Bertrand Frederick "Bert" Cheseldine

Bertrand (Bert) Frederick Cheseldine was born on 21 October 1936 in Washington, D.C.. and died on 8 January 2016 in Titusville, Brevard County, Florida. He was laid to rest in Sacred Heart Church Cemetery, Bushwood, Maryland. Bert grew up in Washington, D.C., but spent most weekends playing and having fun in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. He graduated from St. John’s College (High School) in 1954. Bert spent three years in the Army as a communications specialist and had a tour of duty in Panama. After leaving the Army he returned to Washington D.C. where he resumed his career as a PBX Installer/Repairman with the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company. He was married to Bonnie (Cox) in 1962. Bert and Bonnie moved to St. Mary’s County in 1964, where they lived in God’s Country (The Seventh District). Bert eventually retired from AT&T in 1986. He then worked part-time for Tracor, Inc. as an electronics technician and retired from there in 1998. Bert was known by his friends as the person who could repair anything mechanical or electronic. As computers became more and more prevalent, Bert fancied himself as a computer repairman as well. Bert loved pleasure boating and never missed a chance to spend time on the water. He spent many hours on the Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay and traveling the intercostal waterway to Florida with his family and friends. Over the years, Bert owned many boats, that included both power and sailboats, but the one that stands out the most was his Sundowner Tug known as “Popeye.” Everyone loved to see that boat and hear it play “Popeye the Sailor Man.” Bert and his wife eventually transitioned to traveling by motorhomes and moved to the Great Outdoors in Titusville, FL. Bert was a past member of the Cobb Island Yacht Club where he served three years as Treasurer. He was also a member of the St. Mary’s Blue Crabs camping club, the American Legion, the Loyal Order of Moose, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Bert was predeceased by his parents George (Fred) Frederick Cheseldine and Mary Hildagarde (Hilda) Pilkerton Cheseldine as well as his sister Mary Thomas Cheseldine Taylor. Bert is survived by his wife Bonnie (Cox), whom he married on 2 March 1962. He is survived by his son, Joseph F. Cheseldine, daughter Saundra B. Cheseldine (fiancée Billy Graves), and his granddaughter Mikayla B. Cheseldine. He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews as well as many good friends. He will also be sorely missed by his faithful four-legged companion CoCo. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or The American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org). Services: Visitation and Prayers: 12 January 2016 – 5pm-8pm at Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home with Prayers being recited at 7:30pm Committal: 13 January 2016 – 10am Final Prayers at Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home followed by grave side services at Sacred Heart Church Cemetery, Bushwood, MD Pallbearers: Donnie Guy, Donald Guy, Ray Bailey, Bo Bailey, Matt Oliver, and Marion Vallandingham All funeral arrangements are being handled by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, 41590 Fenwick Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650 (www.mgfh.com)