The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-01-31
By the Out Easter

By the Out EaSteT
 The death of Thomas F. Bergin, the undertaken, took away resi- dent of the Old Out East of years ago, the eraly days of the Church of the Sacred Heart, when the late Rev. Hugh Treanor was the pastor and builder of the fine edifice which now occupies a piece of property once known as 'Taylor's barn."
 Tom Bergin arrived in Water bury with his good parents some time during the early eighties. His father was the well known Mar tin Bergin, for years a widely known undertaken in the city. Martin Bergin brought his family here from Southington to assume charge of the undertaking business left when his brother-in-laW, Michael Maher died. The MaherS were all East End people, living for years in the family home 999 East Main street, almost opposite Silver street. The Bergin family located on Wall street just north of the corner house, where Faith CT Treanor made his home until the new parochial residence was built in upper Taylor street.
 Active Youth
 As an active young man, Tom Bergin was the mainstay Of his father when the latter assumed the new business. The headquar- ters were on South Main street where stationary store was com- blned with the undertaking trade. Old residents will recall the pass ageway through the Bank street post office running from Bank street to South Main street. As one left the post office stairway on the South Main street exit, the Bergin store was to the right, di- rectly south. Religious articles, books, papers and all kinds of sta- tionary were sold in the store; the morgue was located in the rear. Some years later, the Bergins moved to the Holohan building at the junction of South Main and Scovill streets. Later, the change was made to their present quarters on East Main street.
 The Bergins were a widely
 own concern; other Catholic un- d '-ers of their early days were wuI. Hon and John Moriarty. Hll ut ark, furniture dealers, and Er s, furniture dealers, vsrs tn Jnly Protestant under '. m the city. Later, at the deaLi. Ar. Dillon, John H. Null vile, associated with MT. Dillon, a relative, opened up his own buSl- ness in little building which stood about where the Garden theater is now located. Jimmy Mulville was popular young man; his work was devoted ex- clusiyely to undertaking, and he had marked success from the opening day.
 Assisted Father
 In the old days, Tom Bergin all ways assisted his father. He was the older son, and when his father was not in control, it was Tom who conducted the funeral. In those days, the customary garb of the undertaken was high six hat and a long frock coat. They all wore them. Black horses were used, and black plumeS decorated the top of the hearse; even black net ting was also supplied for the horses. Sunday funerals were pop ular at that time. The floral pieces were generally carried in an open undertaker's wagon, with several small boys sitting on the floor of the wagon holding them, for the long ride from the home of the de- ceased to the church, and then through the main highways to the cemetery. Every funeral had to pass through the center, The longest way round" was apparent ly, to the mind of the undertaken, the shorter way to the burial ground; undertakers often ex- plained it was at the wish of the family.
 Tom Bergin was one of the best groomed undertakers of the day in question. Young and good looking, tall and erect, he made a com manding figure under a high silk hat. He was a stickler for detail. Nothing escaped him. He had the soft consoling voice of one who really meant when he followed the customary greeting to the afflicted family, T am very sorry for your trouble" The same sentence still holds to this day, among under takers, they tell us.
 When Martin Bergin, the father died in 1903, the boys assumed full charge, Thomas F. and Pa- trick s. They have been in full charge ever since.
 Hundreds Mourn
 The funeral home where Tom Rergin was walked" was crowded to the doors with friends and ac- uuaintances. many of whom re- called the days when he conduct ed the funeral of members of ti1eir own family. An undertaker's death often times seems strange to many people. The Out Easter has often possessed the feeling that an undertaken should never die. Really, we do not under stand ib. Religion, of which we know nothing. speaks of the im- s1ortality of tue soul; if the sesli lives on. why is it BoSsible for the body to de- sav Lack of religious training, ws presume, makes us ignorant on fhis important subject. Even with