Obituary of Bernard Del Rey

Bernard Del Rey, CPA, a devoted family and businessman, and former Mid-Island Rotary Club president, passed away on June 1, 2018 at the age of 66. Bernard was the founding partner of Del Rey, Tanzi & Gavin LLP

He went by many names: Dad, Pops, My Love, Babe, Uncle Bunny, Big Brother, Little Brother, Partner, Rotarian, Accountant, but titles meant nothing to him. He spread his love and devotion without reservation across family, friends, and his community.

He was a source of bottomless strength and counsel for family, friends, colleagues, and clients. His near-constant refrain upon receiving a request for guidance or referral was, "I know a guy." Not only did he know everyone, he liked everyone.

Born in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, Bernard was fifth of eight children to Silvio Del Rey and Concetta Rose Venazio. He married his high school love, Patricia Trapani, on August 20, 1972.

They lived in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, where their three children, Bernard, Christie, and Jason were born. In 1986, they moved to Eltingville, where Bernard became a partner with the accounting firm of Spinelli & Co. Bernard and Patricia raised their children on Wainwright Ave, and would live there together until Patricia's death from uterine cancer in 2004.

Following Patricia's passing, Bernard and his children created the PDR Foundation for the Study of Uterine Cancer. The PDR Foundation has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society (ACS) through annual fundraiser held on Staten Island. The foundation also supported the ACS Hope Lodge in Manhattan, a residence that offers no cost for cancer patients being treated in and around Manhattan.

On October 5, 2008, Bernard remarried to Marguerite Fiore, Esq., founder of Fiore Law Firm, PC, and fellow Rotarian. He would often refer to himself as a truly blessed man, having found two great loves. They made their home in Grymes Hill, hosting annual Christmas Eve celebrations, where the couple would cook for days in anticipation of welcoming dozens of family members, and friends. Wearing a Santa's hat in the bubbling kitchen, he was prone to smothering his grandchildren, nieces, and nephews with suffocating hugs and wet, loud kisses which they welcomed with eye rolls and giggles. He hugged with his eyes closed, fully committed to the embrace, tears often welling up from joy.

He loved to summer in Hampton Bays, near several of his sisters, where he and Marguerite maintained a home that he remodeled to fit as many rooms as possible to accommodate family from far and near, filling every square foot with beds. From a small private beach abutting Shinnecock Bay, he taught his grandchildren how to dig for clams, fish and kayak. He bought a paddle board and laughed, as he often did, with all of his being when his son-in-law challenged him to a race. In the summer weeks that neither he or family could use the home, he auctioned the property off to benefit the American Cancer Society.

When Hurricane Sandy devastated mid-Island communities, Bernard, along with other Rotarians, mobilized to bring immediate relief through fundraising and aiding affected homeowners to remove debris and rebuild. He did not just delegate, he rebuilt with his own hands.

In spite of his strongly held conviction to not seek out recognition for his charitable work, in January 2015, Bernard received the Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Award --co-sponsored by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and the Staten Island Advance – in the established category. It was a recognition for his outstanding contributions to the Staten Island community.

He was predeceased by his mother and father; first wife, Patricia, and younger brother Michael and his sister, Carole.  He is survived by his wife Marguerite, three children, eight grandchildren (Anabella, Nicholas, Oliver, Leo, Liam, Sebastian, Elliot, and Scarlett); his brother (Steven Del Rey, D.D.S.) four sisters (Loretta Thompson; Rita Del Rey; Judith Grimaldi, Esq., and Doreen Puliafico) and countless other family members through blood and family members by choice.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society in his honor. Bernard tirelessly supported that organization and it is close to our hearts.  And also, please make donations to Mid-Island Rotary Club of Staten Island, New York.  C/O George Dougherty, 406 Forest Avenue, Staten Island, NY  10301.