Founder Of Cape Cod Potato Chips Brand Dies

"Steve was fundamental in bringing that kind of chip back into popularity," said McCarthy, who called Bernard a great entrepreneur.

Bernard sold the company to Anheuser-Busch in 1985, but reacquired it when the brewer sold its Eagle Snacks division. Lance Inc. bought the company in 1999.

Bernard started Chatham Village Foods gourmet croutons in 1990 and sold it to Lancaster Colony Corp. in 1997.

Throughout his life, he encouraged and advised other natural foods entrepreneurs, even his competitors, his daughter said.

He was officially retired when Dawes wanted to start Late July Organic Snacks, a natural cracker and cookie company. He did not hesitate lending his expertise and the company was started in 2003.

Bernard, a Concord, N.H., native, graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1969 with a degree in economics. Rather than join the rat race, Bernard and a friend hitchhiked across the country, fighting forest fires in Alaska, sailing to the Turks & Caicos Islands, living in Puerto Rico and fishing for tuna out of New Bedford, Dawes said.