Bernard Allen George, Jr.

Bernard Allen George Jr., born October 26, 1966, died early on the morning of May 23, 2023, after a fine day with his three dogs and his love, Missy Mischik, as well as some of his eight kids and step-kids. Bernie did a lot in a life that was too short. He was a police officer in various capacities and communities in Pennsylvania for 14 years, including at Penn State Behrend College, as well as in Lawrence Park, Wesleyville, and Lansdale. 

After that career he returned to college to finish his B.A. so that he could become a forensic blended case manager at Stairways Behavioral Health, until a car accident derailed that much shorter career, during which he loved to help his clients find places to live, assist them with life skills, and get them to their appointments. His combination of social service work and police experience, including youth, college students, and homeless populations, made his skills both concentrated and diverse. 

During most of those many years, he was also DJ BernieMac for A Sound Investment in Erie, PA. He played music and karaoke for a variety of clubs, bars, and events such as weddings. He was also a good singer and an excellent pool player. During the pandemic he worked toward the Johns Hopkins Contact Tracing certificate, until that need declined. In retirement he liked doing Door Dash deliveries with Missy, which he approached as fun rather than work.

His many other interests included his three big dogs, who he took daily to his local dog park. And because he was half Native American (Seneca), he was interested in Ancestry.com to trace his paternal Seneca line as far back as he could; his father, Bernard George, Sr. of the Seneca Reservation, pre-deceased him. Bernie’s photographs of sunsets at his cottage in Ripley, NY, numbering in the hundreds, had many fans, and he loved showing grandkids and visitors the resident bald eagles through his telescope. He built literally hundreds of all-night bonfires. He was also a great grill cook, which had been his first profession. He loved to eat what he made, and so did everyone else.

Bernie was an awesome storyteller. He made everybody laugh with his witty commentaries, accompanied by his sometimes dark but fun sense of humor. He also loved yelling at politicians on TV. Bernie lived with a lot of pain in the later years of his life, the result of his accident injuries and joint surgeries, but that didn’t stop him from living fully. He enjoyed everything he loved doing, and he never stopped doing.

Bernie is survived by his children and step-children: Sequoia George, Storm George, Trey George, Bear George, Amarra Baldwin, Makenzie Morgan, Aalihya Bowersox, and Aalysha George; his mother and stepfather, Diana Hume George and John Edwards; his sisters Kristine Osborn and Nicole Link; his stepbrother Diehl Edwards; and his young grandchildren, Surainati, Niahli, Nova, Raven, Mak, Saint, Ameliah, Jax, and Chloe. His niece Ayron Bacon was like a younger sister to him.

When one of his sons needed advice during a hard time in his life, Bernie told him to stand by your principles and stand up for what you believe. “Be a mountain of a man,” he said, “a big man who’s solid and impressive, a man whose life mattered.”  Bernard George himself was that mountain of a man.

Friends are invited to call on the family Saturday, May 27, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Service Inc. Downtown 602 West 10^th Street, Erie.

Memorial contributions may be made to The ANNA Shelter 1555 E 10th St, Erie, PA 16511

Send condolences to www.BurtonQuinnScott.com