Bernard J. Cory

Bernard J. Cory (1935–2025)

A loving husband and father who devoted his life to being a true family man. He loved being with his family and friends, dancing with his wife, taking family photos, and showing up for anything his children and grandchildren were involved in. Bernard J. Cory, age 90, of Bensalem, PA, died on July 6, 2025.

Bernie was born in Philadelphia in 1935 to Bernard and Agnes Cory. He spoke fondly of his childhood, especially the relationships with neighbors, playing baseball at Lighthouse Field, taking the trolley to see an A’s game, and attending dances with his friends. His father died when he was just 17 years old and Bernie did his best to support his mother and siblings. That role would define his life and prepare him to one day be an extraordinary supporter of his own family.

Bernie met his soul mate at a dance at St. Bonnie’s in Philadelphia in November of 1955. He went on to enjoy a happy and loving marriage of 67 years to his bride Theresa McLean whom he married in 1958. Their wedding in February on a day that would end in a blizzard was just a small challenge that could not stop this extraordinary couple. Their love for each other was inspirational to family members and many friends of the family. Numerous friends of their children have commented that they were adopting Bernie and Theresa as their own parents. They would admire the way they would dance smoothly around the dance floor at weddings and events. Hearing Bernie tell his wife, children, and grandchildren that he loved them was not uncommon. And the grandchildren became familiar with his greeting “hey come give me a great big Cory bear hug”. He was fortunate enough and thrilled to see two great-grandchildren before he passed and to know that a third was on the way.

He attended Mastbaum High School in Philadelphia. He later served in the Army. His interest and experience in radio communications were leveraged by the Army in his service in the Korean war. After his Army service and while working and supporting his family he attended LaSalle University in the evenings where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He was an electrical engineer for the first half of his working career and worked with companies such as Philco, Ford, and General Electric. The roles he assumed often had him at the forefront of new technologies in the TV/Radio, Automotive and Aerospace industries. In the second half of his career, he worked as a Financial Advisor for Lincoln Investments. He enjoyed helping and teaching his clients about retirement, almost refusing to retire himself and continuing to work until the age of 88.

Bernie will always be remembered for the love and support he showed his family, his laughter, and his infectious smile. He was truly a rock of a patriarch.

Bernie was preceded in death by his parents Bernard and Agnes, sisters Marion and Pat, and brother Don. He is survived by his wife Theresa, his sister Eileen, his children Terry (Mike Kudla), Bernie (Veronica), Sharon (James Beyer), Dan (Joan), Steve (Sophia), and Colleen (Tony DiMario), and his 13 grandchildren Megan, Francis, Maggie, Patrick, Kirsten, Greg, Jeff, Brian, Elyse, Kieran, Cory, Zach and Jill, and his two great-grandchildren Landon and Bernard.

Visitation for Bernie will be held at St. Anselm Church, 12670 Dunks Ferry Road in Philadelphia on Friday, July 11th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. A Mass of Christian burial will follow his visitation at 3:00pm. Following the mass all are welcome to join the Cory family at Toscana 52, 4603 Street Rd, Feasterville-Trevose, PA. The immediate family only will attend his burial on Saturday July 12th.