ROCKLAND — Bert Joseph Vanorse Sr. died peacefully March 30, 2016, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.

Born in Rockland on April 3, 1923, to Ada Vanorse, Bert attended Rockland grade schools, and obtained his high school diploma in 1960 from The American School in Chicago, Ill. At the age of 20, Bert entered the Navy, and shortly after, he began studying electrical and mechanical engineering at Chicago technical schools.

On April 11, 1941, Bert married the love of his life, Pearl E. Smith, also from Rockland. Shortly after marrying, the two moved to the top of the hill at Bayview Square in Rockland, where they built a loving home for their nine children. Spending time with his family was Bert's number-one priority. He lived for his children and grandchildren, and that passion often was extended outside of the family. He always made it a point to help out neighborhood kids, offering them a job or just a nice cold ice cream on a hot summer day.
Bert worked at the sardine factories and the Front Street Lime Company in Rockland, and it was during his employment at Bicknell Manufacturing, that he learned the skills that prepared him to open his own business. In 1955, he opened Bert's Machine Shop, and it was trap-hauling pulleys that he quickly became known for as well as metal brands that are sold nationally. Over the years, the business also grew to encompass small engine repairs and specialized machine work. When his health began to decline, his son, Harold, stepped in to run the business with his youngest daughter, one of Bert's granddaughter's, Margaret.

Bert led a very interesting and talented life with one of his most notable passions being writing poetry. Many of his works were not only published in newspapers and magazines, but also in the National Library of Poetry. He won Golden Poet awards in 1990 and in 1996. He had taken many of his poems and turned them into small poetry books that he would hand out within the community.

While he was in the Navy, he picked up his first guitar and began teaching himself how to play. He also taught himself how to read music as well as play the harmonica and keyboard. He wrote many songs, traveled south and played shows. He had a few records made of his songs, and took pride in demos of those songs being played on local radio. Bert and Pearl together had a love for ballroom dancing, and the sport of bowling, which took them all over the state. Also a graceful roller-skater, Bert enjoyed taking his grandchildren to the local roller skating rink and showing them his moves, and teaching them how to skate.

Bert was predeceased by his mother, Ada; his sons, Milton and Wayne; and a daughter, Susan. His beloved wife of almost 75 years, Pearl Vanorse, passed in January 2016.

Bert is survived by his children, Pearl Seekins, Bert Vanorse Jr. and his wife, Sharon, Robert Vanorse, Nancy Chandler and her husband, Frank, Harold Vanorse and his wife, Susan, and Sonja Neiman and her husband, Charles; his grandchildren, Donnaleen Vanorse-DiNapoli, Milton Vanorse, James Seekins, Gary Seekins, Serena Seekins, Theresa Chandler Ankers, Frank Chandler Jr., Nicole Vanorse, Holly Vanorse Spicer, Margaret Vanorse, Wayne Neiman, Deborah Proulx and Susan Carleton; many great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren; his brother, Albert Vanorse; and many nieces and nephews.

Bert will be sadly missed by all of those that loved him.

An informal celebration of Bert's life will be held Friday, April 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland.