Bernard A. Puglisi

Bernard A. Puglisi, 81, USMC, Major, Retired (1966-1980), of Champaign, IL, formerly of Rochester, NY, passed into eternal life on Saturday, August 3, 2024.

Bernard was born on May 31, 1943, in Rochester, NY to Dr. Bernard S. and Mary Puglisi. He married the love of his life, Mary Gorski, on August 11, 1979, at Exaltation of the Holy Cross Catholic Church. He is survived by his wife Mary, son Bernard T. Puglisi and sisters Mary Ann Martinez and Teresa Puglisi.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Andrew Puglisi, and fellow Marine pilots Lt. Robert Kuhlman, 1st Lt. Thomas C. Satterlee, 2nd Lt. Warren R. Brundage, and 2nd Lt. Walter W. Lubbe, Jr. whom he never forgot.

Bernard attended St. Monica Catholic Grade School and McQuaid Jesuit High School in Rochester, NY, Hamilton College in Clinton, NY, and the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, IL.

In 1965, after graduating from Hamilton College, he flew to Ireland where he bought a Triumph motorcycle on which he rode approximately 4,000 km throughout Europe camping on the side of the road and staying in hostels, knowing at the time that when he returned to the U.S. he would face the Vietnam draft. Upon returning home, he wanted to "serve with the best" and he felt that going into combat with the Marines would be the best option.

In 1966, Bernard left for Quantico, VA for officer candidate school, then to Pensacola, FL to train to be a Naval Flight Officer. He received his wings at Naval Air Station Glynco in Brunswick, GA, then learned bombing techniques in an old Douglas A-4 Skyhawk in Stanford, FL. Ultimately, his training culminated at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in NC and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA to learn how to fly the Grumman A-6 Intruder. Bernard spent a few months in Okinawa, Japan before flying into Da Nang, Vietnam. The experience he endured there never left him and he considered it an honor to have served with so many fine Marines.

Bernard took the law school admission test (LSAT) in Da Nang, an active warzone at the time, wearing a flak jacket, helmet, and a .45. When he returned home, he attended the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, IL. After graduating from law school, he worked as an Assistant States Attorney in Vermilion County, IL handling all of the countys civil work. After a brief stint as Assistant Champaign City Attorney, he entered private practice in Champaign, IL and established his own law firm with his wife, Mary, until retiring in 2016, after 41 years of practice. During his career he argued cases before the Fourth District Appellate Court, the Illinois Supreme Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

He took great pleasure in having his sons read state court opinions that cited cases he litigated as precedent. He teased his two sisters endlessly, perfected his impression of Curly (3 Stooges), and relied upon the love of his wife Mary to build a successful practice and loving family. His wry sarcasm and imperturbable demeanor will be missed by all those that sought his counsel.

Please join his family in sharing memories, photos and videos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, from 9-10:30am at St. Matthew Catholic Church 1303 Lincolnshire Dr. Champaign, IL. A mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11am. Bernard will be interred at St. Mary Cemetery in Champaign, IL.