Miner, Bernard C.
Bernard Carlton Miner, 77, of Coventry, passed peacefully on October 6, 2021, after a brief acute illness at home with his devoted wife, Donna, at his side. Bernie was born
at Hartford Hospital to Russell F. Miner and Etta F. Miner and was raised in Manchester, CT. He was educated in the Manchester public school system and was a graduate of Manchester High School, Class of 1962. An employee of Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies, from 1965- 2000, Bernie began his career as a Jet Engine Metalsmith. He rose through the ranks to the position of General Foreman where he supervised the operation of the Area 6 Sheet Metal fabrication unit. Post-retirement, he was employed by Belcan Corp. as a Contractor from 2000-2009 at Pratt & Whitney where he served on the team that decommissioned P&W's North Haven manufacturing plant.
Bernie spent most of his adult life as a resident of Coventry, CT where he was proud to have built his first home and raised his family. Later, he spent 7 years as a resident of Andover, CT and dreamed of building a timber-framed home. He realized this dream in 1995, returning to Coventry, where he and his wife have enjoyed breeding competition whippets under the Domino kennel name for 26 years.
Bernie was a member of the RC Propbusters and maintained an avid interest in remote control aircraft despite losing the ability to fly them due to Parkinson's Disease. Always one to tinker with mechanical equipment, Bernie spent many hours in his “man cave” tuning his Harley Davidson, Triumph café racers, and
his Ducati Paso. He took great pride in his status as a “gearhead.”
Bernie is survived by his Audi TTS Coupe and his wife of 32 years, Donna J. Rotman, in that order. (To be fair, the
car was younger and sexier.) In addition, he is survived by his beloved children from his 25-year marriage to
Joyce Willard: His daughter, Jennifer Anderson and her husband, Bill, and their children, Blake, Brian, and Brook, of Tolland, CT and his son, Russell J. Miner and his wife, Tina, of Coventry, CT. He is also survived by two younger siblings: a sister, Catherine Haker and her husband, Werner, of Brevard, NC and a brother, Philip Miner, and his wife, Gilda, of Ellenboro, NC.
In Bernie's final days, the whippets in his home repaid his love many times over. He drew comfort in the presence of Weasel, Red, Woodford, Sassy, EekumSeekum, Joy, Puffin, Leen Quizzeen, Macaroni, Starling, Caspian, Lakie and Gooseberry. Old granddam Loon became his ever-present companion, guarding him during sleep, dispelling his hallucinations and keeping him warm, her gentle kisses offering solace until his last breath.
The family would like to express gratitude to Dr. Joy Antonelle de Marcaida and her staff at the David & Rhoda Chase Family Movement Disorders Center for their decades of care and support. Much appreciation to the Visiting Nurses of Vernon Hospice Care team, as well, for their support and comfort during Bernie's final illness.
Friends, family and co-workers are welcome during visiting hours at the Manchester Funeral Home, 142 East Center St, Manchester, CT 06040 on Thursday, November 4, 2021 at 142 East Center Street, Manchester, CT from 5:00pm to 7:00 pm. Interment in the family plot in Manchester's East Cemetery will be private, at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations in Bernie's name may be made to the Whippet Health Foundation, Inc. c/o Susan Bolduc, Treasurer, 31 North St., Blandford, MA 01008. To leave a memory or
message of condolence, please visit www.manchesterfh.com