Bernard Shellist, 91

Trombone Player and 5-Days-a-Week Golfer

Musician and real estate broker Bernard Shellist, a former resident of Pacific Palisades, passed away on July 10. He was 91. The only son of Stefan Shellist and Anna Tyndiuk, Bernie was born on August 20, 1916 in Lvov, Ukraine. At the age of six, he immigrated with his family to Canada in the hold of a ship. The Ukrainians were a strong breed and many had immigrated to the lake lands of Kenora, in Ontario, to help build the Canadian railroads. Bernie spent his boyhood playing violin and trombone. In the 1930s, he played lead trombone with orchestras and big bands. He later traveled across Canada and the United States with the Mart Kenny Orchestra, entertaining the troops during World War II. In 1946, Bernie married vocalist Rita Lillian Jones in Hamilton, Ontario, and in 1953, the couple immigrated to California and settled in Pacific Palisades. The Shellists raised three daughters, Jan, Corrine and Lorelei, who attended Corpus Christi School, Palisades High and University High. As real estate brokers they owned and operated Shellist Realtors on Sunset. In 1973, they sold their house at 1122 Via de la Paz for $42,500 and relocated to San Diego, where they continued to pursue their real estate and music careers. Together they played in big bands, orchestras and jazz combos throughout San Diego County until early this century. The two of them also shared a love for the game of golf. In 1987, each scored aces on the same third hole at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, qualifying them for the PGA Hole-in-One Club. Bernie cared for Rita’s declining health until her peaceful passing on May 11, 2003, at 83. For the next four years, he continued playing in two orchestras and golfing five days a week. “If I can’t play golf or play my music and if I cannot contribute to society, then I don’t want to be here,’ he said. ‘I have had a great and full life and if I die, I’ll die a happy man.” Bernie Shellist made his transition to the other side at 1:06 p.m., July 10, with his daughters and granddaughter singing “When the Saints Go Marching In.” A memorial jamboree will take place at Mission Bay Yacht Club in San Diego on August 19 from 2 to 5 p.m. Please RSVP to loreleis@mac.com or (310)-770-0454. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mesa College Foundation (note “Shellist Memorial Music Scholarship”), c/o Kathleen Fennessey, Senior Secretary, Student Affairs, 7250 Mesa College Drive, H500/501, San Diego, CA 92111.