Bernard J. Bird, 94, died Oct. 1 from kidney failure in the Maryhaven nursing home in Glenview. A 1928 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Mr. Bird played football his freshman year until an injury ended his athletic career. Mr. Bird lived most of his life in Buffalo, N.Y., and had been a resident of Northbrook since 1985. In Buffalo, he served as both the city and the county treasurer in the late 1940s and early 50s. He also taught high school classics and was a professor of sociology at Canisius College in Buffalo. Described as “intellectual and scholarly,” Mr. Bird favored bow ties. “If he had to go out to the back yard to rake leaves, he wore a bow tie,” said his son, Dr. John J. Bird. Other survivors include his wife, Marie; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held on Oct. 11.
