September 2023 Farewell and Thank You, Dale Bernard!
Dale Bernard with Paqtnkek Chief Cory Julian and Bayside CEO Rose Paul.
Dale Bernard says he spent his last day on the job like every other – handling his many duties as Manager of Buildings at the award-winning Bayside Travel Centre at Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation.
Bernard is returning to his long-established roots as a plumbing contractor, a career that lasted 35 years before Covid halted many construction projects. That’s when he agreed to join Bayside to lead a team of ten taking care of the facility’s building needs and custodial care. Customers have been amazed at how staff kept the building spotless and safe during Covid, a practice that continues into Bayside’s fourth year of operation.
“I’ll certainly miss my co-workers, in fact I miss them a great deal already,” said Bernard, just one weekend into his retirement from Bayside.
Bayside staff celebrate Dale Bernard’s retirement.
He plans to continue his volunteer role as Manager of the Paqtnkek Red Tribe Boxing Club. With school starting, he’ll soon have a better idea of how many kids will join the program this year, which offers three days per week of training in the community gym. He’ll also be busy with fundraising to pay for trips and equipment.
Bayside CEO Rose Paul and team threw Bernard a retirement party in the truckers’ lounge at Bayside, complete with cake and pizza.
“We’ll sure miss Dale for his excellent leadership abilities and the friendly manner that he greeted everyone he met during his time here,” she said. “Dale is a true professional and we were lucky to have him during our early days getting Bayside up and running.
As for the immediate future, the affable Bernard says he’s starting gathering his tools, looking forward to traveling around the region helping contractors and homeowners with repairs.