Peter J. Bergen of Southampton, Manhattan and Savannah, Georgia, died on October 13 after a courageous battle with cancer. A member of the New York Stock Exchange, he was 75.
Born December 5, 1932, in Brooklyn, he attended Poly Prep, New Hampton School and the University of Virginia before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He was a trustee of the Boys Club of New York, a senior warden at the Church of the Epiphany in Manhattan, and a member of the Piping Rock Golf Club in Locust Valley, the Holland Society and the Brook Club in New York City, and the Southampton Club.
A proud patriot and a bon vivant extraordinaire, according to survivors, Mr. Bergen had a talent for living life to the fullest: no one enjoyed a fine cigar, a good scotch, a round of golf or watching a Mets game more than he. He was at his best firing bon mots around the table, belting out bar songs or hymns, or telling tall tales, they added.
In addition to his wife, Susan Wagner Bergen, he is survived by a daughter, Susan Mandl of Ithaca; two sons, Schuyler Bergen of Vermont and Peter J. Bergen Jr. of Westchester; four granddaughters, Angelica, Adriene, Claire and Sarah; and one grandson, Graham.
Visitation was on October 16 at Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home in Manhattan. Funeral services were on October 17 at the Church of the Epiphany.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Kevin O’Shea Fund—R.Hanson ITF for Kevin O’Shea Supplemental Fund, Denise Sturm, 333 Pearl Street, Apartment 9K, New York, New York 11038 would be appreciated by the family. In addition, letters of condolence may be forwarded to Mrs. Susan Wagner Bergen, 505 E. 82nd Street, Apartment 6B, New York, New York 10028, or The Bergen Children c/o Peter Bergen Jr., 23 Huron Road, Yonkers, New York 10710.
on Oct 20, 2008