12/11/55 – 03/04/17
WRITING an obituary for Bernie Smith is a sad duty and even months after his passing it is hard to believe he is gone. Since being asked to write this, I have found it difficult to bring myself to put pen to paper on the matter, hence the time that has elapsed from when Bernie was given a fitting send-off at the beginning of April. However, a trip to a very special place has evoked fitting emotions to bring closure to the task.
As I write this, I am steaming down the west side of the Hebrides on the way back from St Kilda, where Bernie worked with my father, fishing for lobster. Lying at anchor in Village Bay brought memories of them both.