Bernard, Dr. Earl Stafford
DR. EARL STAFFORD BERNARD
Dr. Earl Stafford Bernard peacefully joined his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, September 24th, 2025. Earl was born in Kingston, Jamaica, on February 19th, 1939, to Julietta (Etta) and James Bernard, and was the youngest of five children.
From a young age, Earl displayed remarkable ambition, dedication, and talent. He attended private elementary and high schools in Jamaica under the British system and skipped three grades due to his exceptional academic performance. Earl developed a love for music early in life, learning to play the piano and later completing his ARCT Royal Conservatory examination under the guidance of Maude McGuire after moving to Moose Jaw, SK.
While Earl initially aspired to be a missionary doctor, his outstanding academic achievements earned him a full scholarship to dental school — a path he embraced, believing it to be God’s plan for him. After completing his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at McGill University in Montreal, he married the love of his life, Yvonne Anderson, whom he had known since the age of seven. Though they had been apart for seven years while Yvonne studied nursing and midwifery in England and Scotland, they kept their promise to wait and marry once their studies were complete. Together, they built a thriving dental practice, which they cherished and approached with passion and care, forming lasting relationships with their patients.
Earl was deeply committed to his community and proudly served as a member and president of the Moose Jaw Caribbean Club, where he and Yvonne cultivated many lifelong friendships. He also had a green thumb, nurturing both indoor and outdoor gardens, and often found peace and joy tending to them. Music remained a lifelong passion for Earl. For decades, he played the piano and organ at First Baptist Church, delighting the congregation each Sunday and offering his support to the choir.
Family and faith were at the heart of Earl’s life. He and Yvonne devoted much of their week to church activities, including attending the Wednesday social gatherings, while always prioritizing their family. They were blessed with daughters Faith Allyson Michele (Russel) and Lydia Nadine (Darren), and son Mark Andrew Stafford. Their family grew to include beloved grandchildren: Kahlen (Carli), Jaden (Aruna), Tyler (Megan), Jonah (McKenna), Heidi (Dawson), Jennaya (Josh), and Dominik; great-grandchildren, Arya and Levi; sister, Barbara; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law: Dr. Viola Anderson, Dr. Michelle Lynn (Kurt), Valma Anderson, and Lynne Bernard; as well as many nieces, nephews, cherished friends, and extended family from First Baptist Church, including Beth Burris and Mark Branning. Earl and Yvonne were unwavering supporters of their children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s lives and activities.
While we mourn his passing and miss him dearly, we take comfort in knowing that Earl is now reunited with Yvonne, his beloved wife, in the presence of their Lord.
May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him.
“Well done, good and faithful servant” Matthew 25:21
The Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, October 21st, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Moose Jaw Funeral Home. Pastor Scott Elger will officiate and a private family interment will take place in Rosedale Cemetery. Those not able to attend may view the service by going to www.moosejawfuneralhome.com/webcast/. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Earl’s name may be made to the First Baptist Church, 1010 Main St N, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 3K8. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Michelle Ellis, Funeral Director 306-693-4550
Sending you warm hugs and comforting thoughts Faith, Nadine, Mark & families. Your mom & Dad were such a wonderful couple & we always enjoyed speaking with them even if it was to have dentist work done, they were both so gentle. So hard they are both gone now but I know they will be so happy to be together again xoxoxo
My sincerest condolences to all. So very sad to hear of Dr Bernard’s passing. Your dad and mom were one of my favourites. May they rest in peace in each others arms.
Only met my uncle once
But what i got from him
Was he was a really nice guy
Also I was invited by my uncle
To come over and he would sort out all My teeth.
Great guy.
God bless him and his family
God bless
Earl was wonderful man and husband. It’s hard to express true feelings. I met Earl and his family at the age of 7 and became immediate friends. He remained positive and encouraging to me even thru very difficult times. Earl and Yvonne were like second parents to me growing up there were countless conversations about life, their kids and lots of humor. Earl was a Habs fan and we loved watching a game or two. My last conversation with him was so up lifting even though his health was failing. We will see this faithful servant again. He served so many without seeking gratitude. We will miss you for a short time but we have eternity to be with him.
My deepest sympathy to the families of Dr. Bernard.
Earl was not only my dentist but truly one of the nicest kindest and most compassionate man I have ever known. I always enjoyed our conversations as he was so incredibly intelligent as well as a dry sense of humor.
Rest in peace Dr. Bernard.
I am greatly saddened by this news. Dr. Bernard was a remarkable and so very kind man. He and your mom were marvelous people who never judged. I am grateful that I knew them. Rest in peace Dr. Bernard, you are missed.
Condolences to the Bernard family. I used to dance with Mark and always enjoyed the creative time together with such a talented and loving family. Holding you in my heart and thoughts.
So sad to hear of Dr. Bernard’s passing…he was the only dentist that I didn’t mind seeing because he was so caring and had such a sense of humour. My sincere sympathies to all of the Bernard Family.
Our deepest condolences to the Bernard family. We were patients of Dr. Bernard and he was the kindest, most gentle man, living his faith every day. Going to see your parents was more than just an appointment. It was a visit! I had met your Mom at a university night class many years ago so we all spent as much time visiting as we did tending to teeth. It is hard losing both your parents so close together but they are together just as they have been almost all their lives. Lives well lived. May they rest in peace!
My sincere condolences to Faith and the rest of the family.
To the Bernard Family
I am so very sorry to know of Earl’s passing.
Bob and I were both friends and patients and knew both Earl and Yvonne well.
They were both such down to earth, good, and pleasant people.
They will both be very much missed.
Rest in peace Earl.
To Faith, Nadine and Mark,
Condolences to you and your families. So sorry for your loss. I have so many memories of your parents and mine over the years. What I always remember is how kind Earl was to our family and to my father especially in his later years. And the laughter your mother had with mine on the phone calls that happened years ago…will never forget that. May Earl be at rest with Yvonne. They will not be forgotten.
Mrs. Bernard and family, so sorry to hear of the sad sad news. The world lost a good man.
Condolences to the whole family and friends . He was a great guy with many skilled talents. He was one of our city’s best dentists and played the piano or organs with professional talent .
Dear Faith, Nadine, Mark and families…
Our heartfelt condolences on your loss. Your dad was a gentleman of such peace and graciousness.
His commitment to his faith life and to lovingly affirming the dignity of strangers and loved ones alike, remains an inspiration. I have so many wonderful and happy memories of your parents that fill me with warmth. No trip to Moose Jaw was complete without dropping in on them to reminisce about dance festivals, dinners, and all the news! Moose Jaw won’t be the same without them but they have left a beautiful legacy of love behind in each of you.
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians, 3:16
Heartfelt condolences to the Bernard family. Cherish all the wonderful memories.