Bernard Clyne of Woodbourne, NY passed away peacefully on December 27, 2024. Nada, his wife of 60 years and his son, Peter, were with him when he passed. Bernie was 93 years old.

Bernie was born on January 18, 1931 in the Bronx to Joseph and Mildred Clyne. He was the oldest of two boys. Bernie’s childhood was on the streets of the Bronx playing stickball, handball, basketball and a hundred other games. The Bronx impacted Bernie greatly, and he took it with him wherever he went. ‘You can take the boy out of the Bronx, but you can’t take the Bronx out of the boy’ was a common refrain throughout much of Bernie’s life.

Right from an early age Bernie was warm and gregarious and cared deeply for others.  Bernie served in the US Army in the Korean War between 1952-54, where he attained the rank of Sergeant.  During his time in Korea, Bernie became the primary caregiver for a 10-year old boy orphaned by the war, ensuring his housing, food, schooling and emotional support were taken care of.

Upon returning to the US (after making sure the orphan continued to have strong caretakers), Bernie obtained a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Case Western University. Bernie then pursued his passion for helping underserved youth by working with gangs on the Lower East Side of Manhattan during the late 1950s, a job with many unanticipated adventures. 

Bernie married his first wife Kate Bandler in 1952 with whom he had two daughters, Lisa and Susie. Bernie and Kate divorced in 1960.

To further his devotion to helping people Bernie went to New York Law school. Graduating in 1963, over the next decade Bernie worked in anti-poverty programs throughout the New York City area and became the Director of Legal Services for the Legal Aid Society of Westchester County.

In 1964 Bernie married his second wife, Penelope Ann Luckado (known as Nada), with whom he had one son, Peter. Bernie was a devoted father to Peter and remained deeply in love with Nada throughout their 60-year marriage.

Bernie discovered the Siddha Yoga Path in the mid-1970s, which brought him deep fulfillment and purpose. Bernie was a vibrant and much-loved member of the Siddha Yoga community over the next 50 years. He brought his characteristic warmth and humor, still with that Bronx touch, serving in many roles in the global Siddha Yoga community.  

Bernie is survived by his wife, Nada, son Peter Clyne, daughters Lisa Snitzer and Susie Renner, five grandchildren (who all thought he was a hoot!), Ian and Zoe Renner, Sasha Rescorl, Alexander and Hazel Clyne, and his brother, Harris Clyne, his wife Amy and their family.

On what would have been Bernie’s 94th birthday, his life will be celebrated in a memorial service with family and friends. For more information, you can reach out to his daughter at: renner.susie@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who would like to contribute can send a donation in Bernie’s honor to The PRASAD Project (https://www.prasad.org/donate/).

Arrangements under the care of Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, for further information call 845-434-7363 or visit www.colonialfamilyfuneralhomes.com.