HERKIMER - Bernard “Bernie” C. Bliss, age 45, of Fiddletown Rd., Little Falls-Herkimer, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, December 6, 2009, at Little Falls Hospital. He was born on August 6, 1964, in Troupsburg, NY, the son of Arling “Carl” and Jeannine (VanGoethem) Bliss. Bernie graduated from Troupsburg High School and MVCC with an Associate Degree. He served in the National Guard and the U.S. Marine Corps. On December 24, 1998, he was married to JoAnn Sweeney. He was a manager for Agway for 10 years. At one time, Bernie and his wife owned and operated Bliss Farm & Home Center in Herkimer. Most recently, he was employed as an electrician at Remington Arms, Ilion. Bernie loved the solitude of his farm, feeding his “best friends”, his horse Petey and his cat Onyx, and riding his tractor. Survivors include his wife, JoAnn; his son, Carl Justin Bliss, of Spencer, NY; his parents, Arling “Carl” and Jeannine Bliss, of Troupsburg, NY; his brother, Brian Bliss; his sister and brother-in-law, Nadine and William Bailey; his niece, Alexis, and his nephew, Aidan; special Auntie Lily Poppe of Belgium; two stepsons, Cory and his wife, Arlene Vibbard, of Ilion, and Thomas Vibbard and companion, Jeanett, of Bridgewater; mother-in-law, Charlotte Cuda, of Ilion; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Robin and John Tripple, of Frankfort, Kelly and Todd Harper, of Jordanville, and Melissa and Charles Elthorp, of Ilion; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends. A memorial service will be held 1:30 p.m., Friday, December 11, 2009, at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Rd., Ilion, with Deacon James Bower, of the Church of the Annunciation, officiating. In keeping with Bernie’s wishes, there are no calling hours. All arrangements are entrusted to Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home, Don Applegate, Funeral Director.