NAPA - What do you say about a man who came from humble beginnings, bravely served his country in World War II, was a loving and devoted husband and father, and a successful businessman who conducted his business in the Napa Valley for more than 50 years with honesty, integrity and a respect for hard work?

You say that man was Jack Aitken Bergin. He died peacefully on Nov. 1, 2008, at the age of 94. Jack was born Jan. 15, 1914, in Riverside, where his family was in the grocery business. He attended Riverside Polytechnic High School and Riverside Junior College. He gave up his college career to help support his family during the Great Depression. Jack developed a love of music and starting playing the piano at age six. He began to play piano in an assortment of jazz bands at age 17, occasionally playing backup for such bands as the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra. After settling in Northern California, Jack played piano in the Napa Valley Dixieland Jazz Band for many years. True to his musical roots, he gave his last performance for fellow residents at the Berkshire Assisted Living Center two days before he passed away.

Jack was playing piano at a junior college dance in 1936, when he met Rosemarie Merrill. Marie approached Jack to ask, “Will you teach me to play jazz?” He called her the next day and they began dating. They were married in 1939, a marriage that lasted for 69 years.

Too old to enter the regular pilot training program, Jack nonetheless enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 and trained as a combat glider pilot, eventually serving in France. In 1946 he joined his flying buddies, Richard Bridgeford, Caesar Bertagna and Clyde Barnett, to start Bridgeford Flying Service at the Napa County Airport. Jack continued in his position as an owner/manager of the business until he was 75. In 1989 Bridgeford Flying Service was sold to local businessmen who asked Jack to stay on as controller, the position from which he retired at age 84.

At various times, Jack belonged to the Masons, the Elks Club, the Rotary Club, the Quiet Birdmen, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Jack loved the outdoors. He enjoyed the distinction, at the time, of becoming the youngest person in California to achieve the Boy Scouts’ prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. He was especially fond of the fishing trips he took with his partners and sons to Loreto, Mexico, landing on dirt runways and sport fishing in the Sea of Cortez. Jack is also fondly remembered for his love of lively intellectual discussions, political or otherwise, often punctuated with his wry sense of humor.

The exemplary way Jack lived his life has been an inspiration to those who worked with him in the business world, as well as to his children and grandchildren. He will be missed, but not forgotten.

Jack is survived by his wife, Rosemarie; his sister, Ruth Ullrich; and his children, Dr. Jack M. Bergin (Paula), Judith Walsh (John), Michael Bergin (Karen) and Patricia Fifield (William); and his grandchildren, Alicia, Greg and Jeanne Bergin, Savannah and Melaina Bergin, Nathan, Joel, Jonathan, Benjamin, Adam, Michael, Cyrena, Daniel and Jaime Fifield, Linda Fifield-Larsen, and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Joseph Fifield.

At Jack’s request, no service will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Queen of the Valley Foundation or Hospice of Napa Valley.