Bernard Bowling

PRINCETON – Bernard Bowling, 71, of Princeton, died Thursday, December 22, 2011 at Princeton Community Hospital. Born December 29, 1939 at Rhodell, WV he was the son of Bernice Shrewsbury Bowling of Matoaka and the late Emmitt Bowling. Bernard lived his childhood in Matoaka. During his high school years he was recognized as a standout basketball player. He married his high school sweetheart, Dolores, in 1958. The couple moved to Millford, MA, where they raised their three children. In 1979, the family moved back to West Virginia where Bernard started his own construction company and became well known as a master craftsman. This talent later led him to forge The Wood Shop along with his two sons, which is now an architectural moulding and millwork shop. Bernard's joy in life was spending time with his family. He was the happiest when all of the family was together for holiday gatherings and summer cookouts. He loved to work his chosen trade, to mow his farm and to garden. He was an avid sportsman and he enjoyed fishing and hunting. He especially loved watching WVU and Virginia Tech football with his sons, a Celtics/Lakers, and a Red Sox/Yankees rivalry. Bernard spent his last days content in his life doing exactly what made him happy- working in his shop, being with his family and looking forward to eating a smokeless Christmas ham. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by one brother, Emmitt Bowling. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 53 years, Dolores Preservati Bowling of the home; one daughter, Lisa Preservati and Rick of Hopedale, MA; two sons, Brian Bowling and his wife Lesia and Eric Bowling and his wife Melissa all of Princeton; five grandchildren, Matthew Bowling, Billy Preservati, Chad Bowling, Erika Bowling and Sara Bowling; two brothers, Tracey Bowling of Roanoke, VA and Doug Bowling and his wife Kay of Rock; and two sisters, Phyllis Wimmer of Winter Haven, FL and Patty Graham of North Carolina. A private funeral service was conducted Saturday, December 24, 2011 at the Rowland H. Bailey Funeral Chapel of the Bailey-Kirk Funeral with Father Paul Wharton officiating. Entombment followed at Resthaven Memorial Park Mausoleum in Princeton. The family requests memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6931 Arlington Rd., 2nd floor, Bethesda, MD 20814 or to the Trichotillomania Learning Center, 207 McPherson St., Suite H, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.bailey-kirk.com.

Tributes

Bernard Bowling

December 22, 2011