Martin Bergman, who appreciated beauty like few other men, died suddenly Wednesday, April 19, after a brief illness at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal. He is survived by his wife, Madame Justice Dionysia (Denny) Zerbisias, his daughters Mandy Bergman and Cindy Stein, his son-in-law Kenny Stein, and his two beautiful granddaughters, Betsy Kate and Sarah Melissa Stein. Funeral and shivah (which will be private) arrangements to be announced.
Words fail.
Blogging will be light to non-existent over the next 10 days.
I hope to see you under happier circumstances.
Sorry to hear about your loss.
Mark Bourrie
Posted by: Mark Bourrie | April 19, 2006 at 04:12 PM
You have my most sincere condolences for your loss Antonia, and my prayers for you and your family in this time of sorrow. Take care and be well.
Posted by: Scotian | April 19, 2006 at 04:38 PM
Antonia,
Please accept my condolences for your loss in the passing of Martin Bergman.
Posted by: 20/20 | April 19, 2006 at 05:13 PM
Sincere condolences to you and those who loved Martin Bergman. May his memory be for a blessing.
Posted by: Mark Federman | April 19, 2006 at 05:29 PM
I am sorry to hear your news, Antonia. Take care.
Greg
Sinister Thoughts
Posted by: Greg | April 19, 2006 at 06:46 PM
A,
I don't know how to say "condolences" in Yiddish so I'll say Shalom.
Peace be with you, amj
Posted by: annemarie j | April 19, 2006 at 06:54 PM
My heart goes out to you.
Posted by: Dana | April 19, 2006 at 07:27 PM
When you catch your breath, think of this.
Many of us that play here did not know Martin Bergman. You did!
Doesn't have to be an elegy, but a few more words about the man you knew would help us to understand......
After all, this is YOUR playground - as well as serious place for debate, now perhaps a place to praise as well as bury!
Posted by: Jiminy C | April 19, 2006 at 07:48 PM
My deepest sympathies to you and the rest of Martin's family. May he rest in peace.
Posted by: Randall Isaacs | April 19, 2006 at 09:01 PM
My condolences, Antonia, on your loss.
Posted by: Don Sellar | April 19, 2006 at 09:06 PM
My condolences, friend.
Posted by: Glowbull | April 19, 2006 at 10:15 PM
Antonia, I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm sure he's now resting in peace.
Posted by: ig | April 19, 2006 at 10:39 PM
My condolences to you and the rest of the family.
Posted by: Huge Seagull | April 20, 2006 at 12:03 AM
I sit here staring at my screen with tears still streaming down my cheeks thinking I could write what Antonia couldn't. But the words truly fail. It was not supposed to be this way....this was not supposed to happen.
My brother-in-law Martin was a man of great vision, could see beauty in everything and really appreciate it. When he described a trip that he took you were there with him. An outfit that he designed you could touch it. A person that he met you also met them.
He loved life and living every moment of it. He always was honest with you and even if it rubbed you the wrong way it made you do the right thing.
As I sit here in the dark I can only imagine my sister Denny's pain in losing the love of her life and can only think it was not supposed to be this way.
A good friend of mine once told me "To lose someone you care about it hurts...Cry as hard as you want...Cry as long as you want...Remember tears are only liquid prayers.
Posted by: George Zerbisias | April 20, 2006 at 01:07 AM
Antonia:
I'm sorry. I don't know how much those words mean coming from someone who's still more or less a stranger to you, but I'm sorry for the loss.
Posted by: Dwight Williams | April 20, 2006 at 08:59 AM
Dear Antonia,
What saddness griped me this morning as I read this. I, attending a meeting last night, was unaware of this horrificly emotional event.
My deepest condolences to you and your family.
I would urge you to cry your guts out, and then, with the freshness a Spring storm brings, look to heavens this night and behold the miracle of light.
It is the greatest tribute a person can have, or ever hope to achieve to be spoken of with such love and admiration. Their life had purpose, and that purpose lifted others up, because they were never satisfied that there be more than one level upon which all stand.
So many believe their cold stone and steel monuments, their name on donation plagues, their material wealth will be their lasting legacy. Those who clearly see know that to leave behind improved people, those who received even a moment of compassionate understanding, is not merely the greatest act of a life, but truly Holy in its very nature.
Shema & Shalom!
Posted by: Bill-Muskoka | April 20, 2006 at 09:02 AM
Thinking of you as you make that long and sad drive to Montreal with Miss Sydney.
I know your warm presence will bring comfort to Denny and her family as they grieve this sudden and inexplicable loss.
Martin Bergman, may you rest in peace. Shalom.
Posted by: Diana-Marie | April 20, 2006 at 10:12 AM
My condolences, Zerb, on your loss. Keep ya head up.
Posted by: JDot | April 20, 2006 at 04:23 PM
My deepest condolences to your family.
Scott
Posted by: Scott Tribe | April 20, 2006 at 09:59 PM
Antonia I hope you will accept my deepest condolances. Words can not heal such wounds, but I hope that time will heal them, and as soon as possible you will be able to overcome your grief and be able to access the memories of your brother without it.
Posted by: Murray Sherman | April 20, 2006 at 11:16 PM
I'm very sorry to learn of your loss. My condolences.
Posted by: Jason Townsend | April 20, 2006 at 11:28 PM
I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. My condolences to you and your family.
Posted by: JM | April 21, 2006 at 07:37 AM
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss.
Posted by: Ti-Guy | April 21, 2006 at 08:46 AM
My condolences to you and your family.
Posted by: PhantomObserver | April 21, 2006 at 09:17 AM
"...Remember tears are only liquid prayers."" Posted by: George Zerbisias
Thank you for providing us with this touching portrait of the man we never had the good fortune to meet, George.
My thoughts and sympathies are with you and your family, Antonia.
Posted by: arthurdecco | April 22, 2006 at 11:23 AM