Bernard Johan Nieuwenhuis Jr., a longtime Weston resident, died peacefully in his home after a long and courageous battle with COPD and cancer on November 10. He was 83 years old. Bernard (fondly known as Bernie) was born in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, to Bernard Nieuwenhuis and Cornelia Matthiasson Nieuwenhuis on February 14, 1941.

After serving in the Dutch Army (infantry) and graduating from the internationally renowned Vakschool Voor Fotografie en Fototechniek in The Hague, Bernie was eager to explore the world through the lens of a camera.

A storied athlete and sports fan, he moved to Brussels, Belgium and worked as a staff photographer for various magazines, covering major sporting events such as the Tour de France and European soccer tournaments.

On a trip to the US in 1968, he was so enamored by New York City and the fascinating subjects it presented for his camera that he decided to stay for good. Once there, he spent two years working with the acclaimed photographer Herb Loebel where he was first introduced to the advertising industry.

In 1971, Bernie moved to CT where he spent the rest of his professional life running his own successful commercial photography business. It was also in CT in 1973 that he met the love of his life, Marjorie Ann Heller. A year later on December 26, they married and Bernie eventually built his dream photography studio in their Weston, CT home. When he closed his business in 1992, he finished his working days as the manager of the music department at Barnes & Noble in Westport, CT where he shared his deep knowledge of music (especially jazz) with the local clientele.

Throughout his life, Bernie found joy in travel, fine dining and entertaining friends and family. Stemming from his European heritage, he was a connoisseur of beer, wine and cheese and loved to cook, especially his famous crepes which he made practically every Sunday morning.

He also had a lifelong passion for designing and building everything from sets for the Westport-Weston Community Theatre to dollhouses for both his daughter and granddaughter. And, not a day went by that he did not read the New York Times from cover to cover and completely finish the crossword puzzle. He will be missed for his charm, sensitivity, and quick wit.

Bernie is survived by his wife, Marjorie; a younger brother, Ronald Nieuwenhuis; a daughter, Caroline (husband Allan) Grauberd; a granddaughter, Jessica Grauberd; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is predeceased by his parents, Bernard and Cornelia Nieuwenhuis; his sister, Ineke Nieuwenhuis; and his son, James Nieuwenhuis.

Bernie requested not to have a memorial service. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the James L. Nieuwenhuis Scholarship Fund at the Cornell University S.C. Johnson School of Business, a cause close to Bernie’s heart.