Obituary of Bernard Fox Jr.

Bernard (Bernie) Fox, Jr. “Mr. Fix-it” Bristol, NY Bernie Fox Jr., 71, of Bristol, passed away on August 17, 2010. Bernie was born in North Hornell, but attended school in Canandaigua, where he graduated in 1958. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Berlin. When he returned home, he went to work for Mobile Chemical in Macedon as a machinist and stayed until his retirement in 2001. After retirement, Bernie went to work for Gary Dutton, Land Surveyor. He also owned and operated a small engine repair business known as Bristol Mower Service from 1998 to 2009. Bernie enjoyed the outdoors and spent many happy hours on his motorcycle, kayaking, sailing and ice boating on Canandaigua Lake, and canoeing & camping in the Adirondacks. When his nephew joined Boy Scout Troop 29, Bernie returned to scouting and continued assisting Troop 29 with campouts and various projects. He very much enjoyed his trip with the Scouts to Gettysburg in April of this year. As a young man, Bernie spent many hours with his friends at the “Opium Den” on South Main Street in Canandaigua, working on cars and motorcycles, and building his own boats. Continuing his love of engines, Mr. Fox moved to steam engines and became involved with the New York Steam Engine Association, participating in the annual Pageant of Steam. When he wasn’t working on engines, he was studying dome construction, and eventually designed and built his own “dome” home. Bernie was a member of the United Church of Bristol, and a”regular” at the Bristol Trading Post. Bernie leaves behind his daughter Alison (Mike) D’Aurizio of Naples; granddaughters Emma and Cora D’Aurizio; his sisters Joan (James) Bellis of Penn Yan; Marilyn Brodie of California; and Julie Hoffman of Middlesex; brother-in-law Ray Howard of Geneva; his aunt Helen Fox of Bristol; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his son Shaun, his parents, Dorothy and Barney Fox, his sister Diane Howard, and two special pets, Bailey and Machi. Bernie was a man of few words, but was always there to help out a neighbor, friend, family member, animal, boy scout, or passerby. He will be missed. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 4, at 11 am at the United Church of Bristol, County Road 2 (Baptist Hill), with burial to follow in Evergreen Cemetery. There will be a reception following the service. Contributions will be welcomed in his name to the United Church of Bristol, Happy Tails Humane Society, Troop 29, B.S.A. or the NY Steam Engine Association.