Brooklyn Megachurch Pastor A.R. Bernard Loses Firstborn Son to Fatal Asthma Attack
Popular Brooklyn, New York megachurch pastor, A.R. Bernard is now grieving the loss off his firstborn son Alfonso R. Bernard Jr. who died last Wednesday after suffering an asthma attack. He was 39.
Pastor Bernard, who leads the Christian Cultural Center and is president of the Council of Churches of the City of New York made the revelation in a tweet last Thursday in which he pointed to his pain.
"Last night I lost my first born son to an asthma attack. It hurts... I love you forever, Fonz - Dad...," he noted.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
The grieving pastor told the New York Daily News that his son suffered the asthma attack at his home in Hauppauge, New York where his children initially thought he was just sleeping.
Last night I lost my first born son to an asthma attack. It hurts... I love you forever, Fonz - Dad...
— A. R. Bernard (@ARBernard) February 5, 2015Bernard Jr., a talented chef who also loved to help the less fortunate, operated a catering company frequently patronized by politicians and celebrities.
"That was his heart," his father told the News. "It was always about helping people."
According to a gofundme campaign now seeking to raise $1 million for the newly created 'Alfonso R. Bernard Jr. Kid's Fund', Bernard Jr. leaves behind his wife, Janel, and four children, Alfonso III, Justin, Christian and Karcyn
He also is survived by his parents, six siblings – Jermaine, Jamaal, Jhared, Naishon, Ariel and Shemier – and a number of nieces and nephews.
"Friend to everyone who crossed his path. Chef, culinary enthusiast, entrepreneur, giver, he lived life to the fullest. His greatest joy was to encourage others to be all they can be," noted the description in part on the campaign.
Funeral Services for Bernard Jr. will be held at the Christian Cultural Center on Thursday Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
