June 22, 2026
REST IN PEACE
Rev. Franklyn Joseph Bergen (1935-2026). Frank was born December 18, 1935 to parents Doris (Provost) and Franklyn Joseph Bergen of Waterbury, Conn. The oldest of four children, Frank was several years older than his two brothers and sister. He attended schools in Waterbury and, after determining that he was called to join the Jesuits, he completed that part of his education at Fairfield University in Connecticut. He was ordained as a Priest in the Catholic Church on July 11, 1966.
His work for the church took him to Iraq, where he taught for two years, and to Germany, where he served as Chaplain in an Army hospital. Back in the U.S., he applied for Chaplain positions at several Colleges, finally deciding on Gonzaga in Washington state.
Shortly after his arrival there, he met his first wife, Sally, and his life as a Catholic Priest was over. It was a soul-seeking time. The couple moved to CA looking for work and Frank eventually found a position with the State of CA Transportation Dept. (Cal-Trans) as an environmental planner. Later, while living in Sacramento, Frank and his wife decided to end their marriage.
In 1987 Frank met his second wife, Pat, on a blind date set up by friends. They were married in Tucson, AZ in 1989. During this time, Frank, never having given up on his love for his faith nor his desire to serve, was actively seeking a position in the Episcopal Church. In 1998, in CA, he was ordained as an Episcopal Priest. On retiring from Cal-Trans, Frank and Pat moved to Tucson to be with family and Frank took on a number of non-stipend assistant positions, eventually acting as Interim Priest for several parishes in Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii.
Always an avid participant in politics since his youth, Frank spent many years going door to door for the Democratic Party. In this capacity he was a founder of the Tanque Verde Democratic Club in Tucson which carries on today. Soon after moving to Tucson, Frank joined TIHAN, the Tucson organization helping AIDS patients at the end of life and those living with the disease. He and Pat volunteered there for several years.
In 2009, Frank and Pat joined St. Matthews Episcopal Church on Old Spanish Trail. There Frank assisted, and conducted Christmas morning services for years. His joy always was to preach and share his message of justice and mercy paired with the events of the time.
At the age of 90 Frank gave up driving to the U of A baseball and basketball games and warned the congregation of St. Matthews that he would not be present as regularly on Sundays. He had been living for quite a while with heart failure, and finally the time had come to say goodbye. Frank died June 22, 2026 in the care of Peppi's House Hospice, Tucson. He leaves behind his wife, Pat; his sister, Betsy (Harry); nieces, Amy and Kristen (Eric); and nephews, Scott (Annie) and Michael, as well as a step-family complete with four great grandsons. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church on Old Spanish Trail, Saturday, July 18 at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow. It is suggested that those wishing to remember Frank donate in his name to Imago Dei Middle School of Tucson, and to the Environmental Defense Fund.
Frank was a long time member CORPPUS.
