Bernard R. Spirk, Sr.

Bernard R. Spirk, Sr., 96, of Bethlehem Twp. died peacefully at his home of more than 65 years on Sunday January 29, 2023. Born January 18, 1927, in his home in Bethlehem, PA to the late

Herman and Caroline (Newherz) Spirk. He was the husband of the late Sylvia J. (Iasiello) Spirk for 69 years, married July 7, 1951.

Bernie and Sylvia were 1945 graduates of Fountain Hill High School. Bernard was a WWII Army Air Force veteran serving in the South Pacific. He was a 1951 graduate of Lehigh University. He spent a great portion of his working career employed at the Bethlehem Steel Company, starting part-time during high school and college until his retirement in 1984.

He and Sylvia had eight children. Nothing was more important to Bernard than his family. One of his most favorite things to do was to brag about his family. He rarely missed his children’s and grandchildren’s events. He followed their school-aged achievements and supported them in their adulthood endeavors.

Bernie was an avid golfer and a long-time member of the Bethlehem Steel Club in Hellertown. He had a hole-in-one four times, two on Steel Club’s Hill #5, one on Steel Club’s Championship #4, and one on #13 at Locust Valley in Coopersburg. Bernard was active in his church and the community. He was a member of Serra Club for religious vocations. He was a volunteer in the Northampton County prison ministries. He was a Sustaining member of the National Republican Committee. He was a Junior Achievement mentor. He was a President of the Sacred Heart PTA, Holy Name Society, and the Notre Dame High School Booster Club. Survived by children - Bernard, Jr., Michael (Susan), Janice, Patricia (John), Mary Beth (Margaret), David (Ann), Francis (Patricia), Robert (Alicia); grandchildren – Bernard, III (Leslie), Jenna (Anthony), Emily (Joseph), Meredith (Patrick), Matthew (Christine), Kelly (Michael), Katie (Todd), Isabelle, Sarah (Derick), Ian (Nancy), Grace, Jill, Thomas, Steven, Amelia, Meghan (Michael), Allison, Lindsey (Robert), Robert; great grandchildren – Madison, Benjamin, Vienna, Charlotte, Harper, Lincoln, Mila, Cole, Miranda, Delaney, Sylvie, Beverly, Cecelia, Henrietta, Olivia, William, Nora, Paige, Collin, Addison, Sadie, Nathan, Luke; and many nieces and nephews.

He was pre-deceased by his wife and parents; siblings – brothers Herman, Albert, and Elmer and sisters Caroline Nelson and Elsie Pribula; daughter-in-law Marsha.

Bernard was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bethlehem Twp. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 11 am. A viewing will be held at the church 9:30am to 11am prior to the funeral. Interment will follow at a later date at the privacy of the family.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Bernard’s memory to Sacred Heart Church 1817 1st Street, Bethlehem, PA 18020. His arrangements are entrusted to Connell Funeral Home.

Condolences may be offered online at www. connellfuneral.com