Bernard "Bernie" J. Pieczynski, age 87 of Manistee, Michigan died peacefully on Sunday, April 19, 2015 at West Shore Medical Center in Manistee, MI.

He was born April 30, 1927 in Muskegon, Michigan and was the son of the late Bernard C. and Katherine (Swiatlowski) Pieczynski. Bernard married Mary C. Vida on January 30, 1954 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee. She preceded him in death on August 22, 2008.

Bernard was a graduate of St. Joseph High School and joined the Navy on February 20, 1945, was discharged on July 30, 1946 at the end of WWII. He was employed during his lifetime at the Glen of Michigan, Manistee Drop Forge, the Kroger Store and later at Bottrell Sales & Service. He established Bernie's IGA grocery store at 306 Cypress Street in Manistee in 1955 and owned and operated it, along with his wife Mary until 1977.

During his lifetime he was involved with the Manistee National Forest Festival, coached and sponsored various baseball teams in the community, was a member of the American Legion Post #10 of Manistee and was awarded Citizen of the year by the V.F.W. in 1969.

He was an avid fisherman and hunter and also enjoyed snowmobiling, golfing, bowling and woodworking. He also looked forward to vacationing in Hawaii where he and his wife Mary established many long-term friendships.

Bernie was a communicant of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Manistee. He was supportive of Manistee Catholic Central School all of his life and Bernard and his wife Mary were inducted into the School's Hall of Fame in 2009.

He is survived by two daughters & a son in-law, Sandra Metheney of Scottville, MI, and Deborah and Timothy Adamski of Jenison, MI, his son & daughter in-law, Bernard A. and Debbie Sue Pieczynski of Manistee, MI, six grandchildren, Matthew (Becky) Metheney and Lee Metheney, Megan, Emily and Angela Adamski and Jennifer Pieczynski, one great grandson Dylan Metheney, his sister, Delphine Kott of Manistee, MI, two brothers & two sisters-in-law, Gerald & Leanne Pieczynski of Manistee, MI and Al & Elaine Pieczynski of East Lake, MI and a brother-in-law Harry Gregorski of Manistee, MI. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive him.
He was preceded in death by a sister Alice Gregorski and a brother-in-law, Kenneth Kott, his niece Carol Kott and a nephew John Kevin Kott.

Mass from The Order of Christian Funerals will be celebrated Saturday, April 25 2015 at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee with Reverend John McCracken celebrant. Burial will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery also in Manistee where members of the Manistee County United Veterans Council Ritual Team will conduct military honors.

Bernard's nephew Deacon Roger Gregorski will lead the Evening Prayer from The Order of Christian Funerals on Friday evening, April 24, 20015 at 8:00 PM at the Herbert Funeral Home in Manistee where friends may begin calling Friday evening after 6:00 PM. The family will be at the funeral home on Friday evening from 6:00 to 9:00 PM to receive friends.

The family will also gather and receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday morning from 10:00 AM until processing to the church at 10:40 AM.
Memorials will be established in Bernie's name for the Catholic Community of Manistee (St. Joseph Catholic Church). Envelopes are available at the funeral home.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.