Unique Muskoka August

has a way of calming and relaxing you
that feels very spiritual.”
Fishing is one of Bernie’s passions in
life. He has dozens of rods lining the
walls of a room in the boathouse, along
with a sign proclaiming “Bernie’s Bait
Shop.” He cherishes the sign, which was
a gift at an event that paid homage to his
40 years in medicine and philanthropy.
The fundraiser proceeds went to the
Campaign to Cure Arthritis at Toronto
Western Hospital and the guest list read
like a who’s who of Canada. Eddie
Greenspan and former Prime Minister
Brian Mulroney, along with many
others, honoured Bernie for his work
and for his good works.
One of the points speakers stressed
was how he treats everyone the same.
One of his oldest fishing buddies – and a
man he greatly respects – is Laurie
Mackinnon, a longtime property manager
for the Rogers family and a lifelong resident
of south Muskoka.
Bernie has only one rule when out on the
water – no talking about medicine. He
ruminates, “Last year Laurie and I were out
in the fall and for a long while we just drifted
and looked at the autumn colours and
thought about how lucky we were.” Even
the fishing took a back seat for awhile.
Bernie and Susan describe family as
“everything” to them. They have four
accomplished daughters, two of whom
are married with children.
Despite the good life he’s enjoyed, the
accolades he’s received and the friends
he’s made, Bernie never forgets his
modest beginnings. His parents were
Polish immigrants who worked hard to
raise their children. His earliest days were
spent in a one-room Ottawa tenement
where love and respect were in abundance,
even as material things were not.
“I think that if you forget where you
came from, you risk losing your very
identity, your sense of self,” he muses
pensively.
The cottage, which was nonwinterized,
is 2,550 square feet and was
built in 1974. A master wing was added in
1991 and provides a serene bedroom retreat
for the couple. A large boathouse/bunkie
Bernie and Susan
Gosevitz relax in one
of their favourite
spots. The dock on
the side of the
boathouse provides
close proximity to
the water with shade
from the hot sun.
Above: Rebecca, her
husband David and
their daughter
Hannah share a
moment in the
boathouse. It
provides a retreat
for the couple and
their four children.
Rebecca enjoys
spending time at her
parents’ cottage.
August 2016 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 69