John Joseph Bergmann

AVERILL PARK – John Joseph Bergmann, 75, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, surrounded by his loving family, at Health Park Medical Center in Ft. Myers, Florida.  John was born on April 20, 1948, in Troy, NY, and was the son of the late Charles W. and Mary T. (McCarthy) Bergmann.  He attended schools in the Troy School District and enjoyed spending his summers boating and waterskiing at a family camp on Glass Lake.  He also enjoyed fishing, playing hockey, and building a Lionel model train layout with his dad.  John was an avid Boy Scout, and eventually attained the rank of Eagle Scout. After graduating from Troy High School in 1966, he attended SUNY Oswego, where he continued playing hockey, and majored in Education with a concentration in Industrial Arts.  While at Oswego, shortly after graduation, he met Nancy, the love of his life.  They married in 1971, bought a small home in Averill Park, NY and started their family.  John began working at Troy High School as an Industrial Arts teacher, while he coached the varsity hockey team at LaSalle Institute in Troy.  John spent his entire professional career with the Troy School District, later becoming the Principal of the Alternate Learning Center, the Coordinator of Occupational Education at THS, and eventually he was named House Principal of Troy High School in 1998, where he served until his retirement in 2003.

 While raising their four children in their home on Crooked Lake, John was very active in his community.  He was a trustee at the Church of the Covenant in Averill Park, an active member of the Sand Lake Kiwanis Club, Albany Yacht Club and Crooked Lake Improvement Association.  He was also a Boy Scout Troop Leader, and coached his 4 kids in the Averill Park Youth Soccer and Classie Lassie Softball leagues.  He could often be found cheering for his kids during their games and activities and yelling for them to “Boot It!” during their soccer games.  He was always a supportive and enthusiastic spectator, and that continued when he later enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s games and events.  After surviving an aortic dissection, 19.5 years ago, John and Nancy volunteered at the hospital that saved him and gave him the nickname of “Miracle Man”.  He also volunteered at the Albany Damien Center in the summers.

 John’s enthusiasm and love for life was unmatched.  He was the life of the party and lit up every room that he entered.  He loved having a microphone and was always the first one out on the dance floor.  He was quick witted, a skilled craftsman, and a jack of all trades; building two homes, and fully renovating their home in Cape Coral three times. He was always available to help with a project, and famously said, “you’ve got to plan your work, and then you can work your plan”. John’s biggest source of pride was the big and beautiful family he created with Nancy.  They were fortunate to have been able to travel with many of them this past summer, on a cruise to Bermuda to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary (2 years delayed due to Covid).  Heenjoyed making memories with his family, helping his kids in any way he could, fishing with his sons, watching the NY Rangers and NY Giants, listening to Jimmy Buffet music while boating on the Hudson River, Crooked Lake and in Florida, boat trips with the Merry Mariners Boat Club of Cape Coral andbreakfasts with fellow Troy School District retirees on Wednesdays at the Alexis Diner. John also loved traveling the United States and the world, hand in hand with his love and best travel partner, and most memorably, always dancing with the love of his life in the kitchen as they prepared dinners. 

 He was smart and funny, loving, caring, meticulous with details, and the absolute best husband, dad, and grandpa, you could ever ask for.  He is going to be immensely missed by everyone who knew him.  

John is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Nancy (Carmody) Bergmann, his loving children, Paula Hanlon (Dan)of Averill Park, NY, J. Matthew (Catherine J) Bergmann of Averill Park, NY, Karl (Ingrid) Bergmann of Mechanicsburg, PA, and Keith (Kelly) Bergmann of Wynantskill, NY; his cherished grandchildren, Julia and Grace Hanlon, Matalyn (Danny) Vongphouthone, Abby Bergmann, Erica Burton, Noah, Brianna, Nathan, Hailey, Reese, and Aliya Bergmann, and his fur baby, Molly.  He is also survived by many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.  In addition to his parents, John is predeceased by his brother, William C. (Mary Ann T.) Bergmann and his sister, Mary Elizabeth.

John’s family would request donations in his memory be made to the Church of the Covenant PO Box 306 Averill Park, NY 12018 or to the Albany Damien Center, 728 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY 12208.

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