William Bergin 1948-1949

WILLIAM BERGIN: Son of James & Ellen Bergin, nee Kenny.  Born in Poughkeepsie, New York on 27th July 1916.  Educated at St Charles' College, Catonsville, Baltimore, Maryland & Ushaw 1936-42.  Ordained by Bishop Moriarty at Kilkenny Cathedral on 24th June 1942.

Curate: Holy Cross, Birkenhead 1942-43; St Joseph's, Birkenhead 1943-44; Assistant at the Apostleship of the Sea, Birkenhead 1944-46; St Peter's, Stalybridge 1946-48; St Alban's, Liscard 1948-49.  He 1949 he joined the diocese of San Diego, California.  Curate Our Lady of the Angels, San Diego 1949-50; chaplain at the Mercy Hospital, San Diego 1950-52; Pastor St Charles Borromeo, San Diego 1952-54; Rector St Joseph's Cathedral, San Diego 1954-55; Rector of the Immaculate Heart Seminary, El Cajon, which moved to San Diego in 1957, 1955-64.  Pastor Holy Spirit, San Diego 1964-88. 

He retired to Nazareth House, San Diego where he died on 9th December 1998.  He is buried at Holy Cross cemetery, San Diego.  He secretly helped people to pay mortgages, to get medical help and found housing for Vietnamese on church property.  Prelate of Honour.

Southern Cross newspaper, San Diego Dec 1998; Information supplied by Rev H.A. Knight.