Gene Bergh

Tribute

The following is a tribute that I wrote for my Granddaddy Gene at his memorial service in February 2015. My birthday is this month, and since it is Sepsis Awareness month, I would love to have this published in his honor.

“A true southern gentleman”. This is how Gene is mostly remembered by his friends and family. He also had many affectionate titles, such as Brother, Cuz, Deddy (that’s the way my momma says it!), Dad, Gene, Granddaddy Gene, Mr. Bergh, Gdaddy, and Granddaddy the Great.

To me, he was Granddaddy Gene and he was the reason I fell in love with the University of Virginia. My favorite Christmas present for years was a UVA football season ticket for the following season. I loved going to games and tailgating with our group. I couldn’t wait to travel to away games and bowl games; it was always an adventure! Often, when someone sees me wearing my Virginia sweatshirt or flip flops and they ask, “Did you go there?” my answer is always, “No, I was born a fan.” And now, Granddaddy Gene has passed away a fan.

My brother, Jonathan, liked to give Granddaddy Gene a hard time because he liked Carolina. I remember one Christmas a few years ago that he and Joyce gave Jonathan a UNC t-shirt; he couldn’t believe it! Jonathan liked taking road trips with Granddaddy Gene when he was younger down to Charlotte to watch the Hornets play. He would tell me about seeing the Lakers and meeting players. They often went to dinner together too, to both Hooters and Spinnakers. I never really did get the whole story on who picked which restaurant, but I know they both enjoyed the company.

My family and I loved going visit Granddaddy Gene and Joyce at Fripp Island for vacation each year. His two great grandsons, Patrick and Conor, enjoyed the playing on the beach, crabbing, feeding the deer and taking Wahoo on walks with their Granddaddy the Great. Sean and I have been married for nearly 5 years and up until the day he passed, he called him, Mr. Bergh. Sean loved playing golf and talking about whichever sport was in season with him. And I will always remember his hat “ponytail”, him saying, “I know it” and chuckling about whatever we were talking about and him going to “rest his eyes” when he wanted to take a nap.

If you ever asked him, Granddaddy Gene would say that he wasn’t into social media. However, when a picture was posted of him, he would check every now and then to see how many “likes” it had. He got a kick out of it! Over the last week of his life while in the hospital fighting a terrible infection, we would talk to him and tell him how many people “liked” and commented on pictures and updates on his health. Even though he couldn’t express how he felt at the time, I want you all to know how loved it made us that are closest to him feel. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers during this roller coaster ride we took with him. We will always be grateful.

Here are a few of the amazing things you all had to say about my Granddaddy Gene:

He touched many lives in a powerful, wonderful way. What a great legacy he leaves.

He was the epitome of a true and kind Southern gentleman.

The world has lost a wonderful person. He will be missed by many.

He was such a gentle, kind man.

Gene was a great guy and an old friend

I lost a good friend. So did Wahoo and the Virginia Cavaliers

The consummate class act whom I am proud to call my friend

image8

Source: Melissa Casey (Gene's granddaughter)

Send us Your Story
Learn More about SepsisSupport Faces of Sepsis