Andre Berclaz Of Bridgehampton Dies March 16

Andre Berclaz of Bridgehampton died on March 16 at Southampton Hospital from complications related to Alzheimer’s disease. He was 89.

Mr. Berclaz was born in Sierre, Switzerland on November 23, 1931. In his later teenage years, he moved to Geneva, Switzerland, where he did his sommelier apprenticeship. Mr. Berclaz then worked in some of the finest hotels in Switzerland including the Lausanne Palace and Hotel des Bergues in Geneva.

Mr. Berclaz moved to Toronto in 1957 to learn English and continue learning the restaurant/hotel industry. He met his wife Paulette, also from Switzerland, in Toronto. They were married in 1958. They went to Long Island on their honeymoon to visit family and never left. They settled in Suffolk County and had their two children Michael and Catherine. Mr. Berclaz was proud to become an American citizen and believed in working hard and helping others in the community.

In 1964, they moved to East Islip and opened Andre’s Swiss Chalet restaurant.

Mr. Berclaz and his wife were the only employees the first years of the restaurant, opened seven days per week. Mr. Berclaz worked the front of house as host, waiter, sommelier, and barman. He also wrote the menu and many of the recipes. He loved cooking “Andre’s Duck Flambe” in front of the diners’ tables. After a few years, Mr. Berclaz expanded the business, and the restaurant was a big success. Rave reviews by Newsday and the New York Times cemented Andre’s Swiss Chalet as one of the best dining experiences on Long Island.

In addition to the restaurant, Mr. Berclaz was an avid and skilled sportsman. He was a skier, hockey player, runner and, most of all, a cyclist. Mr. Berclaz started his cycling career in his early 20s in Switzerland and won some championship races, but quit the sport when he moved to the United States.

He started cycling again in his mid-30s and won many road races on Long Island and New York City. In 1972, Mr. Berclaz was crowned U.S. National Road Cycling Champion in the Veteran Category at the age of 41. He would train up to 250 miles per day in between shifts at his restaurant.

When living in East Islip, Mr. Berclaz and his family would often day trip to the East End. Many family/friend picnics and outings were held at Hither Hills Park in Montauk and Bridgehampton.

In 1987, Mr. Berclaz and his wife purchased Cato’s Restaurant at 95 School Street in Bridgehampton. They made renovations and reopened as Berclaz restaurant. Once again, the couple’s restaurant was a great success with rave reviews. Mr. Berclaz loved the restaurant business and was an excellent host. He knew all his customers and their favorites dishes. He looked forward every day to greeting customers at the restaurant and sharing stories with them.

Mr. Berclaz and his wife loved to travel and throughout their lives returned yearly to Switzerland to see their family. They traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, Brazil, Ireland, Chile and Argentina. They loved experiencing new adventures and cultures, their family said.

During this time, Mr. Berclaz continued bike racing, ski racing and running marathon. In the years 2000 to 2017, he ran the New York City Marathon twice and multiple mountain marathons in Switzerland, including the famous Sierre-Zinal race. He skied with U.S. Chef’s Ski Club and won numerous races and championships in the individual and team category up until he was 80 years old. He was also a member of the German Ski Club and skied up in Vermont and won ASRA races also until he was in his early 80s. Up until he was 85 years old, Mr. Berclaz could be seen riding his bike in Bridgehampton and the area every day. On a good day, he would do a Bridgehampton-Montauk round trip.

In his last years, Mr. Berclaz enjoyed being closer to home with his wife Paulette. He enjoyed wood carving, walking, traveling to Maine and Vermont. Up until COVID hit, he enjoyed his daily morning ritual of walking to the Candy Kitchen and sitting at the counter with his morning friends and speaking with Gus and his wonderful staff who watched out for him in his later years. He loved the feeling of community being at the counter and seeing people come and go.

Mr. Berclaz is survived by his wife Paulette; his son Michael; and daughter Catherine. He is also survived by numerous Swiss relatives including his sisters and in-laws, nieces and nephews and also in the United States numerous cousins.

In lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Andre Berclaz can be made to: The Bridgehampton Fire Department, P.O. Box 1280, Bridgehampton, NY 11932.