A prominent local businessman is being fondly remembered as a stalwart supporter of the province’s sealing industry and an all around good person.

Bernie Halloran, the long-time owner of Always in Vogue on Water Street in St. John’s, passed away last night following a lengthy illness.

His son Darren says his father had a way to make people feel special. Good friend and former premier Danny Williams says Halloran had a motto that he lived by.

One of his favourite sayings, according to Williams, was “why can’t we all get along?” when referencing any kind of conflict or world problem. “He always was optimistic,” and would “spin a very, very positive note on anything that he heard.”

Bernie and his wife Cindy purchased Always in Vogue (previously known as Vogue Furriers) from Ben and Louis Friedman back in March of 1997.

Williams says Halloran was a champion of the local industry nationally and internationally, and proudly displayed local products and sold them all over the world. Williams says Halloran was “forever optimistic” despite suffering a serious illness for an extended period of time that he fought bravely. Quoting a song by Tina Turner, Williams says Halloran was “Simply the best. Better than all the rest.”