He left his influence on friends, relatives, and colleagues from Honolulu, HI where he was born to Pt. Richmond, CA where he died. He attended McKinley High School in Honolulu, enlisted in the Coast Guard, and attended University of Hawaii. He continued to Northeastern University in Boston and earned his Masters Degree in Education at San Jose State College.

He subsequently served the Palo Alto School District as Media Director and retired after 25 years. All the while an entrepreneur, he also opened with his wife, Marion, M's Tropical Fish Store in Mt. View, CA and operated that business for 15 years. He bought and sold many properties in the San Francisco Bay Area and at death, owned eight mini -storages.

He was a serious business man but was also playful and extremely generous. He was a passionate fisherman, the source of salmon and halibut from his Alaska adventures. He was an avid skier and he always enjoyed his Friday poker games. He travelled the world. He had a wonderful life.

Bernie shared over 50 years of his life with his wife Marion Lee Leong until her death in 2003. He subsequently established a loving relationship with Deborah Collier of Somerset, CA who supported him in his illness. Also preceding him death were parents, Hung Kee and Violet Leong and brother, Herbert. Surviving are sisters Gladys Honan, Reno, NV, Katherine Leong, HI, and brother Frederick (Winona) Leong, HI, sisters-in-law Melvia Cheng, KY, Margaret (Solomon) Kaulukukui, HI, and Marietta (Thomas) Tom, Palo Alto, CA. Numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews enjoyed their Uncle Bernie. Also mourning is the extended Ethel Chew family of San Jose, CA.

The family is grateful to friends Jerry Docktor, Nigel Robson, Karen Terrill, Bill Fisher, Barry Sweet, Paul Bergeron and Lorraine Elliott for their support and help.