Bernie was born in South Amercia and at the age of thirteen immigrated with his family to Toronto. He was always interested in using his hands and learned the complex trade of carpentry and general woodworking as a young man. His skill was apparent to those who knew his work and he decided to share his knowledge with others who were interested in carpentry and construction. He registered at the Teachers’ College of the University of Toronto to learn the craft of teaching. While at Teachers’ College he met a woman, who would soon be his wife. In 1981 they moved from Toronto to Kemptville, her hometown where Bernie became a supply tech teacher at the local high schools. It wasn’t full-time employment and left some gaps in Bernie’s time. Never one to be idle, Bernie soon decided to start his own construction company called B. Machado Construction and Woodworking Limited while also supply teaching at the schools.
After 10 years, Bernie found full-time work at South Grenville High School in Prescott as a Carpentry and Woodworking Shop Teacher. It was there that he met another teacher, Bob Gollanger who was also on the board of 
directors for Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands. At that time, they were looking at creating a triplex in Prescott and he approached Bernie about giving his shop students ‘real-life experience’ on a job site. Bernie thought it was a good idea for his students and for Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands. Students were getting on the job training and Habitat for Humanity was receiving volunteer man power.
It was 2011/12 and that was the beginning. With careful guidance, copious amounts of patience and a keen eye for talent Bernie shepherded his willing students through the building process. But school ends in the summer and the project still needed to be completed. The deadline was looming and it was decided that Bernie and his construction company would finish the job by participating and overseeing other contractors and volunteers. This would mean supervising up to 20 different contractors and volunteers at any given time – no small feat!
After the close of the summer Bernie went back to teaching. Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands continued with their building but they were struggling. They were depending on volunteers to carry on where Bernie left off and without his extensive knowledge and dedication they were not making great progress. They discussed their predicament with Bernie who told them that they needed to have a dedicated supervisor in order to be on time and on budget. If they didn’t neither one would be met. He also explained that volunteers were very important to the job but could not necessarily have the knowledge to supervise the work of contractors.
Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands advertised for a site supervisor and several applied but one of the key criteria for the job involved knowledge of working with volunteers. All candidates were strong but no one but Bernie had worked with volunteers and Bernie was awarded the job.
In 2013, after accepting his new position, Bernie decided to dedicate his efforts to construction and left his teaching job behind him but that didn’t mean he no longer involved students on a Habitat project. Through his connections with the school Bernie was still able to provide students with valuable life skills’ on-the-job training while also assisting Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands with their volunteer needs.
Bernie still operates his construction and woodworking company independent of Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands – taking on jobs all over the locality. He has a hobby farm dedicated to raising beef and chicken that he runs from his home outside of Kemptville.
In his down time, he is a pilot and flies his own plane. He is a British sports car enthusiast and loves tinkering with his Harley Davidson motorcycle. Bernie also practices archery as his choice for competitive sport and recreational activity.
Everyone who knows Bernie says he is a busy, busy man who can really get things done.
For Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands, people like Bernie are the lifeblood of the organization. If you would like to become involved on a build or in our Brockville ReStore with your talents or as a volunteer we would love to hear from you.