Wednesday, July 28, 2021
I worked at Christie’s, at the Park Ave location. I have so many fond memories of Bernie helping me out. Bernie was so calm and patient in an often high stress job where it was solving tech problems all day. He and John wd put their heads together and solve anything and everything.
I would sometimes see Bernie having a cigarette out the back entrance to Christie’s on 59th St. I knew to leave him alone, just maybe say hi, so he cd have a break from the non-stop problems from us “end users.”
Back in those days, Christie’s was a place where the “front,” where working conditions were visible, were beautiful and polished. The “back,” where we all worked, was cramped, old, and dingy. It truly felt like a caste system there, and the Computer Dept, where Bernie worked, was near the “bottom.”
But I would have chosen working with Bernie (and Kathy and John) any, and every day. Bernie was down to earth, gentle, kind, genuine, and funny. He was a man of few words.
He and John came up with a nickname for me, I think it was Trinka, or Trixie, anyway, I took it as a gesture of endearment but it was sort of a jab too. It didn’t stop me from visiting the Computer Dept every day.
Bernie, I know we didn’t stay in touch after I left Christie’s, but I will always remember you for having all the answers, and making every work day at Christie’s a good one. Thank you, Bernie.
My deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Bernie. I really hope Bernie is hanging out and getting to know my son, Bryce Costawong, in the perfect place Beyond. ~Trina Wong, Marketing Dept, Christie’s from 1988-1993
