Bernard Egide Duhaime

Bernard Egide Duhaime

October 6, 1949 – January 29, 2025

OMAHA, NE

The world is missing a very special man. Bernard Egide Duhaime, 75, of Omaha, NE, died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at his home in West Omaha. Bernie was born to Juliette Therese Rainville Duhaime and Percy Joseph Duhaime on October 6, 1949, in Manchester, NH. He spent his first 29 years in Suncook, NH, a French-speaking town of mainly Quebecois families. Bernie’s first language was French; he went to predominantly French-speaking schools before attending Bishop Brady High School in Concord, NH, where he graduated in 1967. Anyone who knew him fairly well probably heard his stories of being at Woodstock in 1969 to see Janis Joplin… how he left his car on the highway and spent a very wet and amazingly convivial weekend with friends and a large swath of humanity.

Bernie earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from New Hampshire College in 1971. That same year, he began his career in the financial services industry with The Equitable Life Assurance Society. Quickly learning that he had a special ability to attract and mentor other talent in the industry, he moved into positions of management. Promotions and transfers brought him from NH to Long Island in 1984, and finally to Omaha in 1996 as Agency Manager, receiving many company and industry recognitions along the way. He was a lifelong learner of the financial industry, earning the designations of Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and Certified Financial Planner (CFP). Bernie was a strong believer in giving back to his community and industry every chance possible. His list of contributions included serving on many boards and chapters of organizations, including as past president of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors in both NH and NE, leading to his induction to the NAIFA Hall of Fame. He retired from AXA Equitable in 2005 to pursue other community and philanthropic interests… and was busier than ever!

While he was sad to retire, Bernie jumped into his next phase with gusto. During his first foray into retired life, he played piano at local retirement homes where he shared his lifelong love of music and his incredible talent as a pianist. If you knew him at all, you would have found yourself gathered around his piano, singing songs. Some of his favorites were show tunes, Christmas music, classical pieces and, of course, French music.

The most important part of Bernie’s retired phase of life was his return to his French roots. From 2002 to 2007, he served as president of Alliance Française Omaha; he helped to establish their French language school, and he stayed connected with them until his death. From 2003 to 2011, he was on the board of directors of La Federation of Alliances Françaises, USA, in addition to serving as treasurer for five years. In 2008, Bernie received the prestigious Pro Lingua Award by the Nebraska Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of French, for his promotion of the French language. From 2008 to 2012, he served as the Consul Honoraire of France for the states of NE, ND, and SD. He was the current treasurer of the American Friends of Musée d’Orsay, where he’d served as a founding member of the board of directors since 2009. He was also the current president and treasurer of La Renaissance Française-USA, having served on the board of directors since its founding in 2009. He was instrumental in creating a new sister-city relationship with a region in France around Omaha Beach in Normandy, by partnering with Omaha Sister Cities Association, the city of Omaha, and the Isigny-Omaha Intercom. In 2014, Bernie was honored by the French government with the title of Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite (Knight of the National Order of Merit). He was also awarded the Médaille d’Or de La Renaissance Française, the organization’s highest distinction, recognizing persons who have rendered eminent and exceptional service to French language, culture, and the arts. The medal was awarded to him in 2021 during a ceremony held in Paris and celebrated at the Musée d’Orsay.

Bernie and his wife Rosemary spent many years traveling to France, as well as other places around the world. They had an apartment in the 16th arrondissement of Paris for several years, enjoying daily Parisian life. They were thrilled to spend time with friends and family in France or stateside, and they were always on the go. In Omaha, after he went through his own cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, Bernie served as president of the Friends of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. He and Rosemary were also members of the Shadow Ridge Country Club for many years. He loved to play golf and took his fair share of mulligans. His daughters, Amy and Emily, fondly remember a day when they drove his cart while he played, and they laughed as he hit his ball back and forth over the green. He tried to teach us the etiquette of golf and how laughing loudly from the cart is frowned upon.

There are so many things to mention. It’s impossible to convey the scope, variety, and depth with which Bernie lived his life. A few things that bring smiles to so many of us… he played ice hockey as a youth on the snow-shoveled ponds of New England, and also in a men’s league as an adult. He sang in a men’s choir and performed in musicals in college, where he famously (in family lore) played Emile de Becque in South Pacific. He loved to play all games, especially cards, and really liked to win. He loved to grill Omaha Steaks beef tenderloins, and he was always offering to drive friends back and forth to the airport. He even worked for a while as an Uber driver in Omaha, where he collected wonderful stories of all the people he met and helped in different ways. He would fly across the country in a heartbeat to join a family gathering or attend a special event for someone he loved. We will all miss and forever remember his soft, tender heart, his fun-loving zest for life, his charm, his loyalty and generosity, his goodness and integrity, and his remarkably beautiful soul.

So many loved ones feel a huge hole now that he is gone. His wife Rosemary (Smith) Duhaime, his love of 27 years, will be the first among them. His daughters Amy Duhaime Hill (husband Coleman) of Weathersfield, VT, and Emily Duhaime (wife Britt) of Denver, CO, will forever carry his spirit with them and love him to infinity. His granddaughters Madeline, Juliette, Amelia, and Paloma, the absolute apples of his eye, will always know what it is to be adored by their Pepere and forever have him as their guardian angel. His stepdaughter Elizabeth Carroll (partner Gary) of Setauket, NY, step-grandchildren Philip (wife Elise), Samantha (husband Christopher), and Christopher, appreciate how much Bernie brought their family together and cherish their Christmas morning memories. His stepson John Carroll of Buffalo, NY, and step-grandchildren Daniel and Jessica will always remember his love and support. His step-great-granddaughters Andrea and Addison were fortunate to get some cuddles from Pepere. He also leaves his sister Ruth (Duhaime) Poirier (husband Armand) of Allenstown, NH, was predeceased by his brother Robert, and leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and friends far and wide.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 15 from 1-4pm at Pembroke Pines Country Club in Pembroke, NH. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Alliance Française Omaha or another charity of your choice.

Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, Ne 68124. (402)-391-3900. www.heafeyheafey.com