BERGOS
Alexander James
August 7, 1926 - October 30, 2021
It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our father, Alex Bergos in Drumheller on October 30th, 2021, at the age of 95.
Alexander James Bergos was born on August 7th, 1926, on the family farm in the Orkney district, 20 miles northwest of Drumheller. Dad was one of 7 children born to Peter and Florence Bergos.
Our grandpa, Peter Bergos was a Greek immigrant who homesteaded in the Orkney district in 1906 and fought in the Boer War in South Africa and World War I in Europe.
After WW1, grandpa returned to England where he met and married our grandma, Florence Scaiff of Liverpool. They then both returned to Orkney to begin their life as farmers.
This marriage would produce 7 children, Peter Jr, Marie, Donald, Jeanne, Alexander, Margaret, and Barbara.
Grandpa had the misfortune of a farming accident and passed away on November 4th, 1931, of blood poisoning. After grandpa’s passing, grandma was left to raise her 7 children and manage the family farm through the cold winter of 1931/1932. In the spring of 1932, Robert Mueller found grandma a hired hand, Mungo Dobson. Dobson became an integral part of the family and helped grandma with the farm.
Dad and his siblings all attended the one-room school in Orkney and on many days walked the 2 miles to school as “Gyp” the family pony could only carry two at a time.
In his youth, Dad became well known throughout the district as a strong athlete playing ball and hockey. In the spring of 1941, at the young age of 14, Dad had the misfortune of losing his right arm in a threshing machine incident.
This ended Dad’s aspirations of becoming a professional athlete, but regardless of losing his right arm, he continued to play ball, and hockey at a competitive level. He fondly remembered and would often share stories of his time playing ball and hockey against Gordon Taylor and the Center Street Boys as well as numerous district teams from Churchill, Hesketh, Munson, Morrin, Lumni, and Ghostpine. Spectators from all around were fascinated with our Dad’s ability to catch and throw a baseball with one hand, or his ability to play goalie with only a stick and no glove.
When Dad’s brother Peter and sister Marie joined the Armed Forces, Dad stayed behind to help grandma and Dobson with the family farm. It was during this time Dad created his strong bond with his best friend and accomplice Harold Mueller.
After Dobson’s death in 1956, Dad continued farming, growing wheat and barley, and raising cattle, pigs, chickens, and turkeys. Dad worked in a partnership with his neighbours, Frank Cole and Raymond Jungling. Together, they shared the work and the machinery. It proved to be a very successful farming operation that was established by a simple handshake agreement.
In 1957 Dad married our mother, Dorothy Porter from Drumheller and a few years later in 1960 mom and Dad became the proud parents of their daughter Sharon followed in 1963 by their son Grant.
While on the farm Dad was actively engaged with the community and was a member of the Orkney Athletic Association, Orkney 4H Club,
Drumheller Royal Canadian Legion, Masonic Lodge, and Member of the Sarcee United Church.
In 1985 mom and Dad moved off the farm and into Drumheller where Dad kept busy in retirement. Even in retirement, he was never far from the farm and continually had the farmer’s mentality of checking crops and the weather.
His days always started with a coffee with the gang and a trip to the Pioneer Centre. He then filled the rest of his day by being a loving Papa to his three grandchildren, Corbett, Maria, and Kia, and eventually getting much delight being a great grandpa to Theo. He attended all the school and athletic events of his grandchildren and never missed an opportunity to support them.
Dad was predeceased by his parents Peter and Florence, his six siblings, his wife Dorothy, and mourned the loss of his grandson Corbett Schaffer.
Dad will be missed immeasurably by his Daughter Sharon, Son Grant, Daughter in Law Tweet, Grandchildren Maria and Grant, Kia and Trevor, and Great Grandson Theo.
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” – James 1:12
Our family wishes to thank Dr. Chetty, Dr. Mateer and all the staff at the Drumheller Long Term Care for providing excellent care and
compassion to Dad over the years.
If friends so desire memorial tributes can be made to the Drumheller Health Foundation specifically towards the Recreation Department or to the charity of their choice. Courtney-Winters Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
He’s Not A Scot
A tribute to Alex by the late Marcus Moar (Bergos’ neighbour)
He’s not a Scot, though we claim him as one
He grew up with us, just like the rest
The school we attended was Orkney you see
That’s why we say it’s the best
His growing years were spent on the farm
School and the books were not for this lad
Sports of all sorts, you name it, he tried
To excel at each, though absent a Dad
The young lad grew to be big and strong.
He ate in the homes of Scotsmen here,
So we take some credit for his stature as well.
We’re all one family that live ‘round here
Regardless of where our parents are from.
Remember this boy had lost his dad,
So Mother was given a greater task;
And still another blow was in store for this lad.
Hockey or ball, he was destined for fame
But it wasn’t to be, sad to say
For to part with right arm, he soon came to know
Forlorn with the mysteries to face each day.
He had pride and reality too.
Renewed in strength, courage and pride
We all gave him support and help to stand
Coward he’s not, and he’s known far and wide.
Back to school for a short time
The teacher thought it would be best
To sit next to me, for writing you see.
You know by now, I’m a lefty - you guessed
It wasn’t long and he was on his way
Sports called him back and he didn’t look back
At hockey, his frame filled the net
To score a goal - you’d be so glad!
To see him play ball was a delight to the fan
That arm could pick flies from the air with ease
And throw to the base like a pro
Then to the bat, with the bend of the knees
The swing of the bat and the ball hit the trees
The pitchers soon learned, it was no easy task
Facing this man, many would freeze.
Handicapped you say? no doubt it could be
To many of us, I’ll agree
but he took it in stride (which is close to a yard)
And did his best with lifes opportunities
He’s still farming today
Should be proud what he’s done
The tasks this man in a day must do
Few would be able to say they had won.
