Bernie Coudriet passes away

The late Bob Coudriet was BJ Circulation department manager during his 45 years at 44 E. Exchange Street and supervised my children when they ran a BJ delivery route just off Hudson Drive in The Falls.

Bernie Coudriet

When my younger daughter, Monnie Ann, who succeeded her siblings LaQuita and John Larry as the paper route was handed down when the older child moved on beyond high school, was stiffed by a customer who wasn’t paying for her paper, Monnie Ann withheld delivery of the papers.

Outraged, the woman called Bob Coudriet to complain. “Madam, he said, the young girl had to pay for your newspaper and, if you don’t pay her she loses money, so why should she give you your newspaper?” I know because Bob told me about it.

The woman paid Monnie Ann up to date, and my daughter handed her the back BJs with a smile.

It was the springboard to Monnie Ann’s career as a CPA. I think Monnie Ann was about 12 years old then but ran a tight, financial ship and faithfully delivered the BJ on time every day . . . as long as customers paid her for the BJ.

Bob Coudriet passed away in 2010.

Bob Coudriet

Bernie Coudriet, Bob’s brother, once in BJ Circulation before he became a farmer and co-owner of Kingdig-Coudriet Nursery in Medina County, passed away Friday, Janary 4.

Now Bernie and Bob can discuss the BJ again inside the Pearly Gates.

Bernie’s obituary:

Bernard L. Coudriet

Bernard L. Coudriet, age 91, passed away January 4, 2019. Bernie was born in 1927 as one of five children to the late Paul and Edith (Wallin) Coudriet.

He graduated from St. Paul’s grade school, St. Vincent High School, and attended Akron University.

After his honorable service in the U.S. Army he began working at the Akron Beacon Journal.

In August of 1952 he married Joanne Kindig and they raised five children. In 1959 the family moved to a farm in Medina County and with his father-in-law and friend C.B. Kindig, they started Kindig-Coudriet Nursery, which is now run by two of his sons.

In 1959 the family joined St. Francis Xavier Church. Bernie and C.B. helped build the new church, donating time and material to landscape the church and school. Bernie became an usher and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

 

Above all Bernie will be remembered as a gentleman.

He will be dearly missed. Bernie is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Joanne; children, Phil (Pam) Coudriet of Crossville, Tenn., Marty (Cindy) Coudriet of Wadsworth, Matt (Leigh Ann) Coudriet of Seville and Paula (Kevin) Coombes of Westfield Center; son-in-law, Tim Morrissey of Medina; 12 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; sisters, Betty Pavlin and Marcella (Tom) Judy; and sister-inlaw, Betty Coudriet and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sue Morrissey; brother, Robert Coudriet; sister, Jewel (Ed) Frese; and brother-in-law, Dick Pavlin.

A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 11 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church, 606 E. Washington St., Medina. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s or All Caring Hospice, 5000 Rockside Rd., Suite 100, Independence, OH 44131. Online condolences may be left at waitefuneralhome.com