REES, Bernard

85, passed away peacefully at home in Fergus, Ontario, on May 22, 2026 after a 10-year journey with cancer, with his wife Debbie Rees by his side. Born in 1940 and raised mainly in Southern Ontario, Bernie will be remembered as a quiet but warm man with a wonderful and wry sense of humour that remained with him right until his final days. A self-professed gear head, he loved nothing more than tinkering with his cars, a long drive with friends or family, and was always an adventurous traveller. His family will fondly remember both his humour and his habit of always seeming to have a “new car” every time they saw him. Even into his eighth decade, Bernie was open to growth, reflection, and exploring life’s deeper questions, and he also taught himself to cook in just the last few years, which he really enjoyed. Bernie was predeceased by his parents and his dear sister Lynne. He is survived by his wife Debbie Rees; daughter Julie Marchioli (Dino) of Oakville, Ontario; son David Rees (Gillian) of Stratford, Ontario; and his three grandsons, Charlie Rees, Robbie Marchioli and Ryan Marchioli. He is also survived by his niece Kelley Pillizi (Dino and son Rees) of Libertyville, Illinois, and nephew David “Duke” Gibbard (daughter Kellyn) of Memphis, Tennessee. In Bernie’s own words “Bernie was here, and then he wasn’t. The end.” He will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him.