Help Bernie's Kids After His Tragic Loss

Bernie Isabelle died of a heart attack the week of Feb 17, 2025. He was my ex-husband and father of our two college-aged children, Ben, 22, and Claire, 20.

Ben and Claire were both away at college, and had not heard from their dad since Valentines Day, Friday, February 14, 2025. Growing increasingly concerned, and after many unanswered text messages and phone calls to their dad, Ben had asked Bernie's dear friend, Dick, to check on his dad for him on Thursday, February 20, 2025. Tragically, Dick found that Bernie had died.

According to emergency personnel at the scene, Claire's 9-year-old Australian Shepherd, Max, was not looking good, and Bernie's 3-year-old German Shepherd, Venus, appeared fine. Bernie's two dogs were alive that night. Rescue workers fed and watered the dogs before funeral staff took Bernie's body to the funeral home.

On Friday February 21st, after making all the funeral arrangements, I went with a family member to clean up Bernie’s home, and check on the dogs, before Ben would return home on break from Vermont University at Castleton and go to his dad's house at 5pm. Much to our horror and sadness, we found Max had died overnight, and poor Venus was alone and scared.

Ben and I drove to be with Claire at the University of New England in Biddeford Maine, that weekend, to process this tragic news. Ben and I brought Venus to our home on Sunday February 23rd, and she has been with us ever since. I am working with Potter's Angels Rescue to find Venus a new forever home. If you would like to consider having Venus be part of your family, please submit an adoption application at www.pottersangelsrescue.org

The grief and overwhelm at losing their dad, their dogs and their dad’s home has been a rough road all around for these young adults, Ben and Claire, and will continue to be. It has been challenging and stressful for Ben and Claire to figure out how to fund their education costs and financial needs. With no will or resources remaining in Bernie’s estate for Ben and Claire, the future is additionally daunting right now for them.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to Bernie's children's education fund to help lighten the financial burden on these two incredible young people.

Your Bernie stories, memories, condolences and contributions may be sent to his children at: 2 Owen Dr., Barre, VT 05641 or cbellvt at gmail.com.

Thank you.

Cassie Bell

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Barre, VT: Bernard (Bernie) Bertrand Isabelle of Barre, passed away unexpectedly, Thursday, February 20, 2025, at his home, at the age of 66 years.

Bernie was born April 4, 1958, in Barre, VT, to Arthur and Lorraine Isabelle. After graduating from Spaulding High School, Bernie worked in restaurants for much of his life, including in Barre, VT, Bar Harbor ME and Waitsfield/Warren VT. He moved to the Mad River Valley, VT in the 1980’s and worked at various restaurants, including JJ’s Pub, Sugarbush Resort’s The Grill Down Under restaurant as Manager; Baker Brothers as a wine salesman and then created and co-owned John Egan’s Big World Pub & Grille in 1994 until 2010 at 2 different locations: the original Madbush Falls site & motel and then at the final spot at the corner of VT100 and Rte. 17. Bernie’s skill at the ‘front of the house’ was where he thrived, and he prided himself on hiring the best wait and bar staff in the Valley.

Bernie worked for the last fifteen years with Pride Support Services as a home provider for traumatic brain injury until summer of 2024.

Bernie married Cassie Bell in 2000. They had two beautiful children together, Benjamin in 2002 and Claire in 2004, both of whom Bernie was so proud of. Bernie dearly loved his children, his German Shepherd dogs, his friends, LA Rams, and golf in the early years.

Bernie is survived by his son, Benjamin Isabelle and daughter, Claire Isabelle, ex-wife Cassie Bell and his beloved German Shepherd, Venus. He is also survived by his brothers: Guy (Rita), Claude (Cindy) and Tim; and many nieces and nephews. Bernie was predeceased by his parents and his sister Pierrette Isabelle Klauder.

Graveside Burial: May 31, 2025, 10 am – 11 am, St. Sylvester Cemetery, 22 Websterville Rd, Barre, VT. Celebration of Life: May 31, 2025, 1 pm – 4 pm at the Old Labor Hall, 46 Granite St., Barre, VT.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to Bernie’s children’s education fund at Go Fund Me site: https://www.gofundme.com/manage/help-bernies-kids-after-his-tragic-loss/donations Your Bernie stories, memories, condolences and contributions may be sent to his children at: 2 Owen Dr., Barre, VT 05641 or cbellvt at gmail.com. Thank you to: www.pruneaupollifuneralhome.com