Bernie was born the son of the late Walter D. Nutter and Blanche Lynch Nutter. He proudly served his country in the US Marine Corps for 4 years and later continued in service of his community with the Wilmington Police Department for 8 years. He would go on to work for the DuPont Company for 20 years before accepting a position with the State of Delaware at the Department of Motor Vehicles on Airport Road in New Castle, where he retired as a manager in 1989 after 20 years of service. During his career with the state, he was honored by both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms for his many years of invaluable assistance in their ongoing investigations. A leader in the local fire service community since joining the Wilmington Manor Volunteer Fire Company on June 17, 1958, Mr. Nutter held many offices during his career as a firefighter, including president, member of the board of directors, rescue lieutenant, rescue captain, and company fire marshal. He was also a member of the fire police for over 30 years, and, for this outstanding record, was honored with the title of Life Member by the Delaware State Fire Police. During his tenure with Wilmington Manor, Mr. Nutter was also instrumental in expanding the company's resources to better serve the community. He was a member of the committees that spearheaded the purchase and renovation of Station 32, and later both the purchase and construction of the new Station 32 and Station 28. On the state level, he was an instructor for the Delaware State Fire School and, using his excellent photography skills, served as a fire scene photographer for the Delaware State Fire Marshal's Office. Mr. Nutter also served for a time as the president of the Minquadale Fire Company and was an honorary member of the Good Will and Minquas fire companies. Active in the Masonic order for many years, Mr. Nutter was a member and Past Master of Washington Lodge #1, AF&AM, and had served on the staff of the Grand Lodge of Delaware. He was also a member of the Delaware Consistory, Washington & Lafayette Chapter #1, RAM, Gunning Bedford Council #1, R&SM, and St. John's Commandery #1, KT. In addition to his many fire service and Masonic responsibilities, Mr. Nutter was a longtime member and past president of the Penn Acres Civic Association and a member of the US Marine Corps League. His beloved wife, Julia T. "Angel" Massetti Nutter, died in 2004. He is survived by his son, Bernard A. Nutter II and wife, Maryann, grandson, Allen B. Nutter, granddaughter, Ashley E. Nutter, all of Newark; brother, William F. Nutter of New Castle; nephew, William F. Nutter II of Wilmington; great nephew, Skip Nutter of New Castle; and great niece, Laura Nutter-Maxwell of New Castle.