James Bergen

James T. Bergen Jr., 96 of Henrietta Boulevard, Amsterdam, NY; passed away Wednesday morning August 5, 2015 at Mountain Valley Hospice in Gloversville, NY.

Born in Amsterdam, NY, September 2, 1918, he was the son of the late James T. and Janette Blood Bergen Sr.

Jim was a 1937 graduate of St. Mary’s Institute in Amsterdam. He attended Union College in Schenectady and West Point Prep in New York City and took various courses through American Insurance Alliance in Boston MA.

Jim was an honorably discharged United States Army veteran serving from 1937 to 1938 in the 18th Infantry, 1st Division at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, NY.

Jim was employed at Mohawk Carpet in 1939, General Electric Co., from 1940 to 1946; He started in the insurance business in1948 as Field Supervisor for Indiana Lumbermen’s & Exchange Mutual of Buffalo, supervising all Northeastern States from 1952 to 1975. He was part owner of Martin & Bergen Insurance Company in Amsterdam from 1975 to 1985 when he retired. Since then he worked part time in Real Estate and doing courier work for Amsterdam Savings Bank.

Jim was a parishioner and communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Amsterdam.

He was a Life Member of the Knights of Columbus Council 209, Charter Member of the Irish American Club, a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, John J. Wyszomirski American Legion Post 701, James T. Bergen American Legion Post 39, Past President of Empire State 1752 Insurance Club of New York and New England, Mutual Agents Association of New York and New England. A past member of the Albany Diocese School Board and Bishop Scully High School , School Board, past member of Montgomery Transitional Services Board of Directors and served on the insurance committee with representatives of the City of Amsterdam.

Jim is survived by his wife of 75 years, Grace Pollard Bergen to whom he married May 17, 1940, one daughter, Karen Tuman, (Mike) of Erdenheim, PA; one son, James T. Bergen III of Kennett Square, PA, two grandsons, Dr. Ryan M. Tuman and Christopher James Tuman both of Philadelphia, PA.

Jim was also predeceased by a daughter, Bonnie Lee Bergen in 1961.

Funeral services will be held Saturday morning at 10:15 at the Riley Mortuary, Inc., 110 Division Street, Amsterdam, NY; followed at 11:00 by a Mass of Christian Burial, which will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church 156 East Main Street, Amsterdam, NY.

Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Fort Johnson, NY.

Calling hours are Friday from 4 to 7 at the Riley Mortuary.

Memorial gifts in Jim’s name may be made to Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263 or St. Mary’s Institute, 10 Kopernik Blvd; Amsterdam, NY 12010.