The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-09-30
Martin Bergin Sons, Inc. HOnOred Institution Here

ing plumes for the hearse, black netting for the horses, with a lighter plume stuck around both ears of each horse. No driver who sat on the box was welcome without a fairly good looking top hat; the serious looking undertaken always sported smooth, and glossy silk hat. The care of this expensive head-gear at Bergins was left to young John by his tall and stately father.
 Several Changes Made
 The senior Bergin died in and around the latter part of 1903, or the early part of 1904. From that time on, the business was conduct ed by Thomas and Patrick Bergin. In 1910, the two brothers bought the old Porter property at the junction of East Main, Cole and South Elm Streets. First, it was the small building at the southwest corner; then the property in the rear or east wing was acquired, followed by the purchase of the adjoining apartment block, and later the Chris Downey home, now the head quarters of the firm of Martin Ber- gin Sons, Inc.
 Patrick Bergin, as we have re- lated, learned the business in the old-faShioned way. And so did his brother Thomas. Both became wide ly known among the undertakers of the state and throughout New Eng land. Thomas Bergin died eight years ago.
 Brother Patrick then assumed full lcharge with his two sons, and fThomas's interest cared for by his son, Martin.
 Patrick Bergin was widely known out here in the east end; it was here that he romped the streets saw the Church of the Sacred Heart started in it's first days, and watch ed its construction to the end. He remembered the first body brought into the church by his father, that of a boy of the neighborhood. Only one clergyman off1ciated in those days and prayers for the dead at the cemetery were offered by the undertaken. Most of the funerals were held on Sunday; some times bands accompanied the procession, especially those that led to Calvary Cemetery. Traffic was always heavy after each funeral for the race homeward from the burial place; one just had to hold to the side walk and keep out of the way of the on-rushing horses of the closed in hack and the open four wheeled buggy, which generally tipped tc the right from the overweight o1 the three persons hugging places ir the front and only leather covered seat.
 We thought MT. Bergin might be honored with his funeral being helc from the church he went to at the beginning, and the prominence o1 his father in the struggling days o. the first pastor, the late Rev. Hugf Treanor. The Bergins were among the leading contributors to tht church in the early days. So wer' others of course, but they are al dead, except few families scatter ed throughout the city. We woult have attended, if the service wer' held Out East. But we couldn't gt elsewhere, on account of our phy sical condition; we are not church members, and know nothing abou church procedure. Still, we felt al of the time, the service would b' near where he first lived, and wher, the family received its first religiou instruction.
 Baseball Enthusiast
 Mr. Bergin was greatly interested in baseball. Back in the early nine ties, he formed the Brass Cities with amateur players from this sec ton, and some other parts of tn city. The late Red Donahue of Nev York and Philadelphia fam pitched. They defeated the cham lpion AcmeS in a game that brough all of Old Out East together for tn, long march to the west end grounds with music footing to keep every one in step for the time being a least.
 ] A keen and far looking person INT. Bergin was recognized as { clever business man, along with hi brother Thomas. The real import ant moves of the concern wer, made with these two brothers at tn, helm. Success followed which prov ed the good judgment of the deci Sion
 While friendly with close ac quaintances, MT. Bergin was not tn kind to grab the hand of tn, stranger after formal introduction he was hesitant, sometimes suspi ciouS. He was an able judge of tn human, from his observations at tn start. He had sharp tongue, whicl he now and then used, with showing of little smile, noted b, some of us as indicating sarcasm He stood his ground on any ques tion, and could never be bullied This however, was trait of tn Martin Bergin family. We have ye to meet the Bergin boys now in con trol to satisfy our mind that the, also possess these characteristics.
 In all of his years as an under taker, Patrick Bergin never variet in his dress at funerals; first h. wore a well kept silk hat, in lin With the custom of the day: then h changed to the more popular derby His neckwear was always the whit winged collar, with nicely presse, and suitable tie, most fitting for tn occasion. There was never a wrinkl in his trim cut-away coat or sid lined trousers, He was fittingl buried as such, that is he died jus as he wished, and went into hi