BREWER – J. Bernard O’Kane, 84, husband of Doris (Carrier) O’Kane, died unexpectedly Jan. 27, 2009, at his home. He was born May 1, 1924, in Rumford, the son of James B. and Geraldine (McMennamin) O’Kane. Bernard was a 1942 graduate of Stephens High School and attended St. Athanasius Church, Rumford. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II in the 97th Infantry Division, 387th Regiment, 3rd Battalion Medical Detachment in Europe, where he was a prisoner of war, April 1945. He returned to the U.S. after his release and was deployed to Japan until 1946 when he was discharged as a staff sergeant battalion section leader. Bernard worked at Oxford Paper Co., Rumford, until 1967 and worked for Eastern Fine Paper until retiring in 1986 as district sales manager. He was an avid skier, enjoyed camping and golfing with his friends at Paris Hill Country Club. Bernard was a communicant of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Brewer; American Legion Post No. 24, VFW Post No. 1641, American Ex POW Maine Chapter No. 1 and a life member of Knights of Columbus, Council No. 2091. Surviving, in addition to his wife, Doris (Carrier) Sage O’Kane of Brewer, are five children, Ann Downes and her fianc?, Geoffrey Picard, of Howland and her two children, Michael and Katherine, Denise Richards and her husband, Brien, of Belgium and their daughter, Audra, James O’Kane and his wife, Linda, of Long Beach, Calif., and their children, James Jr. and Ross, Gregory Sage and his wife, Roxanne, of Falmouth and their children, Ryan, Corey and Patrick, and Matthew O’Kane and his wife, Sherri, of Lindenhurst, Ill., and their daughter, Kayley; a son-in-law, Stephen Harvey and his children, Sarah and Samuel, of Raymond; and one sister, Geraldine Bernard and her husband, Pete, of Bangor. He was predeceased by his first wife, Margaret Law, in 1955; his daughter, Elizabeth Harvey; and two sisters, Nancy Paterson and Barbara Milligan. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 2, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Brewer, with a time of fellowship immediately afterward in the parish center. Burial with military honors will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, at Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to Multiple Sclerosis Society, 170 U.S. Route 1, Falmouth, ME 04105 or Ronald McDonald House, 654 State St., Bangor, ME 04401. Arrangements by Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 69 State St., Brewer. Condolences may be offered at www.kileyandfoley.com.
J. BERNARD O’KANE
