Bernard L. Spardel

Bernard L. Spardel, age 90 of Wayne, passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2024. 

Bernard was born in Brooklyn, New York to Louis and Mary Spardel. He lived in Flushing Queens, New York, Plainfield, New Jersey, and Piscataway, New Jersey before moving to Wayne in 1973. 

Bernie received his formal education at City College of New York where he received a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering Degree with the Class of 1956. Shortly thereafter, he met the love of his life, Patricia Little, after a mutual friend set them up on a blind date. The two instantly hit it off and became engaged in two months and married in six months! They were married on April 1, 1961, in Calvert City, Kentucky before departing on their honeymoon to Gatlinburg, Tennessee and the Smokey Mountains. The couple enjoyed fifty-seven incredible years together until Pat’s passing in 2018.

Bernard was a chemical engineer for International Specialty Products Company in Wayne for 52 years before his retirement in 2008. His career saw him relocated several times – first from Kentucky to Plainfield, NJ where he and Pat were blessed with their first child, Steven. Then again to Piscataway, NJ where their family grew by three more with the birth of Karen, Michael, and Kurt. Finally, work transferred Bernard to Wayne where he and Pat settled in Packanack Lake. They purchased a house and made it their home for the next forty-nine years (apart from an 18-month assignment to Germany where Bernard was a Project Engineer for a chemical plant). 

Bernie and Pat loved to travel the world. Their time living in Germany gave their family the opportunity to explore Europe and visit the many different countries and cultures that it has to offer. They shared many fond memories during their travels and continued those trips long after returning to Packanack Lake in Wayne.  They traveled the United States as well, including Alaska, Hawaii, and much of the East Coast each fall.

St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church in Wayne was also a huge part of Bernie’s life. He was very involved in the St. Timothy’s Property Crew (better known as the Monday Morning Crew) as well as the Planning Committee for Church Expansion back in 2004. 

Bernie will be remembered for his great sense of humor and his determination to solve problems – especially those related to his lawn. Any lawn invaders were no match to his chemical skills!  He was a lifelong Mets fan, loved his flower gardens, and appreciated keeping the nature around him as God made it.  He also had a deep appreciation for Opera and Classical music as well as the crooners of the 50’s and 60’s.

Bernard is survived by his four children: Steven Spardel of Verona (Lisa), Karen Sajban of West Milford (Thomas), Michael Spardel of Butler, and Kurt Spardel of Little Egg Harbor; seven grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.  He is predeceased by his wife Patricia, brother Richard, and nephew Christopher.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The American Kidney Fund or the St. Timothy Laubscher Property Memorial Fund are welcome.