Angostino Samuel Bergamo (1917 - 1974)

Born 14 Feb 1917 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, United States

Husband of Clara Frances (Dunn) Bergamo — married about 1944 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, United States

Died 19 Aug 1974 at age 57 in Grosse Pointe, Wayne, Michigan, United States

Biography

Son of Joseph Bergamo and Vincenza D'Asaro. His parents were born in Italy.

His parents lived in the Elmwood Park section of Detroit and raised at least 6 children, born in the U. S.

Augie was employed in construction and manufacturing jobs. He was an athletic youngster with a passion for baseball. His factory boss, recognizing this passion, encouraged him to try out for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Bergamo began his minor league career at age 21 in the Cardinals' organization. He was playing for the Columbus, Ohio Red Birds when his team won the Junior League World Series in 1943. Bergamo was not a home run hitter, but an effective slap hitter with a knack for finding the outfield gaps.

With the coming of World War II, major league team rosters were depleted. In 1943, the Cardinals purchased Bergamo's contract and added him to their 40-man roster. Bergamo was classified 4-F or medically unfit for military service.

He had a very successful season in 1944. He helped St. Louis win the pennant. The "Trolley World Series" of 1944 pitted the two St. Louis teams, the Cardinals and the Browns, against each other, playing in the same ball park. He contributed to the Cardinals' World Series win. His major league career lasted just two seasons.

With the war's end, Bergamo was out of his major league job. The Cardinals' regular players returned; Bergamo was placed on waivers, and none of the other 16 major league teams picked him up. He was unhappy that he was sent back to the minors. He played for the Red Birds and other minor league teams but was plagued by injuries.

Bergamo and his wife Fran lived in Detroit in the off seasons. He settled down with his wife, Clara Frances “Fran” (Dunn) Bergamo, in nearby Grosse Pointe, and worked as a manufacturer’s representative for the Condamatic Company. Bergamo maintained a connection to baseball by participating in annual Major League Baseball golf tournaments in Florida through the mid-1960s. He also attended the Cardinals’ 20th-anniversary celebration of the 1944 World Series championship.

On August 19, 1974, Augie Bergamo died at the age of 57 at Bon Secour Hospital in Grosse Point. The cause of death was pancreatic cancer; he also suffered from diabetes. He was survived by his wife and daughter.^[1]

Census Records

Enumerated as Augustine Bargano, he was age 3 in his parents' household in Detroit in 1920. His father Joseph Bargano was age 33, born in Italy, emigrated 1910. His mother Rienza Bargano was age 23, born in Italy, emigrated 1910. His brother Frank Bargano was an infant, born in Michigan.^[2]

His father possibly married again between 1920 and 1930. Wife Jennie Bergano of the 1930 Census is not the same age as wife Rienza Bargano of the 1920 Census; there is also a daughter Frances, age 16, as well as a son Frank, age 10. Frances is older than Frank and may be a daughter by his wife's previous marriage.

In 1930 the family is found in Detroit. Joseph Bergano was age 42, born in Italy. His wife Jennie Bergano was age 27, born in Italy. Son Augustine was age 13, born in Michigan. Daughter Frances Bergano was age 16, born in Michigan. Son Frank Bergano was age 10, b. Michigan. Son Leonard Bergano was age 8, b. Michigan. Son James Bergano was age 5, born in Michigan. Daughter Ester Bergano was an infant.^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/augie-bergamo/
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZWN-P2J : 2 February 2021), Joseph Bargano, 1920.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X7SP-XFK : accessed 17 September 2022), Joseph Bergano, Detroit (Districts 0751-0879), Wayne, Michigan, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 833, sheet 42A, line 1, family 22, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 1066; FHL microfilm 2,340,801.

• *"United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V94W-B3N : 9 January 2021), August Bergamo, Aug 1974; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).

• "Michigan Death Index, 1971-1996", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V8MM-65H : 10 August 2022), August S Bergamo, 1974.

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49528091/august-samuel-bergamo