for his grandchildren. He would laugh a deep belly laugh at this description, because he was humble and kind, but all who knew him know also it was an accurate description.

Among his greatest joys were the home he and his wife called “Paradise” at Holmes Harbor, spending time with family at Cannon Beach, Ore. and making friends everywhere he went. Al loved capturing the beauty of the Northwest with his camera and was a professional photographer for more than 25 years.

He had an affinity for airplanes and volunteered for many years as a docent for the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field in Seattle. Al and his wife Rosie also volunteered with local community groups including Save Our Shores, the Lighthouse at Admiralty Head and with a local stroke-victims support group.

In addition to his wife, Al Berni is survived by son Dr. George Albert Berni and wife Gretchen, and three grandchildren Sam, Alex and Kate of Silverdale; son Michael Hawthorne Berni and wife Mary, and grandchildren Adam and Nigel Peltier and Lisa Hopkins of Seattle; son William James Berni and wife Jacqueline, and grandson Ben, of Seattle; and son Albert H. Berni, Jr. He is also survived by his sister Ann Oliver of Edmonds and brother Michael Berni of Eugene, Ore.

Remembrances may be made to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 96456, Washington D.C 20090-6456

A memorial service and reception will be held at the Langley United Methodist Church at

2 p.m., on Sunday, Aug. 5.