Obituary of Lieutenant Colonel Bernard Alexander Provost

LIEUTENANT COLONEL BERNARD ALEXANDER PROVOST Yorktown, VA –Lieutenant Colonel Bernard Alexander Provost, 39, of Yorktown, Virginia, beloved husband of Joslyn Dawn Shapiro, died Tuesday, December 11, 2018 in Newport News, Virginia. Born in Albany and educated in Binghamton, he was the son of Debra Alexander and Edward Kreinheder. He entered the Air Force on active duty in 2004, graduating from Officer Training School in the top five percent of his class. Bernie served as a B-1 bomber weapon systems officer (WSO) and later piloted the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft. He served honorably in the Air Force for 15 years and achieved the acclaimed rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Bernie deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and provided reconnaissance and armed overwatch for American and coalition forces. He met his wife, who he called the love of his life, at a speed dating event in Las Vegas, NV after returning home from Afghanistan in 2015. Bernie wed Joslyn on July 22, 2017 at Saint Paul Cathedral Roman Catholic Church in Joslyn's hometown of Pittsburgh, PA. Bernie and Joslyn were most recently stationed at Langley Air Force Base, VA where Bernie worked as the Chief of Special Technical Operations at Headquarters, Air Combat Command. Although stationed at more than five military installations across the country and three deployed locations during his career, Bernie always remained extremely close with his mother, who he dearly appreciated for raising him well. He enjoyed fly fishing at every opportunity and loved music and playing the guitar and piano. He enjoyed meeting new people and generously gave of his time to help others. A practicing Catholic, Bernie enjoyed community involvement and actively participated in the Yorktown Council Knights of Columbus. His grandfather, Alexander Mashuta, who served in the Coast Guard in World War II, inspired Bernie to serve his country. During his time in service, Bernie earned a remarkable 19 Aerial Achievement Medals, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal. Survivors in addition to his wife and parents include his loving sister Kerstin (Tony) Berben and nephew Joey; grandmother Anne Wheeler Mashuta; aunt and uncle Ellen and Roger Livingston; aunts Carol Lorrain, Kay Clarke, and Joan Squires; and cousins Kara (Andy), Jameson and Myles Livingston-Rogers, and Beth (Marce), Katy Pearl and Gus Hoffman. Bernie was predeceased by his father, Bernard T. Provost, his grandfather, Alexander "Pop" Mashuta, and grandparents Pearl and Edward Kreinheder. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at Dufresne and Cavanaugh Funeral Home, 149 Old Louden Rd., Latham, NY. His Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m., Thursday December 20, 2018, at 347 Old Louden Rd. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, Cohoes. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bernie's name to the Wounded Warrior Project or to Catholic Charities. For directions, information, to light a memory candle or order flowers for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com.