In Memory Of

Albert John Bergsma

Apr 29, 1952 - Aug 3, 2015

Service

Monday, August 10, 2015
2:00 pm
First Christian Reformed Church, 1/2 mile south on Highway 11, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta
Monday, August 10, 2015 at 2:00 PM

Interment

Leslieville Cemetery, Leslieville, Alberta 11:00 AM-Family

Notice

In lieu of flowers and gifts donations can be made to The Heart and Stoke Foundation or West Country Family Services Association of Rocky Mountain House.

Obituary

Albert John Bergsma passed away suddenly on August 4, 2015 surrounded by his family. Albert was born in Leeuwarden Friesland, Holland and immigrated to Canada with his parents in 1953. Al married Shirley Wadman in 1970 and after living in Edmonton, Carvel, Spruce Grove in 2004, they moved to Rocky Mountain House. Al loved the outdoors, wild animals, aviation, water sports, camping and motor cycling. He and Shirley hiked many mountain trails and enjoyed cruises and trips, especially to visit the extended family in Holland. Al and Shirley celebrated Al’s 60th birthday on a trek to Nepal.
Al is survived by his wife of 44 years, Shirley; sons Colin and Jason (Roxi); precious grandchildren: Corey, Logan, Cody, Hailey and step grand-son Tyrone Ryerse, also survived by his mother Cecelia; brothers and sisters John (Debbie), Wilma (Jerry), Grace, Sid (Janet), Pete (Roxanne), Don (Carol) and Chris(Collette). He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Corry Wadman; brothers and sisters-in-law: Bert and Agnes Wadman and John and Nancy Opden Dries. Al was predeceased by his father Douwe Bergsma and his father-in law Peter Wadman.
Al was an entrepreneur and business man. He had his own trucking company at the age of 18, started Soils West, and was partner in Land Tec Landscape contractors. He went to night school and earned a management degree . In 1989 he joined Great West Life Assurance and established Main Street Financial and then Rocky Ridge Financial when he moved to Rocky in 2004.
Al was a volunteer. He was involved in Boy Scouts of Canada for 25 years working with youth and training adults, was an active member of the church Boards at Beach Corner and Bethel Union Evangelical Free Churches. He was the Planned Giving Coordinator for the Evangelical Free Church of Canada and served on the District Board. With the help of his church, he coordinated the packing of three containers of Medical supplies to Cuba. He was Board member of West Country Family Services. In 2004 he bought a coach bus and volunteered his time to take churches, groups and sports teams to many events in Canada, USA and Mexico. He became a Rotarian in 1992. Some of his accomplishments included the equipping of the Bali Blood Bank, providing wheel chairs in Indonesia and the Rocky Rotary Festival of Trees.
A Celebration of Life is being held at the First Christian Reformed Church on August 10, 2015 at 2:00 PM. A private family interment will be held at the Leslieville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers and gifts donations can be made to The Heart and Stoke Foundation or West Country Family Services Association of Rocky Mountain House.
Rocky and Sylvan Lake Funeral Homes and Crematorium, your Golden Rule Funeral Homes, entrusted with the arrangements. 403-845-2626.

Condolences

Wayne & Lois Houcher:

So sorry to hear of Al's passing.
Our thoughts & prayers are with you, Shirley & your family.

Tracy Knopp:

I am so sad to hear of Al's sudden passing. He was such a kind spirit and a life that was taken far too soon. Please accept my sincerest condolences and I am sending you lots of love and prayers to you Shirley and your family.

Chris Langley - Rotary E-Club Canada One:

Sadly I never had the chance to meet or greet Al Bergsma, but each time I reviewed our Rotary Club member list, there was this open gentle smile staring off the screen. It is never easy losing a loved one and Al is my own age, so as much as it refocuses me on loving those around me I encourage you all to remember the love Al gave and to love those around you. RIP Al Bergsma

Eli & John:

Our recent visits with Al & Shirley were so fun and we were thrilled that we got to see them a few times in the past couple months. We will always remember Al's kindness and big heart. His love for Lord will forever inspire us, we have learned so much from this generous man. He truly was one of the greatest people we have known.... we look forward to the next time we all get to be together.

Christiana Flessner, Vancouver, BC:

Al will be missed...is missed already!
It was an honour to know and work with him!
With kindest thoughts and prayers for his family,
Christiana

Harry & Judy Buddle:

Shirley & Family

If only all of us could have as full and positive life as Al's! We are sad along with you at hearing of Al's far too early passing while we were away.

Al was Rotary District 5360 Governor one year before my DG role in 5370. When I was struggling to get my feet on the ground, Al was there to help me, a number of times.

We will miss him and will pray for him and your family in this trying time.

Harry Buddle

Tony & Heather Cable, Bashaw AB.:

Our deep sympathy to you, Shirley, and the family. Heaven has welcomed a wonderful guy! Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

Bertha (Stolte) Van Essen:

So sorry to hear about your dear Al. It's been a lot of years since we hung out together but I still think of you. May the love of family and friends help you through this difficult time.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Reg & Linda Toth:

Our prayers are with you, dear Shirley and family. We remember your times volunteering with EFCCM in Hermosillo, Mexico. Thank the Lord, for the concept and carry through of the volunteer. Al was a great example of this.

May you be comforted.

Sharon Cornelius:

Al will be greatly missed as he touched many lives. His volunteerism was admirable and the areas he lived have benefited from his community spirit.

My thought and prayers are with you Shirley and family. I hope the special memeroies you created over the years will help you through this difficult time.

Gary and Laurie Lewis:

Al was a godly man whose love for family and others was sincere and exemplary. Men of his character and conduct are to be honored and emulated. He will be greatly missed. Shirley, you were his constant and faithful companion. May the Lord uphold you in this deep loss and carry you in all your times ahead.

N. Neufeld:

Thank you for your wonderful impact on our world, especially your work within Rotary. You will be missed.

Shelly Jensen:

Shirley and family, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Al. I worked with him at Great West Life and he was one of the most caring and warm people that I have ever met. Please accept my sincerest condolences on your loss.
Shelly Jensen

Hans Granholm:

Dear Shirley and family,
My sincere and deepest sympathies. A more dedicated human being to the ideals of service is difficult to find.
Al will be missed by all whose life he touched.

George & Heather Loomer:

Our deepest sympathy Shirley and family. Al was a wonderful man who will be missed by so many people. Cherish the wonderful memories you must have.

Ross Hallett:

Our consolences. Al was a contributor to The International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians.

:

Ron and I are so saddened to hear just today that Al had passed away last week. He was a wonderful man - a class act. He really helped me the year I was District Governor in 2003-04, and I missed him when you moved out of our district to Rocky. He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Shirley and family. Judy Harcourt Brown and Ron Brown

Frank Yakimchuk:

I never met Al but as a member of the E Rotary Flub, Canada 1, I was aware of his work in establishing it. Al made many people in his life better by working within each Community that he settled in over his life time. God Bless, Rest in Peace.

Meryl and Woody Murray:

Shirley, to you and your family, our heartfelt condolences. Know that I will be thinking of you tomorrow, Woody has surgery Monday morning so we will be unable to attend Al's service. He gave of himself, he made a difference in so many peoples lives. HUGS to you Shirley, and your whole family.

Alfred & Claudette Pelletier:

We just heard the news of the passing of Al Bergsma, we are surprised and very saddened.
Due to planned events, involving family, sadly, we will be unable to attend his funeral, tomorrow.
Shirley, I am so sorry, my heart goes out to you and your family.....such a heart wrenching time in your life.
May you be encouraged by his memories and love. May you be strengthened by your strong belief in the Lord, who will carry you through.
Love and prayers,
The Pelletiers

Jocelyne and Jim Ferguson:

Very sorry to hear of Al's passing.
Both Jocelyne and I knew him quite well, through our business in Stony Plain.
Our condolence's to your family; he will be missed...

Roger & Judy Smolnicky:

Our deepest Sympathies to you Shirley and the Family.

Ed & Marliene Willson:

To Shirley and Family.
Our sincere and deepest Sympathies.
A great man, a great Rotarian who has left us before his work was done.
Always remember his special project the Bahli Blood Bank and the lives it saved during the terrorist attacks.
God be with you and the Family

Joel Beatson (Landscape Alberta):

On behalf of the Landscape Alberta Nursery Trades Association members and board of directors I would like to extend our deepest condolences on the sudden passing of Al. Al's contributions to the horticulture industry in Alberta are still recognized today. Thank you for your service and dedication to so many causes. Our thoughts and hearts are with you and your family in this difficult time.

Sandy MacKay:

Shirley, Jane and I were very sorry to hear of the news of Al's passing. He was such a good person and he will be extremely missed by us all. We extend our sympathies to you and your family.

Unfortunately we are in Montana with our extended families this summer and getting to Rocky Mountain House for the memorial service will not be possible. I do hope that you will forgive me for not being there on Monday. I hope that you will continue to attend our annual PDG meetings in January or February. Being part of the family of Rotary is a small benefit but it will allow the rest of us to indicate to you that Al was a very good man and greatly appreciated by our organization.

All the best to you
Sandy and Jane MacKay

Cpl. Des Bulger, (Rtd), Spruce Grove, AB:

I met this gentleman when he was a volunteer with our RCMP Stony Plain Victim Services and our relationship continued when we became founding members of the Spruce Grove Rotary Club. Enough can't be said about him. He was caring, passionate in his beliefs, so considerate of others, and always willing to lend a hand. I am very saddened by his passing. My prayers and thoughts are with Shirley and family.

Tony and Virginia Lovell:

Our prayers are with you. May your spirit carry you through this time of sorrow.

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