Don Bernardi was born March 3, 1957, at the old Trinity Hospital near Humboldt State University and passed away December 17, 2024, in Eureka. His wife of 36 years, Angela, was by his side. Don is survived by his wife, Angela, and their son, Nathan, both of Arcata; his sister, Linda (Bernardi) Kretsinger, of Eugene, Oregon; and Linda’s two children, Jana Seiler, and Jeff Kretsinger. His mother-in-law and sister-in law, Carol Dellabama and Beth Dellabama, both of Arcata, survive him as well.

Don developed many long friendships over the years: Don and Julie Kaufman, Don Johnson, Don Miller, Randy Willis and John Bullwinkel. If I’ve overlooked anyone, I apologize now.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Gino and Dorothy Bernardi, as well as his brothers-in-law, Russ Dellabama and Steve Kretsinger.

Don enjoyed everything that the North Coast had to offer, from foraging for mushrooms, fishing, crabbing, clamming, hunting and backpacking in the early days. Spending time at Redwood Creek with his close friends, Karl and Tedi Jensen, was a joy for him. Don was known as the “King of the BBQ” because of his culinary skill. He taught several friends to process and can the tuna that they had caught!

Don was a graduate of Pacific Union Elementary School, and a 1975 graduate of Arcata High School.

Don always knew he would follow in his dad’s footsteps by driving truck, and he made a career of hauling wood products all over the north state and southern Oregon. Don worked for Alto Brothers for a few years in the late ‘70s, then spend the next 37 years with Bettendorf Trucking. Hauling logs for Hank Combs was most enjoyable for him because it was what his dad, Gino, did, and what his dad had taught him to do so many years ago.

Thank you, Angela, Nathan and Linda for the privilege of writing these last words for my friend and sharing all that Don meant to me.

There will be a celebration of life in the late spring of 2025. You will be missed, brother.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. Rest in peace.

###

The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Don Bernardi’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.