Bernard M. Utset

Bernard M. Utset, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, physician and friend, passed away peacefully in Plantation, Florida, on May 30, 2026, at the age of 95.

Born in Manzanillo, Cuba, Bernard was the eldest of five siblings and grew up in a close-knit family that shaped his values. In Manzanillo he met Carmen Andraca, the love of his life. They married in 1955, beginning a partnership that lasted for 62 years until her passing in 2018.

Bernard pursued a medical education in Cuba and received the Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Havana in 1955. Following his graduation, Bernard and Carmen came to the United States for their honeymoon, and they moved to Chicago for his internship and residency training in Family Practice. Atlhough they had intended to return to their homeland after his medical training, the revolution in Cuba upended their plans, and they instead built their lives in the United States, first in Chicago and then in Plantation, Florida.

In Chicago their home was filled with family. All five of their children were born in Chicago, and they welcomed into their home many relatives and friends fleeing the Cuban dictatorship, providing them love, stability and support as they began their new lives in the United States. In 1971, they moved to Plantation to be closer to many of their relatives who had settled in Florida. Carmen and Bernard’s marriage was marked by devotion and a shared commitment to creating opportunities for future generations. The family they built together was the most important part of their lives.

Bernard took great pride in each of his five children. He was deeply committed to their education, working to ensure each had the opportunity to learn, grow, and build successful lives. Though he was not outwardly expressive and often held his children to impossibly high standards, he showed his love through consistent effort and quiet sacrifices, and his devotion to his family was evident in the life he worked to provide and the values he passed on.

He dedicated his professional life to family medicine, caring for patients across generations and forming lasting relationships within the communities he served. He practiced with intelligence, skill and deep responsibility. His professional life extended into his own family where he had the special privilege of delivering one of his nieces and was present for the high-risk delivery of a nephew--moments that reflected both his skill as a physician and the trust placed in him by those closest to him.

Bernard also had a playful and competitive spirit. He loved games of all kinds and never shied away from a challenge. Whether gathered around a table playing Cuban poker or engaged in a board game, he enjoyed the thrill of competition and, especially, the satisfaction of winning. His sharp wit and understated humor often emerged in unexpected ways, bringing laughter to family and friends.

He had a lifelong fascination with the stock market. Long before online trading became commonplace, he spent countless hours studying stock charts, analyzing market trends, and searching for opportunity. The market was never just an investment to him—it was a puzzle to solve and a subject he loved to discuss. Family members and friends quickly learned that a casual question about stocks could lead to a lengthy lesson complete with chart analysis, market history, and predictions for what might come next. On numerous occasions, family and friends, especially grandchildren, found themselves trapped in an extended conversation while he enthusiastically pointed out patterns and trends on a chart, often requiring rescue by another family member. Though the lectures could be legendary, they reflected his curiosity, intelligence, and genuine passion for the stock market.

Among his many talents was an extraordinary intellect and a remarkable memory. Blessed with what seemed to be a photographic memory, he could study a list of names, facts, or figures and later recall them with astonishing accuracy. His sharp mind and love of puzzles were perhaps best demonstrated by his mastery of the Rubik's Cube. He could solve it with remarkable speed and skill even while holding it behind his back. His grandchildren knew another side of him as well: the magician who could somehow find quarters hidden behind their ears. No matter how many times he performed the trick, it never failed to bring smiles and laughter.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Carmen; his son, Bernardo M. Utset; his brothers, Camilo and Manuel Utset; and his sister, Mercedes Escobar.

He is survived by his children, Carmen Dwyer (David), Ofelia M. Utset (Thomas Kodadek), Manuel F. Utset (Tammy) and Dulce M. Stenglein (Mike); his grandchildren, Bradley Dwyer (Amelia Tuel), Kristin Keiner (AJ), Elizabeth Fiori (Carson), Michael Utset, Matthew Utset, Emily Utset, Cristina Kodadek, Henry Utset (Télyse), Julia Utset, Jessica Stenglein (Philip Kubiszyn) and Jack Stenglein; his great-grandchildren Timothy, Teresa, Cecilia and Andrea; and brother, George Utset (Clara); and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends whose lives were enriched by his presence.

He will be remembered for his determination, intelligence, sense of humor, love of games and poker, passion for the stock market, and strong commitment to his family. Though he will be deeply missed, his influence, lessons, and memories will remain with all who knew and loved him. His legacy will live on through the lives he helped shape, the opportunities he created, and the values that he instilled in future generations.

Bernard will be remembered at a Celebration of Life on July 11, 2026 from 11 am to 1 pm with a prayer service at noon at T.M. Ralph Plantation Funeral Home, 7001 N.W. 4th St., Plantation, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a charity meaningful to you in Bernard's memory.