Obituary of Rodolfo Cornejo Bernabe

Rodolfo C. Bernabe, 93, of Forest Hills passed away peacefully in his home on April 23, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Born on September 12, 1930 in Manila, Philippines, “Rudy,” or “Rody” is the son of the late Ciriaco and Lorenza Bernabe. He was predeceased by his wife of 39 years, Nenita (née Fontanilla), grandson Kevin, and siblings Carlos, Cecilio, Adelaida, Alfredo, and Remigio. He is survived by his four children Christine (Harry), Annaliza, Dean (Katherine), and Patricia (Ron), six grandchildren Justine (Josh), Catherine (Lee), Veronica, Matthew, Tristan, and Madison, great-grandchildren Isla and Kaia, siblings Manuel and Sally, and many nieces and nephews.

Rodolfo’s banking career in the Philippines spanned 30 years. He retired from the Philippine Commercial and International Bank as Sr. Vice President in 1988. He then started the second phase of his life by immigrating to New York City with his family and starting anew at Veritas Therapeutic, where he retired as CFO at the age of 75. During his 16-year tenure at Veritas, he made invaluable contributions to the non-profit organization’s evolution.

He was a kindhearted man of good humor and great taste. He was an avid opera- and theatergoer and enjoyed singing and dancing, even participating in a touring traditional dance troupe as a young adult, and church choir later in life. Rodolfo most admired qualities he found in, and attained from, his godfather, Isidro Guevara – generosity, integrity, hard work, and unwavering dedication to family. As such, Rodolfo ultimately became the center and patriarch of a lively and large family of his own. He held them to high moral standards and took pleasure in regularly gathering them together in his home, where he enjoyed a healthy exchange of opinions over a delicious plate of food. He is a much-beloved father whose children will miss his steadfast love, guidance, and support. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (https://give.themmrf.org).