Bernie’s Bucket List
The autographed ball and press pass
This story is from the archives. Part of it was published in the Mississauga Living Magazine and was online for several years. I also used it to tell client success stories as a financial planner. It was also missing “The rest of the story…” I have now included the further adventures.
On a chilly, damp March day, as I longed for summer's warmth, I received a call from Bernie Fishbein. He shared that he'd always wanted to visit the Blue Jays during spring training in Dunedin, Florida, but the perfect chance had never come. Rather than leave it to chance, he asked if I'd join him to tick this off his Bucket List.
Bernie, who was retired for nearly five years then, is a stellar example of someone fully embracing retirement. He dives into his passions with enthusiasm—whether it's photography, history, or hiking. He's also active in his community, serving on the local ratepayers’ association boards and Habitat for Humanity. Having been a good friend for over twenty years, I eagerly accepted the chance to accompany him. Plus, basking in some sunshine and checking off an item from my Bucket List was tempting.
Thanks to the Blue Jays, We got Bernie a souvenier ball.
On March 23, we braved a snowstorm to reach the airport, only to land three hours later in the balmy 28°C sunshine of Tampa Bay.
That first evening in Florida, we explored Dunedin and its baseball park to get acquainted. We’d heard that arriving early would let us watch the players practice, and I was determined to make this a memorable experience for Bernie.
At the park, I left Bernie in the car while I went to the media center. There, I met Mal Romanin, the Baseball Information Communications Manager for the Toronto Blue Jays. After hearing about Bernie’s Bucket List dream, Mal kindly invited us back in half an hour.
When we returned, Mal greeted us with two guest passes and took us onto the field. I enjoy baseball, but Bernie is truly passionate about it. As we stepped onto the field, Bernie’s face lit up with pure joy. Not only was he at Blue Jays spring training, but he was right in the action. The crack of the bat signaled that summer was on its way, and it was music to our ears.
We spent the next thirty minutes exploring and taking photos. Bernie even got to visit the Jays' dugout, his excitement palpable. Watching the Blue Jays practice and witnessing their camaraderie was a thrill. As we left, Mal gave Bernie an autographed baseball. After our field visit, we enjoyed the game between the Jays and the Braves.
Bernie was so thrilled by the day that he would have been content if the trip had ended there. But there was more to come. Each day seemed to offer its own special moments.
We met wonderful people, engaged in fascinating conversations, and gained a newfound appreciation for Florida’s attractions. Before heading back to the cold, we explored the Salvador Dalí Museum and the Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg, went on an eco-tour of Tampa Bay and visited its Aquarium, and spent time with friends at Lettuce Lake Resort in Port Charlotte. We also took photography excursions to the Mary Selby Gardens and Fort de Soto National Park. By the end of the trip, we had both checked off attending Blue Jays spring training from our Bucket Lists. Thanks to the Toronto Blue Jays, Mal Romanin, and especially Bernie for making this opportunity possible.
At the Salvador Dali Museum
AND NOW FOR THE REST OF THE STORY…
Bernie is a truly genuine and kind-hearted individual with remarkable thoughtfulness about him. He's also quite the sport. After our first trip, I submitted our story and some photos to Mississauga Living magazine, where it was published. At the time, the magazine was available both in print and online, and the article was titled "Bernie’s Bucket List." The story quickly made Bernie a local celebrity among friends and neighbours. As a dedicated practical joker, I saw a perfect opportunity for some fun.
Inspired by the article's success, we decided to recreate the experience, leading to many more memorable road trips. I’ll share more about those adventures later. Our “Boys Trips” included two more spring training visits to Florida, Fenway Park in Boston to see the Red Sox, and a journey to Nashville. We even embarked on a "Route 66" themed trip that took us through Chicago, Oklahoma City, Dallas, and Memphis.
The famous Fenway Park, home of the Blue Jays arch-rivals, the Boston Red Sox
We embraced Bernie’s good nature by starting a tradition involving total strangers in our antics. While I took the lead, others soon joined in the fun. I’d walk ahead and find an approaching stranger and ask if they were up for a little prank. They would then approach Bernie and playfully ask him why he looked so familiar, only to discover he was the “Famous Bernie from the online Bucket List story.” No one ever turned down the chance to join in on the prank, and it was a fantastic way to connect with new people.
Here are a few of my favourite moments:
In Punta Gorda, at a restaurant, the manager waited until our group of ten had received our meals. She then came out with a printed copy of the article, apologized for interrupting, and asked Bernie for his autograph. She wanted to frame the article and hang it alongside other famous patrons on the wall.
Another memorable moment was at a Best Western hotel in Georgia. The management and staff, recognizing Bernie’s celebrity status, eagerly took photos with him and greeted him every time he entered the lobby.
One of my personal favourites happened at Fenway Park. We were sitting in the front row of the Loge section when a man in Red Sox gear approached Bernie, claiming to know him. Also thinking the man looked familiar, Bernie went through a list of possible connections, including baseball, scouting, and volunteering. Eventually, the man realized he had read about Bernie online and recognized him as the "Famous Bernie from the Bucket List story." This led to a playful punch on the shoulder from Bernie.
During the 2012 spring training at the Baltimore Orioles’ complex, Bernie went to get a coffee. When he returned, many of the Baltimore section began chanting “Bernie, Bernie,” creating quite a spectacle.
One guess where this shirt is famous!
We’ve had many other memorable moments like these, and I’ll share more about our famous road trips in future blogs.
As a teaser, here are some of our road trip rules:
We’re not racing to our destination. The goal is to find something special each day that others might miss in their rush.
We limit driving to six or seven hours per day. As the principal trip planner, I calculate the total driving time and divide it by six. For example, if the drive is thirty-five hours, we spend six nights on the road and time at our destination.
Each driver takes no more than two hours shift behind the wheel at a time.
We leave after breakfast, stop for lunch and ensure we’re checked into our hotel before dinner. We have dinner and maybe play some games.