Bernard J. Bingel (Bernie, a.k.a. Bink to his high school classmates), 70, of Endicott, NY passed away on July 10, 2016 after a courageous battle with progressive heart disease. He is survived by his wife Elsa; daughter Lori and partner Erica Sullivan of Flushing, NY; son Justin and wife Tina of Gainesville, VA; son Jeremy and wife April of Endicott, NY; grandchildren Cameron, Madison, Kassidy, Kenley, and Brody; brother Gary and wife Janet of Morrisonville, NY; brother Brian and wife Mary of Lyon Mountain, NY; and five nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Walter and Leona Bingel, of Lyon Mountain NY. Bernie received his Associate Degree in Applied Science from SUNY Canton in 1965. He then joined the General Electric Missile and Armament Department in Burlington, VT. From April 1967 to October 1968 he served in the US Naval Reserves as an Interior Communications Electrician aboard the USS Yosemite (AD-19). On June 13th, 1970 Bernie married his wife Elsa in Burlington, VT. In 1974, he graduated with honors from the University of Vermont with a BS Degree in Manufacturing and Management Engineering. Following graduation, he continued his career in aerospace at GE in Burlington, VT. In 1990, Bernie transferred to GE/ Westover as an Aerospace and Defense Program Manager until his retirement from BAE Systems in 2008. His last assignment was managing the Electronic Flight Control System for the Boeing C-17 Military Transport Aircraft Program. He was extremely proud of his involvement in that program and to have his “fingerprints” on hundreds of millions of dollars of world class aerospace and defense products. Bernie was active in community theater, including both EPAC and St. Anthony Players. He was one of the “dirty dozen” who gutted and rebuilt the old Towne Theater on Washington Avenue, now known as the Robert Eckert Theater. Bernie and the St. Anthony Players opened EPAC with their presentation of “Visions of Vaudeville”, where he MC’d the show in the character of WC Fields. Bernie was also a member of St. Anthony’s Church for several years and was an active member of the church choir. Since his retirement he enjoyed watching baseball and was an avid Yankee fan. He also enjoyed puttering around the home, and spending time with his grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be offered Wednesday at 11 am at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 306 Odell Avenue, Endicott. The family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott, Tuesday from 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to make a donation in Bernie’s memory to the charity of one’s choice.