Bernard “Bernie” Anthony Corona, 90, of East Hartford, loving husband of 66 years of the late Louise (Thibodeau) Corona, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at Hartford Hospital after a brief illness.

Born in Hartford on September 30, 1930, a son of the late Bernard S. and Antoinette (Tedesco) Corona, he had been a resident of East Hartford since 1960. Bernie was a graduate of Bulkeley High School in Hartford, class of 1949 where he was a star catcher for the varsity baseball team. He would continue his playing career for the Hartford Cubs of the Twilight Baseball League and was voted the league MVP in 1949.

Bernie proudly served his country for a total of 39 years serving four years in the U.S. Air Force earning the rank of SSGT. He served overseas in Germany and French Morocco during the Korean conflict. In June 1955, he embarked on a career as a full time Army Reserve member at the 76th Division (Training) in West Hartford. He retired with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Four on September 30, 1990.

During his career, he earned the following military awards: The Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medals, Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Occupation Medal Germany, National Defense Service Medals, Armed Forces Reserve Medals, NCO Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Medal. Bernie spent his retirement years as a veterans’ advocate, providing guidance and assistance to those seeking veterans’ benefits.

He was a Disabled American Veteran Chapter 12 volunteer driver for sixteen years providing veterans rides to their medical appointments at the VA medical facility in Newington. Annually he provided transportation to homeless veterans to Stand Down, which was held yearly in Rocky Hill.

Bernie was a member of the following organizations: Life Member of Disabled American Veterans Unknown Soldier Chapter 12 of Greater Hartford and Commander from 2002-2009 and Adjutant 2002-2018; Life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2083 East Hartford; Life Member of the American Legion Post 77 East Hartford; Life Member Association of the United States Army and past President of the Connecticut chapter; Life member of the Reserve Officer Association; the Connecticut Army Retiree Council; the East Hartford Patriotic Commission for 19 years; and the East Hartford Commission on Services for Persons with Disabilities.

Bernie was the driving force and the primary motivator in the establishment and mission of the East Hartford Veterans’ Affairs Commission, was its first chairman, and held that position for ten years. Bernie was a sports enthusiast and was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and the UConn Women’s basketball team. Most of all Bernie was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle whose greatest pleasure was spending time with his entire family.

Bernie is survived by a son, Robert Corona and his wife Shirley of Liberty Hill, TX; two daughters, Lynne Potter and her husband Rich of New Braunfels, TX, Audrey Thibodeau and her husband Jeffrey of Hebron, CT; his sister, Madeline Corona of East Hartford; nine cherished grandchildren, Elisabeth, Meagan, Aimee, Sarah, Matthew, Daniel, Brooke, Kobi, and Cali; and nine adored great grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers-in-law, Maurice and wife Mary Jane of Palm Beach Florida, and Paul Thibodeau of Griswold; two nephews and a niece, Richard Bailey and his wife Joyce of Marlborough, Ronald Bailey and his wife June of Marlborough, and Patricia Stombrauskas of East Hartford; and many dear friends.

Besides his beloved wife and parents, Bernie was predeceased by a daughter, Cynthia Gagnon of East Hartford, and a sister, Josephine Bailey of East Hartford.

Funeral service will be Monday (September 27, 2021) with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 am at St. Christopher Church of St. Edmund Campion Parish, 538 Brewer Street, East Hartford. Burial with military honors will follow at Veteran’s Memorial Field-Silver Lane Cemetery, East Hartford. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church on Monday morning.

Bernie’s family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday afternoon (September 26, 2021) from 2 – 5 pm at the D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Due to the ongoing health crisis, everyone is required to please wear a face mask and follow all of the regulations of the town, church, and funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bernie’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 200 Executive Blvd S, Suite 4B, Southington, CT 06489 or the DAV–Unknown Soldier Chapter #12, P.O. Box 280281, East Hartford, CT 06128. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopoeh.com.