By Nicole Falco
Bergen, who was one of eight children, grew up on Catherine Street. He graduated from his beloved Central High School in 1939. In high school, Bergen was quite an athlete, playing both baseball and basketball. After high school, he enlisted in the Air Force. A staff sergeant, he trained men for service during World War II.
"He was proud of his time in the military and was a true patriot," said his daughter, Donna B. Sena.
Bergen married his high school sweetheart, Doris White, in 1947, and the couple began their life together in the community where they both grew up. Bergen held several jobs after the war, one of which was as a fleet manager for Ford Trucking. He remained at Ford until he was appointed Valley Stream postmaster under President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968.
Bergen was very active in the community. He coached for the Valley Stream Mailleague, for which his son, Randy, played. He served on the board of Franklin Hospital for 35 years, until it became a member of the North Shore-LIJ Health System about two years ago. He served on the advisory board of the now closed Salvation Army Wayside Home School for Girls. And he was a longtime member of the Valley Stream Rotary Club, the Elks and the American Legion.
"He had endless energy when it came to helping others," his daughter said.
Because he had such fondness for his alma mater, Bergen devoted many volunteer hours to the Central High School Alumni Association. "His high school experience was so positive that he hoped all who attended Central would remain close and share the memories," Sena said.
Bergen remained good friends with many of his classmates, including Marge Chvatal, who was also active in the alumni association. "He was, you could say, the backbone of the alumni association," Chvatal said. "If you weren't a member and you saw him walking down the street toward you, then you'd better walk on the other side of the street if you didn't want to become a member."
Chvatal, who shared Bergen's love of the Yankees, will always be grateful to him for his monthly visits with her husband, Bep, after he suffered a stroke. Bergen got about a dozen of Bep's friends together, and the group called themselves the "Beppo Boys." They would bring lunch - liverwurst and rolls, and Chvatal had to provide the onions - and spend an afternoon with Bep, who was confined to a wheelchair for five years until his death. Even after Bep's death, Bergen and the boys made sure to visit Chvatal.
"I think when you're brought up in the same town like I was - I love Valley Stream," said Chvatal, who brought Bergen Holy Communion every week after he became ill. "I think Joe was like that. He certainly was very giving of himself as far as time and doing anything he could to help people."
Bergen was also very active politically. Involved in the Democratic Party, He ran for mayor against Henry Waldinger in 1963. He represented local Democrats as a delegate to national conventions and worked on many campaigns. Most recently, he was an active supporter of U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton and U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy.
Bergen was a member of the Valley Stream Park Commission Board of Trustees when the community's pool was under construction. He served as chairman of the village Planning Board during John DeGrace's tenure as mayor of Valley Stream, from 1987 to 1989. While on the Planning Board, Bergen was instrumental in implementing what DeGrace called "the most comprehensive recycling program in the state of New York" for the village.
Though Bergen was a Democrat and DeGrace a Republican, DeGrace, now the executive leader of the Valley Stream Republican Party, said that Bergen was always willing to bridge party lines if it was for the betterment of the community. "We'd often joke that the only day we worked against each other was on Election Day," DeGrace said.
DeGrace, who was recruited by Bergen to join the alumni association, recalled that even while in the hospital a couple of months ago, Bergen was busy jotting down notes to keep track of what he wanted to do next.
"My father looked for the best in everyone," Said Bergen's son Randy. "He was the ultimate optimist, always seeing some way things could be made better and never hesitating to make it so."
Bergen is survived by Sena and her husband, August, of Hillsdale, N.Y.; his son, of Valley Stream; three sisters, Theresa Mangan, Margaret Wallace and Jacqueline Davey and her husband, Edward; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Bergen's wife died in 1994.
A memorial service is planned at Lieber Funeral Home, 266 N. Central Ave., on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A memorial Mass is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament, 201 N. Central Ave. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Bergen's name to either Franklin Hospital, 900 Franklin Ave., Valley Stream, N.Y. 11580, or the Central High School Alumni Association, P.O. Box 642, Valley Stream, 11582.
Comments about this story? NFalco@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 208.
