03/24/2026
The pearly gates just welcomed the most prolific storytelling Irishman of all time.
Bernie Marren, you were everyone’s favorite Papa, uncle, fix-it-guy, historian, engineer, great grandfather, CEO, romanticist and DAD! All who knew you were touched by your charm, humor and warmth. And your terrific stories! I will continue to share them all—from your family’s fight for religious freedom in Ireland, to the way you and James snuck into that San Francisco Giants game when your tickets were left at home. You taught us to ask good questions and for that you were labeled The Question Man. My favorites in the last few years included “When will we get to the party?” and “When do we get to go home?!”
You taught us to help those in your community when they need you. Luckily for me, you were there to negotiate with my landlord over my lease when I wanted to move to Boston, and to rush me to the emergency room when I sliced my finger cooking French onion soup in your kitchen. I kinda thought you’d stay in the waiting room, but NO, you had questions to ask the doctor!
Your love for Marian inspired us all. You were intellectual partners, and though you could be impatient and demanding with the rest of the world, with Marian you were thoughtful, calm, and never missed the chance to tell us how lucky you were to marry the smartest, most beautiful woman in the world.
Thank you for the adventures Bernie. Bike riding on a volcanic mountain in Sun River, visiting family, castles, pubs, and the Kilmaninhan jail in Ireland, a week of pasta and gelato every day with tiny kids in Tuscany, learning pickleball in your 80s in Lake Tahoe, and jumping into that waterfall with the grandkids without an ounce of hesitation. I loved how you welcomed us all into your huge group of friends at Cubs games in Chicago, weekends in La Jolla, your 49ers box at Candlestick Park, and all of those years of Saint Patrick’s Day parties in Los Altos.
A faith-filled Irish Catholic, you just couldn’t help glancing at your watch when the homily ran a bit long. I know you will continue the storytelling, questions and parties in Heaven. And now you have finally made it home.
