A man of ‘tremendous character’

Bernard Havern Jr., a former Nassau County police detective and Malverne Little League coach, died on April 13, of prostate cancer. He was 68.

Havern, who was known as Bernie, was born on June 21, 1943, in Rockville Centre Mercy Medical Center, though his family lived in Malverne. He would remain a longtime Malverne resident, family members said, and become an active member of the community, a generous, kind and dedicated resident who strived to better his village and help those who were in need.

Havern graduated from Valley Stream North High School and went on to earn an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Nassau Community College. He began his career as a Nassau County patrolman in 1969, and later moved up in rank. He served as a police detective for 13 years, family members said. In total, he served on the force for 23 years.

Havern also worked closely with the Malverne Little League, and is credited with establishing Molloy College’s baseball program. “He was known for his baseball,” said his widow, Joan Havern, who added that they would have celebrated their 47th anniversary in June. The two were married in 1965 in Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Malverne. They had four children, Christopher, Timothy, Jennifer and Cathleen.

“He also helped build baseball fields at Malverne High School and Howard T. Herber Middle School,” said Joan, noting that Bernie always wanted to make certain that local children had nice fields to play on.

In 1979, Joan said, her husband was named Nassau County policeman of the year. Last fall he was inducted into Molloy College’s Hall of Fame for his work with its baseball program.

Joan also noted that Bernie was an active member of St. Mary’s/Marist Stella Knights of Columbus Council, number 2228, in Lynbrook — and a huge Mets fan. “He’d root for any other team except the Yankees,” she said with a laugh. “He was a very loving, personable, do-right type of person — it was about friends, family, faith. And his handshake was his word.”

Havern’s funeral mass was held at Our Lady of Lourdes on April 17, where, Joan said, nearly a thousand people turned out to honor a man who left an indelible mark in the community. “It was a tremendous amount of people,” she said. “He was loved by everyone.”

He retired from the NCPD 20 years ago, she explained, and opened a trophy store in Rockville Centre, Custom Awards. His former business partner, Lynbrook resident Lenny Miller, 65, is also a retired Nassau County detective who met Havern on the force in the 1970s.

“We’ve been there about 19, 20 years,” Miller said of the trophy shop, where the two crafted plaques, trophies and laminations for a number of organizations, including the Rockville Centre and Lynbrook fire departments.

“Bernie did the trophies — he was a great guy, my partner for a long time,” Miller said. “We were joined at the hip.” When he learned of his friend’s death, he said, “I was devastated.”

What stood out about his friend, Miller explained, was his generous spirit, his kindness and his willingness to go out of his way to help those in need. Havern was also a man who valued family and friends.

“He always talked about his family,” Miller said, “and we were there for each other. We couldn’t get any closer.”

Timothy Havern, 45, who lives in Howell, New Jersey, said his father was always engaged in the community, and “didn’t have a mean bone in his body.

“He had a very charismatic personality,” Timothy added. “He would walk up to strangers and he could hold a lengthy conversation. He prided himself on being a Malverne resident.”

Timothy said that in the early 1980s, his father was involved in the village’s beautification efforts. And, Timothy added, he coached Little League for 15 years.

“He said, ‘The kids will remember this for the rest of their lives,’” he recalled. “He was about enjoying life and putting smiles on people’s faces.”

Timothy also recalled his father’s volunteer efforts at Our Lady of Lourdes Church and how, every year, he would help set up the nativity scene for Christmas. “He’d get five or six guys. It’d take them all day long, and then he’d take them out to lunch,” he recalled.

Timothy added, “I can’t tell you the amount of letters coming in now. I always knew he was a special guy, but when you hear stories and people say they’re the person they are because of him, that means a lot.”

Friends and family members said that Havern’s memory will live on in the community, and he will always be remembered for his willingness to help anyone, friend or stranger. “He didn’t look for respect. It was given to him,” Timothy said. “He was a man of tremendous character. He never knew the word ‘no.’ If anyone needed help, it didn’t matter what time of day or night, he was always willing to lend a hand.”