James Bergmann

Love is patient, Love is kind. Love never fails -- Corinthians
James C. (Jim) Bergmann, 71, beloved husband and father, went home to be with his Lord on January 20, 2016. Jim had a long and difficult struggle with chronic lung disease but is now at peace. He fought the good fight.
Jim was born on August 16, 1944 in Cheboygan, Michigan. He was one of 7 children of the late Frederick and Agnes Rose (Tegerdine) Bergmann. The family relocated to Charlevoix, Michigan where Jim grew up and graduated from Charlevoix High School. Best times for Jim included hours hunting and fishing with his 5 brothers, his Uncle Al Bergmann, his nephews and his grandson James, "J.D." Jim had great stories to tell of times spent at their "huntin' shack."
Jim enlisted in the U.S. Navy in July 1962 and saw active duty on 3 submarines, the USS Diablo, the USS Clamagore, both diesel-electric submarines and the USS Von Steuben, a nuclear powered, Polaris missile-firing submarine. While in the Navy, Jim met and married his first wife Diana Marie Hartman. They had two children James (Monty) and Christina (Tina). Jim was honorably discharged from the Navy in August 1967. He and his family moved to Ohio in 1971 and resided in Richfield for nearly 40 years.
Jim's main employment over the years was with the Gardiner-Trane Company, installing industrial heating and air conditioning in just about every major company, hospital, school, church, etc., in the NE Ohio area and beyond. Jim was generous with his time and always willing to help friends and neighbors with their furnace or air conditioner problems even after a full day's work. Jim loved working on projects in his basement with his son and friends and always encouraged the boys to think things out for themselves and analyze rather than being told how or why. He often spoke of the basement projects with "my boy." "Olympics of the Mind" were favorites.
Jim was also an extraordinarily talented woodworker who took great pride in the hammered dulcimers he built for daughter Tina and others throughout Ohio and beyond and totaling more than 75 instruments. His dulcimers, constructed of the finest quality woods, are beautiful to the eye and ear. One of Jim's greatest delights was sitting in an audience watching and listening to Tina perform on one of his dulcimers. He was a very proud Dad!
Jim's first wife died in 2006 after being in poor health for a number of years. In 2008 at his retirement party he reconnected with a former music student of his daughter's from nearly 20 years prior -- the former Eileen Narraway. Jim and Eileen were married in January 2009 and they settled at one of the Portage Lakes. Their plans had been to spend their days boating and fishing from their pontoon boat, appropriately named, "Second Time Around," but as the saying goes, "Life happens when you're making other plans," i.e., Jim's struggles with his lung condition.
Jim was an honorable, loving and very kind man who enjoyed teasing but never in a hurtful way. People were automatically drawn to him and knew him to be a good man. Jim was a proud member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Cuyahoga Falls and with Eileen, was a Eucharistic Minister and a member of the funeral luncheon team for a short time until his health issues necessitated giving up those activities.
Jim was predeceased by his brother Charles (Sheryl). Jim is survived by his wife Eileen, children Monty (Robin) and Tina (Bryan), and step-children Jeff (Danielle) and Jennie Narraway. Jim is also survived by his sister-in-law Sheryl Bergmann of Charlevoix, sister Lois (Paul) Michelin of Newberry, Michigan, brothers Bruce (Sue) of Moran, Michigan, Douglas (Louise) of Charlevoix, Michigan, Jack (Sherrel) of E. Jordan, Michigan and Kenneth (Sue) of Alanson, Michigan. Grandchildren include Danielle, Valerie, James, Hanna, Isa, Theo, and Maggie. Great-grandchildren include Lincoln, Asher and Gracie. Jim is also survived by countless others who all considered it an honor to be among his many friends. He also leaves his dog Riley who is missing Jim's lap.
Cremation has taken place. Calling hours will be from 4:00-7:00 on March 31 at the Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. the following morning, April 1, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 1905 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fr. Thomas McCann Youth Ministry Fund at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Services entrusted to Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home and Crematory, 330-928-2147.