Of Plymouth, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family in his home after a courageous battle with cancer on October 30th, 2016 at the age of 73.

Born on August 4, 1943 in Chelsea; son of the late John H. Bergstrom Sr. and Sarah E. (Gallant) Bergstrom, John was raised in Waltham and lived for a brief time in Sunderland while at graduate school. After his marriage John resided in Waltham for year before moving to Brighton for 3 years, Marlborough for 15 years, Framingham for 10 years, Lenox, MA in the Berkshires for 10 years and for the past 11 years in Plymouth.

A graduate of Waltham High School with the Class of 1962, John furthered his education at MassBay Community College and the University of Massachusetts. He received continued education and Masters for CLU Insurance.

John began a 29 year career with New England Life Insurance Company in 1967 as an Agent with Dowing & Desantel Insurance in Boston. He worked as the agency’s Brokerage Manager and then worked at the home office in the agent training school for several years before being recruited back to the Downing & Desantel Agency to become a trainer; and then General Agent for 12 years.

In 1992, John transitioned to the New England home office as Vice President of Marketing for 4 years. In 1996, he joined Berkshire Life as the Chief Marketing Officer.
After retiring from Berkshire Life and moving to Plymouth, John began a consulting business and retired from work in 2011.

He took the time after his retirement to devote himself to his family, traveling and his hobbies of sailing, photography, hiking and writing about sailing the New England coast with family and friends. He wrote a book entitled “Knots that Bind” Adventures of a Weekend Sailor Exploring the New England Coast.

John is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years Mary F. (Carroll) Bergstrom, her devoted & loving daughter Julie Shaw and her husband Joseph of Shrewsbury, his son John H. Bergstrom III and his wife Catherine of NJ, his cherished grandchildren Joseph Jr., Sarah Elizabeth, Benjamin, Emma and Samuel, his dear siblings Richard Davis Bergstrom and his wife Patricia of Salem, Robert Allen Bergstrom and his wife Mary Alice of MS., Ernest J. Bergstrom of Cambridge and Kathryn Blood and her husband Charles of Needham, his sister-in-law JoAnn Dozois of Mashpee and brother-in-law John E. Carroll and his wife Donna of Grafton. In addition he is survived by many adoring nieces & nephews and close friends.

Relatives & Friends are respectfully invited to attend a Funeral Service in celebration of John’s Life in the Mary Catherine Chapel of Brasco & Sons Memorial, 773 Moody Street, WALTHAM on Saturday morning Nov. 5th at 11:00 a.m. Visiting Hours will be held in the Mary Catherine Chapel on Friday Nov. 4th from 3 – 7 p.m. Parking attendants on duty.

In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made in John’s memory to the VNA of Cape Cod Hospice 434 MA-134 G1, South Dennis, MA 02660.

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