It is with an extremely heavy heart I need to tell you that my Bernie quietly passed away in the early morning hours on Tuesday.

The cancer had invaded his abdominal wall from the pelvis and was progressing so rapidly that nothing more could be done. After coming off the ventilator, he then fell off to sleep. It comforts me to know that Bernie knew we were there with him and he was not in any pain.

Kristen, Michelle & I spent the day taking care of the arrangements. The calling hours will be on Thursday 6/29 from 4~8pm at the Acton Funeral Home in Acton, Mass., and a graveside service on Friday 6/30 at 11am at the Mt. Hope Cemetary on Central Street also in Acton. (for more information : www.thoughtfulguidance.com/doran.html is the website for Acton Funeral Home)

As most of you reading this know, Bernie was a very special, wonderful man who touched the lives of everyone he met. I feel blessed & privilaged to have loved ~& been loved by~ him. I miss him so much already.

Our thanks go out to everyone who have been praying for his recovery & our support. God Bless you. We are also thankful in that this did not drag on for a lengthy period of time and he is now at peace. I know Bernie is now playing banjo with the rest of Heaven's bluegrass band !!

We have set up a Scholarship Fund in Bernie's memory to be awarded to deserving students who wish to pursue a degree in music and/or are children of Fire Department personnel.

You may send a contribution to: "Bernie Caouette Music Scholarship", c/o Middlesex Savings Bank, 308 Great Road, Littleton, MA 01460 ~ Thank You.

***There will be a Bluegrass Benefit Show on Sunday, Oct. 15th, 2006, at the Athol/Orange Elks. for more information on the show, visit the website at www.geocities.com/caouettebanjos ****