Emile I. Bergeron

Emile Isidore Bergeron (80) of Fayetteville, PA passed peacefully on Monday, June 10, 2024, at Mercy House in Chambersburg, PA.

Emile was born in Rochester, NH to Dr. Isidore E. Bergeron and Lucille Dupont Bergeron.  In his youth he was a talented basketball player, and spent his summers skiing the waters of Milton’s Three Ponds.  While attending Bentley College, Emile met the love of his life, Linda Walker. He later graduated in 1968.

As a young man, Emile was a Tour de Force and there was nothing he could not accomplish once he set his mind to it.  From chopping down trees for firewood for his family during the long New Hampshire winters, to single handedly building his daughter, Jennifer, a horse barn from nothing but left-over pallets; driving over hill and dale to deliver his son, John, to well-over 1000 hockey games; and securing his bus-driving license to haul his daughter, Kristen, and all the Suburbanettes from parade to parade.  He was a talented Pool Operator, yearly transforming a frog filled post-winter pool into crystal clear waters for his children to swim and play in for the duration of the summer.  He was a beloved father, true family man and a good friend to many.  

For a brief time in the 70s Emile was also known by his CB handle, “The Orange Bean-Counter” which celebrated his favorite color and chosen profession.

After they had raised their family, Emile and Linda quit their day-jobs and, together, started the next chapter of their lives in Gettysburg, PA as the sole proprietors of the Gettysburg KOA Campground.  In their off-time, they would travel the U.S. in their motorhome, often enjoying the winter in the warmth of Florida, where Emile could pursue his greatest passion, Golf, and Linda could travel from quilt shop to quilt shop.  The lifelong companions shared the adventure of co-piloting their motorhome all the way to Alaska and back.  This year would have been their 59^th wedding anniversary.

In his later days of retirement in Fayetteville, PA, Emile endeavored to improve his golf game, while also enjoying a regular high low-stakes poker game with friends.  Even through his illness, Emile powered-on with his positive can-do attitude.  And as always, Linda was by his side.

Emile’s greatest sorrow was that his youngest daughter, Kristen Bergeron Kerchner, pre-deceased him.  While his greatest joy was his three grandchildren, Simone, Colton, and Caitlyn, whom he advertised to the world with his license plate, “3XPepere”.  He always enjoyed supporting them in all of their activities and would travel anywhere to cheer them on.

Emile is survived by his wife, Linda Walker Bergeron; his sister Denise Bergeron Vanderwarf; his son, John Emile Bergeron (Lorelle) of Fairfield PA; his daughter Jennifer Lynn Bergeron of Nashua NH; his Grandchildren, Simone Bergeron of Philadelphia PA, Colton Kerchner, and Caitlyn Kerchner both of Chincoteague VA; his brother-in-law Edward Walker, JR (Anita); and several nieces & nephews. 

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg, PA. Pastor Dan Tapper will officiate. Arrangements are entrusted to the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, Chambersburg, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mercy House of Chambersburg at mercyhouseofchambersburg.org/make-a-gift/, the Drew Michael Taylor Foundation at drewmichaeltaylor.org, or to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at afsp.org. Condolences and memories may be shared at geiselfuneralhome.com.