We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of a remarkable man, a die-hard Buffalo Bills fan, Trekkie 🖖, science fiction fan, passionate lover of music, film, culture, and a deep critical thinker who has left an indelible mark on all he crossed paths with.
He departed from this world after a brave fight with cancer, leaving a void that can never be filled on October 31, 2023.
Born in Williamsville, NY, he was the son of the late Everett and Gale (Howard) Bergeman; beloved husband of Carol McEwen-Bergeman; cherished father of Gale McEwen Bergeman of San Rafael, CA; loving brother of Doug Bergeman and Jane Holland both of Williamsville, NY; and a devoted uncle, cousin and friend. Charles was also affectionally known to his family and friends as Chuck or Chip.
He graduated from Williamsville South High School, class of 1977, and was the president of the art club and known for doing amazing artwork for the senior yearbook.
Charles was a graduate of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh with an Associate’s Degree in Visual Communication. He was a member of The Wizards organization as well as their DJ. He was the driving force in coordinating their reunions while staying lifelong friends with his fellow Wizards, college roommates, and classmates.
After graduation, Charles moved to San Francisco, CA. He worked for Bechtel Corporation headquarters for 23 years. He continued his career in several tech companies as a software developer, Product Solutions Manager, and retired as a Software Product Manager at Certica Solutions San Francisco.
He lived in the Bay Area from 1980 until 2021 when he and his wife decided to retire and start a new chapter in Lewiston, NY. He was very proud of the home they purchased there and enjoyed having more time for tinkering around in his basement on cool creative projects and enjoying reconnecting with old friends and family nearby.
He was a man of many interests and talents. He was a very compassionate individual, he valued kindness above all else, always rooting for others’ success. His curiosity about people and their interests was not confined to what he was passionate about; he showed interest in understanding what others were keen on because he cared for them.
He was extremely patient, and selfless. He was an amazing listener, he was someone you could rely on, a trusted confidant, and someone whose opinion you could trust. He was well-read and informed on many subjects, a firm believer in logic, science, and most importantly, empathy for others.
Possessing an enviable intellect, he was also incredibly talented in the arts. His creativity knew no bounds, but he always remained humble.
While Charles was known for his deep philosophical conversations, he also had a lively sense of humor that often filled the room with laughter. He never took himself too seriously and loved to make others laugh.
His deep love for his family and friends was evident in his actions – he would go to any length to ensure their happiness.
His knack for gift-giving was noteworthy. He often crafted beautiful art projects or picked out things that revealed his attention to the minutest details about people. His listening skills were not just limited to words; he listened with his heart.
His creativity shone in the most unexpected ways. Whether it was crafting unique and elaborate Halloween costumes like the Thing from the Fantastic Four, or a custom Silver Surfer model for a good friend.
He was there lending a hand with school projects, face painting at his daughter’s birthday parties, or setting up decorations and a playlist of music videos on a projector for a party. There was no end to his creativity and willingness to make others happy.
Charles had a wide-ranging taste in music. He was interested in and educated on all genres and time periods of music and had a very impressive vinyl and CD collection. He loved creating mixed CDs and playlists to share his passion with others. He and his daughter bonded deeply over their shared love of music, film, comedy, art, and culture. She will be forever grateful for the impact he had on her, sharing all of his knowledge of these subjects with her.
He loved all kinds of games, from dominoes and card games to board games, computer games, and video games, including those played outside that he would bring to gatherings to entertain and bring people together.
We can’t forget that Charles was an OG gamer nerd in the early ’80s… and more recently was passionate about working on a little tech museum in his basement with all the vintage technology he had collected over the years. Another recent project he was passionate about was restoring old computers and gaming consoles. For example, he was enjoying working on restoring his four Commodore Amiga computers. He was planning to create a networked system to perform live multimedia presentations. This is just one of the many examples of how imaginative he was and how he was able to combine his creativity with his tech nerdiness!
He had a love for history and art history, and that was reflected in his fondness for antiques, vintage cars, furniture, and decor and even in the way he dressed himself at times.
You might remember him for his unique mustache inspired by one of his favorite artists, Salvador Dali, or for wearing cool vintage-inspired hats, creeper-style shoes, dressing in rockabilly-inspired fashion, or wearing his favorite M.C. Escher shirt. His sense of humor and wit was also represented in his t-shirt collection with funny sayings that might also make you have to think to get the joke.
He was a fan of makers and making things, whether it stemmed from the technological, engineering side of his brain, or the artistic, creative side. His love for creating was only matched by his love for learning and sharing his knowledge.
He was not just a husband, father, friend, brother, uncle, or mentor; he was someone who always put his all into everything he did, who loved unconditionally, and who left a lasting impact on everyone he met. His life was a testament to his belief in kindness, empathy, and the joy of learning and creating.
In his memory, let us celebrate the life he led, remember the love he shared, and continue to learn from the wisdom he imparted. His spirit lives on in the hearts of those he touched with his kindness, creativity, and unwavering dedication to understanding and caring for others. He will be profoundly missed.
A big influence in Charles’ life, was his grandfather and namesake, the late Charles W. Howard who was an actor and teacher most famous for portraying Santa Claus in department stores and parades, most notably in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade during 1948-1965. In 1937, he originated the world famous, Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School, a first of its kind. Today the three-day school continues in Michigan. He also served as a technical advisor for the famous Christmas movie, Miracle on 34th Street, and was noted as the most visible Santa Claus in the United States during his time. From 1953 to 1966, he founded and directed the Christmas Park in Albion, NY, and was quoted for saying, “Every inch of the park must speak of a warm sincere welcome.” In remembrance and tribute to his grandfather, a life-size bronze statue was unveiled on June 10, 2023 at Waterman Park in Albion. (Click link to view statue)
Donations can be made to the Charles E. Bergeman Memorial Fund C/O The Albion Betterment Committee, Joe Gehl 14487 Baker Road Kent, NY 14477, to support and enhance the site of his grandfather’s statue at Waterman Park. The dream is to have a permanent museum in Albion to house the family collections of Charles W. Howard for all to enjoy. His family history of his grandfather’s story and legacy in the town of Albion meant a lot to him and we think this would be something Charles would appreciate people supporting.
If you would like to send condolences or support to Charles family, please reach out to Carol’s e-mail
Cmcewenbergeman@gmail.com to receive their home addresses. A service has not been planned at this time.
