Obituary of Msgr. Robert D. Bergin

Obituaries Monsignor Robert D. Bergin, 71, was called to his heavenly home by our Lord Thursday night July 10, 2008 at St. Mary Home in West Hartford. Born in Waterbury, December 16, 1936, the son of the late Daniel F. and Mary (Butwill) Bergin, he graduated from Naugatuck High School and attended St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield and received degrees from St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, MD in Philosophy and Theology. He was ordained May 31, 1962 in St. Joseph Cathedral, Hartford, by the Most Rev. Henry J. O'Brien, Archbishop of Hartford. During his career, the Monsignor was appointed assistant pastor at Sacred Heart Church in Southbury, June 16, 1962. On Sept. 22, 1962 he was appointed Chaplain at Mercyknoll, West Hartford, and appointed Spiritual Director and Chaplain for the Deaf. On Aug. 22, 2000, he was appointed Prelate of Honor by the Holy Father. On May 7, 2003, he became Rector of the Cathedral of St. Joseph in West Hartford until January 15, 2005, when the Monsignor was appointed Pastor of St. Peter Church, New Britain in addition to his duties as Chaplain, at the Catholic Deaf Apostolate. Monsignor Bergin is survived by his sister Carol and brother in law James Caruso of Waterbury; his nephews James Caruso and wife Wendy of Plainville, Gregory Caruso and wife Valerie of Londonderry, NH, Dr. John Caruso and wife Kim of Hagerstown, MD and his niece Sharon Bette and husband Isaac of Southbury. He is also survived by twelve grandnephews and grandnieces, and an aunt Julia Butwill of Torrington and several cousins including Sister Catherine Dowling of Newington and those dear to him from the Catholic Deaf and St. Peter Parish. Visitation will be Sunday from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. at St. Peter Church 98 Franklin Sq. New Britain with a Parish Mass at 7:00 P.M. at the Church. The funeral liturgy will be held Monday at 11:00 A.M. at St. Peter Church with the most Reverend Henry J. Mansell, Archbishop of Hartford as principal celebrant. Burial will be in Mt. St. Benedict, Cemetery, Bloomfield. In lieu of flowers and to honor Msgr. Bergin's work, memorial donations for a scholarship fund for a graduating student from the American School for the Deaf may be sent to The Msgr. Robert D. Bergin Scholarship Fund c/o Webster Bank 544 Straits Turnpike Watertown, CT 06795.