Bernard  J. "Bernie" Okeefe, of Montgomery, Ohio, passed away in his home on Super Bowl Sunday, February 11, 2024. He was 70.

Bernie Okeefe was larger than life. Described as a "force of nature" by his friends, he was a man of strong, exhaustively researched opinions that he didn't hesitate to share. He loved a big bowl of Bolognese, over-the-top Christmas decorations, off-color jokes, Kiawah Island, spoiling his wife, Cabernet Franc, Annie Lennox, his daughters, and fast cars… and not in that order. He didn't waste time with small talk, small minds, or small plates. His enormous generosity was rivaled only by his enormous laugh, a sound that echoes in the ears of everyone who loved him.

Bernie was born on April 17, 1953, to Arthur and Antoinette Okeefe in Stony Point, New York. He was the third of six children. After graduating from Stevens Institute of Technology with a B.E. in Electrical Engineering, where he played basketball and was president of Delta Tau Delta fraternity, he went on to earn his MBA from the University of Scranton. He was drawn to Patricia "Pat" Mishanski, an award-winning "disco dancer," while in their early twenties. In typical cautious fashion, Bernie courted Pat for ten years before proposing quietly on Christmas Eve. It was the beginning of a love story that spanned nearly 40 years.

Bernie's dedication to precision was evident in everything he did, whether researching the best Italian pizza dough recipe or shooting sporting clays. This quality served him well in his thirty-seven-year career as a senior executive at Procter and Gamble. P & G took Bernie and his family around the globe from Cincinnati to Missouri, California, the Philippines, and Venezuela, finally returning them to Montgomery, where they made many lifelong friendships.

Described as having the "heart of a Viking" and the "kind of man who always had your back," Bernie prided himself on taking care of those around him, especially Pat, Lauren, and Kendall.

Bernie was predeceased by his parents, and his brother, Arthur Okeefe.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Okeefe, daughters Lauren Okeefe and Kendall Okeefe Robins (Michael), his siblings Betty Okeefe (Bob), Mary Okeefe-Fay (Tom), Michael Okeefe (Susan), Jacqueline Kelly (Joe) along with many beloved family members, fraternity brothers, and friends.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 28, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Gilligan Funeral Home 8225 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45236. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial, on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at 12:00 pm at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 8815 E. Kemper Rd 45249. Burial to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you take a moment to hug your friends and family, pour yourself a beverage, and toast to a life well-lived. Donations may be made in Bernie's honor to the American Heart Association.

American Heart Association
7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas TX 75231
Tel: 1-800-242-8721
Web: https://www.heart.org/en/affiliates/ohio/cincinnati