Saratoga Springs, NY - Father Joseph Elwin Bertrand, C.Ss.R., of Lake Avenue, passed away Wednesday afternoon (Jan. 14, 2009) at the Saint John Neumann Residence. He was 84. Born on June 27, 1925 in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, he was the son of Ernest and Josephine (Florant) Bertrand and resided at St. John Neumann's since 2003. He was Ordained on June 19, 1955 at Esopus, NY. Most of his missionary ministry was in Fajardo, Puerto Rico; Christiansted and Fredericksted, St. Croix, VI; St. Thomas, VI and St. Lucia, WI. Survivors include two sisters, Nona Arrindell of Jamaica, NY and Eldra Vera of Flushing, NY and two sisters-in-law, Marion and Ernestine. He was predeceased by five brothers, Lionel, Charleston, Achille, Emmanuel and Peter (Clement) and two sisters, Rita and Doris Bertrand. Reception of the Body will be at 4pm Friday (Jan. 16, 2009) at the Chapel of St. John Neumann Residence, followed by a Christian Wake Service at 7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am Saturday in the Chapel. On Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica in Brooklyn, NY at 10:30am. Burial will be in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Memorials may be made in his name to the Redemptorist Fathers, 233 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway (584-5373).