Bernard Michael (Bernie) O'Leary, age 74 of the Vermilion Reservation – Tower died peacefully Thursday, February 9, 2017 in his home, surrounded by his family. He was born February 20, 1942 in Cloquet, MN the son of Thomas and Susan (Day) O'Leary. He grew up on the Bois Forte Reservation, attending Nett Lake and Orr Schools. His family moved to Hermantown in 1956, where he attended Hermantown Schools and Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College. Bernard married Lorraine Krause on October 27, 1965 in Duluth and they made their home in Duluth prior to moving to the Bois Forte Vermilion Reservation in 2008. He was employed as a Journeyman Millwright, Mechanical Maintenance Coordinator for Georgia Pacific; retiring in 2002 after 28 years of service. Bernard owned a handyman service from 2002 until he moved to the Vermilion Reservation where he became fitness trainer at the Vermilion Wellness Center. He was a member of St. Martin's Catholic Church in Tower and had a lifelong devotion to the Virgin Mary. Bernard enjoyed fishing, hunting, travelling, boating, yard work, dining out, and had an amazing love for being in the woods. He cherished time spent with his family.

Bernard is survived by his wife: Lorraine; children: Kelsey (Teresa) O'Leary of Duluth, David O'Leary of Tower, and Michelle O'Leary of Duluth; siblings: Delores O'Leary of Las Vegas, William O'Leary of Duluth, and Roger (Paula) O'Leary of Duluth; sister and brother-in-law: Kathy and Roger Vanderscheuren of Hoyt Lakes; grandchildren: Thomas, Allan, Kaitlyn, Tyler, Brittany, and Hannah; great-grandchildren: Brooklyn, Keegan, Henley, Mason, Timothy, and Nova; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends, all of whom he loved dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Thomas and Donald, and sister: Joanne.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday, February 13, 2017 in Bauman's Vermilion Funeral Home in Tower. Visitation will continue Tuesday, February 14th from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 Mass of Christian Burial in St. Martin's Catholic Church in Tower. Reverend Father Drew Braun, Celebrant. Interment will be in the Bois Forte Cemetery.

Family services provided by Bauman-Vermilion, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower. To share condolences online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com .

Visitation 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ,Monday, February 13, 2017
Bauman Vermilion Funeral Home
501 Main Street Tower, MN 55790
Visitation 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM ,Tuesday, February 14, 2017
St. Martin's Catholic Church
107 North Third Street Tower, MN 55792
Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 AM ,Tuesday, February 14, 2017
St. Martin's Catholic Church
107 North Third Street Tower, MN 55792
Interment 3:00 PM ,Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Bois Forte Cemetery - Nett Lake
Hwy 65 Nett Lake, MN 55772