Obituary of John F. Bernardone

John Bernardone It is with deep sorrow, we mourn the sudden passing of John Francis Bernardone on February 15, 2025 at age 67 in Forest Hills, NY. John had many interests and touched many lives with his generosity, kindness, intelligence, in-depth knowledge of music and sports, and keen sense of humor. John is predeceased by his parents, Jack and Mary Bernardone. He is survived by his close friend Rana Dunn, his three siblings Annemarie, James and Paul, Annemarie’s husband Robert Clark and daughter Julia, James’s partner Christine Cardamone, son Nicolas Bernardone and wife Krista, and their children Evelyn, Rosalie and Alexander and son David Bernardone. He is also survived by countless friends and associates that he coached and mentored over the years, and by so many who admired him. John was born in Brooklyn, NY on March 1, 1957 and spent the majority of his life in Forest Hills, where he was well-known throughout the community, and a mentor to many. John was a student athlete and sportsman. During high school at Archbishop Molloy, he ran varsity track competing in New York citywide and regional track meets. His love of sports carried into adulthood where he was a beloved coach of local CYO sports teams, leading his basketball teams on to many victories. John had an encyclopedic knowledge of sports facts and figures; he followed sports on TV and was a passionate enthusiast who enjoyed discussing diverse players and teams with friends. John graduated from Queens College and was admired for his intellect. A lover of fine arts, he regularly attended the ballet at Lincoln Center. He was also an enthusiast of rock music from the late 60s and early 70s. He knew all the groups, the musicians, albums, and music from that period, and captivated his friends with his knowledge and with stories of attending concerts back-in-the day. He spent several years as an executive recruiter, helping clients find jobs and fulfilling careers, and eventually he started his own recruiting firm, Fillmore Consulting. John was a person of deep faith and a Lector at Our Lady of Mercy, where he regularly attended Mass and where he went to elementary school. He was an active leader in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and devoted much of his time to preserving its history and spirit. Among his many contributions, he played a crucial role in starting and sustaining the Queens NY Share-A-Thons, which have helped thousands over the years. His commitment was guided by his deep faith in the program, and his influence was powerful, but never loud nor boastful. In every role he took on, his passion shone through, always leading with kindness, wisdom, and an open heart. Through his love, service, and example, he ensured that the message of hope and transformation would continue to change lives, just as it had changed his own. Whatever his endeavors, John demonstrated passion and loyalty. He has left us too soon. We will miss his wit and gentle nature, talking about sports or music, or just shooting the breeze with him.