Bernice (Tyson) Bresadola

Bernice (Tyson) Bresadola, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at Iroquois Nursing Home at the age of 87. Born on April 4, 1927, in Winters, Texas, to Orlena Maddox and William Dixon Tyson, she graduated valedictorian of her class at Santo (Texas) High School and went on to study nursing in Fort Worth. At a USO event, she met Lt. Henry L. Bresadola who was stationed in Oklahoma and the two were married in December, 1945. For the next 30 years, they made their home in Solvay where Henry was a banker and Bernice a full-time homemaker to their five children. During that time, she volunteered at her children’s schools, St. Cecilia’s parish, the Solvay-Geddes Youth Center and numerous charitable organizations. In 1977, Bernice and Henry relocated to Florida, first in Hollywood, then in Bradenton. There she was active in St. Joseph’s parish where she was a Eucharistic Minister and helped with projects to aid migrant children. Henry passed away in 1999, and in 2006 Bernice married Francis O’Grady of New City, NY, who survives her. In addition to her parents and first husband, Bernice was also predeceased by her son, Henry L. Bresadola, Jr., brother, Paul D. Tyson, and great-grandchildren, Bianca Bresadola and Oliver Walsh. Bernice is survived by two daughters, Cecilia (John) Sindoni of Cicero and Mary (Bruce Cherner) of Acton, MA; two sons, Bruce E. (Victoria) Bresadola of Liverpool and David J. (Terri) Bresadola of Gilbert, AZ; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Susan Bresadola of St. Petersburg, FL. The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care and kind treatment that Bernice received at Iroquois Nursing Home, especially from the fourth floor staff. She was treated with great dignity and love by her “family” there. A funeral mass in celebration of Bernice’s life will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, July 5, 2014 at St. John the Baptist Church, 406 Court Street, Syracuse, NY. Entombment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery Mausoleum, Dewitt. Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 9:00 to 10:15 am on Saturday at St. John the Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Catholic Charities of Onondaga County, 1654 West Onondaga Street, Syracuse, NY 13204 or Bright Horizons Foundation for Children, 200 Talcott Avenue South, Watertown, MA 02472.

Bernice (Tyson) Bresadola

April 4, 1927 - July 1, 2014