Edward Piacentini Bernardi

Edward Piacentini Bernardi, age 95, of Lake Forest, Illinois, passed away peacefully in his home, on a beautiful spring morning, Saturday, March 21, 2026.

Ed was born in the Alice Home Hospital in Lake Forest on June 24, 1930, and was raised in the communities of Highwood and Highland Park. He attended grammar school at Oak Terrace School and graduated from Highland Park High School, Class of 1948. He was awarded the prestigious Chick Evans Scholarship from the Evans Scholars Foundation, as a caddy at Exmoor Country Club, where he caddied for a  decade, completing his first loop at age 10.

He continued his education at Northwestern University, graduating with the Class of 1952.  At Northwestern, Ed pursued his love of baseball, defending the hot corner (third base); he played in the minor leagues for several years, earning Most Valuable Player honors in 1952 with the Fergus Falls Red Sox.

He served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Austria during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in1954.

Upon returning to the Highwood community, Ed met the love of his life, Mary. On April 28,1956, at St. James Church in Highwood, they were married. The couple spent their early family years in Northbrook and Highland Park.

During this time, Ed worked in sales for a toy distribution company. In 1961, he co-founded Columbian Securities, Inc., in Chicago, with two fellow Evans Scholars. He was President of the firm until 1984.  He then founded Bernardi Securities, Inc., remaining active in the municipal bond industry until 2000. He served as Chairman of the Board until the time of his passing.

Ed was deeply committed to civic leadership and service. He was a member of the Union League Club of Chicago for more than 50 years. In 1983, he was elected as the club’s first Italian American President. He served as a board member for the Club from 1980 to 1983.  Prior to this, he had become involved as a trustee of the Union League Foundation for Boys & Girls Clubs and was elected its President in 1977. He contributed his time and leadership as a Board member of the Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Department.

Ed and his family moved to Lake Bluff in 1963 and later to Lake Forest in 1972, where he remained a proud resident and a parishioner at Church of St. Mary for the rest of his life. In 1976, he became a member of Exmoor Country Club, serving on its Board of Governors during the club’s Centennial celebration.

In 1985, Ed and Mary established a winter home in Naples, Florida, where he was an active member of the community. He became a proud volunteer with Special Olympics Florida. In Naples, he sang in the church choir, finally realizing his life-long dream of performing in public as a tenor.

Ed and Mary had a passion for travel and adventure, visiting every continent except Antarctica. Together they traveled numerous times to Italy and France, staying connected to their roots and strengthening their relationships with family and friends. He treasured these relationships deeply. He loved entertaining, music and dancing. In his eighties, he wrote two novels concerning wartime Italy. He was known for his thoughtfulness, sense of humor, generous spirit, and the ability to connect with people wherever he went. He had a response for everything, and for more than a decade he responded to the challenges of Parkinson’s disease with determination, courage and his characteristic humor and wit.

He will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, beloved Nonno, dear great- grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, loyal friend, and respected community leader whose warmth enriched the lives of all who knew him.

Beloved husband to Mary Silvia Bernardi (Vanoni). Loving father to Adria Bernardi (Jeffrey Stovall) of Nashville, TN; Ronald (Elizabeth) Bernardi of Lake Forest, IL; Michelle (John) Landis of Lake Forest, IL; and Jennifer Bernardi (Alan Platt) of Chicago, IL. Cherished Nonno to Matthew (Kristi) Bernardi, Thomas (Catherine) Bernardi, Luke Bernardi, Jacob Stovall (Melissa), Grace Landis, Isaac Stovall, Peter Landis, Livia Platt and Russell Platt. Dear great-grandfather to Tess Bernardi, Elle Bernardi, Grace Bernardi, Anna Bernardi, Claire Bernardi and Nicolette Bernardi. Beloved brother-in-law to Linda and Lillian.  He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Nello and Maria Piacentini, his Zia Teresa Saielli and his beloved cousin Alba Rostin-Magnin.

The family would like to thank Ed’s devoted caretakers: Chris Bengua, Dion Capito, and  Jay (aka Dr. Jay) Gahum, as well as his physical therapist and workout pal Lory Porter. He loved the ladies who for many years cared for Ed’s and Mary’s home: Krystyna Ciszynski and Emilia Napiorkowska.  We are grateful to the VITAS Healthcare staff and his doctors for his excellent care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the following organizations: Union League Boys & Girls Clubs, Western Golf Association Evans Scholarship Foundation, or the Parkinson's Foundation. 

A visitation will be held on Monday, March 30, 2026, from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Seguin & Symonds Funeral Home, at 858 Sheridan Road in Highwood.

On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, a funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 928 W. Everett Road in Lake Forest.  Interment will follow at Ascension Cemetery, 1920 Buckley Road in Libertyville.

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