Duane Jay “Bergie” Bergstresser

PULTENEY-Duane Jay “Bergie” Bergstresser was born in Bath, N.Y. on Feb. 14, 1934, a day so cold that the goldfish bowl froze over. He died Jan. 11, 2021 at the age of 86 while convalescing at the Penn Yan Manor Nursing Home.

Duane was the only child of Henry and Florence (Faucett) Bergstresser. He was a lifelong resident of the family farm in Pulteney, N.Y. Duane attended the Pulteney Union School and Franklin Academy in Prattsburgh. He was instrumental in bringing the FFA to Franklin Academy. He retired from Mercury Aircraft, Inc. in Hammondsport, N.Y. in 2000.

Duane was a proud lifetime member of the NRA and was known for his humor and his ability to fix anything.

On Dec. 28, 1957 he married Kathleen Bedient and in their retirement years they wintered in Dade City, Fla.

Duane is survived by his beloved wife, Kathleen; one son, William (Cathleen) Bergstresser; one daughter, Pamela Bergstresser; four grandchildren, Nicole Campbell, Ashley (Matthew) Bailey, Brianna (Mitchell Allen) Bergstresser and Haley Finch; five great-grandchildren, Blake and Mackenzi Campbell, Lacie, Talon and Meah Bailey; as well as his beloved cat, Spook. He was predeceased by his parents, Henry and Florence; infant daughter, Barbara Ann Bergstresser; and his dogs, Amber and Montana.

There will be no services per Duane’s request. Interment will occur at the Glenview Cemetery in Pulteney.

The LaMarche Funeral Home, 35 Main St., Hammondsport is honored to assist Duane’s family with the arrangements.

Online condolences or remembrances of Duane are welcomed on the Facebook page of Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc.