Jack Bernabucci

Jack Bernabucci, age 77, passed away on February 10th, 2008 at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, CA.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Geraldine Bernabucci of Palm Springs, CA; daughter Mary des Jardins of Portola Valley, CA; son Paul Bernabucci of Fargo, ND, 5 grandchildren and a brother, David, and 1 niece and 1 nephew.
Jack was born August 9th, 1930 in Jamestown, ND. He attended the University of North Dakota, graduating in June of 1952 with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce. He then joined the family owned Coca-Cola Bottling Co of Jamestown. He became President of the Coca-Cola Bottling of Jamestown in 1965 and of Coca-Cola Bottling of LaCrosse, WI in 1970. He remained president of both until 1990, when they were sold.
Jack also served as president of Plains Properties, LLC, a real estate holding company for 35 years. He was President of Northern Plains Investment, Inc, a bank holding company, and served as a Director and Board Chairman of the Stutsman County State Bank of Jamestown for 30 years. In recent years, Jack was President of Provident Partners, LLC, a real estate development company.
Jack was active in politics and community service. He served as a Republican County Chairman, as well as a member of the North Dakota House of Representatives for six years before becoming Republican National Committeeman for North Dakota from 1988 to 1992.
He served 25 years as a member of the Jamestown Hospital Board of Directors and 12 years as a member of the Board of Trustees of Jamestown College. He was vice-chairman of the Jamestown Urban Renewal Commission for 12 years, President of the Jamestown Industrial Development Corporation for 25 years, and four years as a member of the North Dakota Economic Development Commission. He was a member of the Elks, Masons and the Shriners.
Jack became enamored with airplanes and flying as a young boy, having his first ride in a Piper Cub when he was eight. He earned his private pilots license in 1960. He loved flying both his Cessna 205 and his Commander 114.
One of the founding directors of the Palms Springs Air Museum in California, he was named Chairman of the Board shortly before his death.
Funeral services will be held at St James Basilica in Jamestown, ND, 3:30 PM Wednesday February 20th. A memorial service will be held at the Palm Springs Air Museum 3:30 PM Wednesday February 27th.
In lieu of flowers, donations would be gratefully accepted at the Palm Springs Air Museum, 745 Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, CA 92262 or the Geraldine Bernabucci Nursing Scholarship, University of Mary, 7500 University Drive, Bismarck, ND 58504.