David Maurice Bernier

David Maurice Bernier

Sanford Native, High School Class President, Decorated U.S Air Force Veteran

SANFORD, ME – David M. Bernier, 61, born May 14, 1964, of Sanford, Maine, died March 14, 2026.

A son of Maurice and Theresa (Roy) Bernier, Dave attended St. Thomas School and graduated from Sanford High school in 1982, as the Class President. He was also named Sanford’s 1982 Teen of the Year, sponsored by the Elks Lodge. In 1988, he graduated from Wayland Baptist University, Wichita Falls, Texas, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Management. In 1995, he graduated from Strayer University, Washington, DC, with a Master of Business Administration degree, and from Columbus University with a Doctorate (Ph. D) in Business Administration and Health Care Policy.

In 1982, Dave enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served tours at McClellan AFB, Sacramento, California; Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan; and Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, Texas, concluding with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He proudly served on the Honor Guard Team and provided military honors at events such as Dallas Cowboys’ Football Games, parades, and most importantly, at funerals for hundreds of veterans. In 1988, Dave was commissioned as an officer, was promoted to Second Lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps and embarked on a successful career as a Healthcare Administrator. He was subsequently assigned to Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, Texas; Rhein-Main AB, Frankfurt, Germany; Andrews AFB and Bolling AFB in Washington, DC, culminating his career at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas.

While assigned in Frankfurt, Germany, then-Lieutenant Bernier was a medical aircrew member and Director of Operations for the 2^nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, responsible for the transfer of military patients to/from mobile wartime hospitals and U.S Navy ships in Southwest Asia, Africa, Europe and to/from the United States. He was responsible for the repatriation of American Hostages from Beirut, Lebanon, most notable Edward Tracy, Alaan Steen, and Terry Anderson. Dave also coordinated repatriation flights for Afghanistan Freedom Fighters to receive continued medical care in Europe and the United States. While assigned to Malcom Grow Medical Center in Washington, DC, then Captain Bernier commanded the second largest enlisted and personnel squadron in the U.S. Air Force, consisting of over 1,200 airman and civilians, and he served as Executive Officer. He was hand-selected by the U.S. Air Force Surgeon General, promoted to Major, and served as the Congressional and Public Affairs Officer and Chief, Legislative Division where he navigated the intricacies of the legislative process on Capital Hill and prepared the Surgeon General and other General Officers for testifying before congress. In 1998, Major Bernier was presented with the Regents Award by the American College of Healthcare Executives selected amongst 1,200 fellow administrators for outstanding performance. Major Bernier culminated his 20+ year career as Dean of the Defense Medical Readiness Training Institute in San Antonio Texas, where he was responsible for a tri-service staff from the Army, Navy and Air Force, responsible for preparing physicians and nurses for wartime medicine.

Amongst his numerous decorations, Major Bernier was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (with One Oak Leaf Cluster), the Aerial Achievement Medal for service during Operation Desert Storm for sustained performance in flight, the Air Force Commendation Medal (with “V” device), the Air Force Achievement Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Combat Readiness Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Outstanding Unit and Organizational Excellence Awards.

Following Major Bernier’s retirement from an honorable and decorated military career in 2002, he purchased the 203-site Alafia River RV Resort in Riverview, Florida, where he increased financials 40% within the first year, purchased a bus and offered residents day trips to various Florida landmarks. In 2004, he sold the resort and retired to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he worked as a Broker Associate with Balistreri Realty, selling luxury oceanfront homes. When the market crash of 2007 occurred, he decided to return to healthcare and was selected amongst 72 candidates as the CEO of Lake Chelan Community Hospital in Chelan, Washington. After 2 years, he returned to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In 2015, he relocated to Sanford to care for his mother.

Dave was a communicant of St. Anthony Parish in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and St. Therese of Lisieux Parish at Holy Family Church in Sanford. To strengthen his faith, he attended a Cursillo Retreat in 2015. Dave was also an active volunteer with the Big Brothers program and local soup kitchens. As a dedicated Class President, he developed a comprehensive website and Facebook page, hosted Class Reunions every 5 years, and loved reminiscing with his classmates. Dave loved people, he would help anyone, and he would give the shirt off of his back to put a smile on someone’s face.

Dave had a passion for travel and toured extensively around Europe, Asia and the United States. He has been on over 20 cruise ships, visiting every Island in the Caribbean, as well as Mexico and Central America.

Prior to his distinguished military career, Dave worked at Computer vision, Losson Shoes, Shaw’s Supermarket, and Bernier Egg farms, all in Sanford. At the age of 12, he started working as a paperboy for the Portland Press Herald, and rode his bicycle year-round delivering papers over a 2-mile route, never missing a day in 4 years-regardless of rain or snow.

Dave is predeceased by his brother, Marc, who at the age of 32, lost a 6-month battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 1993; his father, Maurice, who died at the age of 67 in 1998 of Multiple Myeloma Cancer; and his loving babies, Zachary (a sheltie) and Precious (a smart feline). Dave is survived by his loving mother, Theresa, of Sanford; his beautiful sister, Rachel, of Wells, Maine; an incredible brother, James (Jim) Bernier of Sanford, his loving sister-in-law, Carrie (Lamb) Hopkins, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 on Monday, March 30^th at Black Heald and Walker Funeral Home, located at 580 Main Street in Springvale.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Tuesday March 31^st at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, located at 66 North Avenue in Sanford.

At Dave’s request, please consider donating to Waban Projects, 5 Dunaway Drive, Sanford, Maine