This is for the members of Rod Crafters who knew Bernie JR, Bernie Zabinski.

I received a call today informing me that Bernie had passed away. God bless your soul my friend.

Bernie was part of the Brooklyn Bernie's. He was a long time friend of Bernie Cohen and some wheres along the line some one started to call him Bernie JR. Seems that whenever I saw Bernie, Bernie JR was close at hand.

I met Bernie JR at a RodCrafter Seminar many years ago. He always had a big smile and a good story. Interesting in that he never brought his rods with him to show at the Seminars. He had me totally convinced that he did not build rods. He would tell me he came with Bernie to see all the guys. Finally a few years ago he fessed up and told me he did build rods but mostly for himself.
Bernie you had me going for many years.

The last 6 months has not been kind to our friends in Rod Crafters. First Bernie Cohen, then Brad Baker, more recently Walter Barnes and now Bernie Zabinski. God bless you all. You are all missed.

Neil

Capt Neil Faulkner

Another good guy passes on, very sad. Bernie Z was a great guy, funny, and built some really nice rods. IT's a shame to hear this.

Neil, another fisherman that you may know recently passed away, he was part of the Flamingo crew that the Bernies used to fish with, Bobby Waldbaums. When I first started building rods, Bernie's, BObby, and their other friend George, Elke, Anthony & I did a porgy trip on teh Island Current. It's crazy to me that they are all gone.

Neil: One of my fondest memories is having breakfast with all the gentlemen you mentioned and of course Jim and his son-in-law, David, Al G., and you at Perkins the Monday morning after the seminar. I sure do miss those days. John