Albert (Al) Bergsma, Aug 4, 2015

 

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, served as District Governor for District 5360 in 2010-11, Some of his accomplishments included the equipping of the Bali Blood Bank, providing wheel chairs in Indonesia and the Rocky Rotary Festival of Trees.