Saratoga Springs, NY - Bernard "Bernie" Witkop died Wednesday (Aug. 12, 2009) after a courageous two year battle with cancer. He was 81. Born on Nov. 16, 1927 in Saratoga Springs, he was a son of the late William E. and Nellie (Ahearn) Witkop. He grew up in Saratoga Springs and enjoyed working at the trotting track with horses for many years. He played football in high school and later enlisted in the US Navy at the age of 17. Following service, he attended Siena College for four years and then married Marguerite Shutter. He was a comptroller for Raytheon in Niagara Falls before transferring to Stow, MA and continued to work for Raytheon for several years. He enjoyed living on the lake, camping trips, skiing, golf, tennis, striped bass fishing and his trips back to the Adirondack hunting cabin where he loved the card games more than the hunting. Following his divorce, he moved up to North Conway, NH and continued accounting and tax preparation work. There he was able to continue his love of skiing and especially aprs ski. He took pride in bringing "Saratoga Sausage" to Wildcat Mountain for aprs ski cookouts, which were enjoyed by anyone lucky enough to be there. There was never a good looking woman that went unnoticed with Bernie around. He retired back to his hometown of Saratoga Springs and attained his realtor's license and enjoyed being involved in real estate up until shortly before his death. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Bill Witkop and infant daughter Donna. Survivors include two daughters, Diane Witkop of Harrison, Maine and Debbie Robinson and her husband Gordon of North Conway; his brother John "Doc" Witkop of Lake Placid, Fl.; one sister, Katherine "Kate" Ture of Saratoga Springs; three grandchildren, Jamie and Jesse Robinson and Devon Witkop; many nieces and nephews as well as their families. There are no services and burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, followed by a celebration of his life with family and friends, at a later date. We hope all will raise a glass and sing "Tiny Bubbles" in remembrance of Bernie. Thanks to the 'gals' in radiation who gave Bernie a reason to look forward to his daily visits. Special thanks to nephew Bruce Witkop and neighbor Ted Messer for your help when he needed it most. Also a very special thanks to Maureen Mahar and the very caring nurses and staff at Pleasant Valley in Argyle, NY for the wonderful care Bernie received during his time there. Memorial donations may be made to Washington County Hospice, 415 Lower Main St., Hudson Falls, NY 12839 or Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (584-5373).