By Liz Page
SOUTH KORTRIGHT – At a time when volunteerism and community service is declining, the fact that one local man has been serving the community and greater Stamford area through various charities and organizations for more than 50 years, is amazing.
George Bergleitner, of Stamford, was honored Sunday by the Knights of Columbus, including a large audience of people who have worked with him and beside him during his many community endeavors.
The Knights, including the state Warden Daniel T. Keenan and Gary Leonardo, special assistant to the state deputy and local council members, were there to see Bergleitner receive a certificate of recognition.
Bergleitner has been a member of the Knights since 1957. They recognized him for his leadership, dedication and perseverance, which is instrumental in the ongoing success of the Knights of Columbus and the other organizations. "He has taught us the lessons of charity, fraternity and patriotism," said Keenan.
"George started our council many years ago and we became friends when I transferred my membership from Long Island," said Frank Ciulla, recently installed as grand knight for the local Sacred Heart council. Bergleitner was named a Grand Knight in 2009 and has been a Knight of Malta for more than 30 years. Ciulla commended Bergleitner for his continued service and dedication to the local council. He also thanked Bob Abarno who put the day's celebration together at the Hidden Inn in South Kortright.
George Bergleitner has been pushing tickets and asking for donations to benefit the greater Stamford community for longer than some of those who were honoring him have been around.
Stamford Rotary Club President Heidi Pickett is one of those and said she learned early on as a member of Rotary that George was the guy to go to when you needed to sell tickets or an arm needed a little twisting to buy a ticket. "He has a passion for it and we are so thankful for it.
"What an honor George. George, it is such a pleasure to have to present and acknowledge what you have done for the greater Stamford community and Stamford Rotary. You have been doing that for way longer than I have been around - five decades."
She cited his perfect attendance for Rotary meetings over those years, never missing a week. "It's unprecedented and unheard of," she said. Making up meetings at other Rotary clubs to maintain that perfect record, was a boon for the local club, which has a large display of flags from many other clubs.
"George, 50 years is a lot of bad chicken dinners," she said, then said it is an inside joke. Bergleitner has held many leadership positions and offices over his tenure with Rotary and has been a valuable member on many of their committees.
He is a Paul Harris Fellow and a benefactor. He is an inspiration to many members and has recruited many members. "We are thankful he has brought us many, many members. And he is strong on following the traditions. He has always celebrated Rotary's traditions." Pickett also acknowledged Betty Bergleitner, saying Betty has been a part of this process as well.
She then presented Bergleitner with the Rotary Service Award for "a lifetime engaged in public service to the community and to Delaware County and the his distinguished service and commitment to Stamford Rotary for more than 55 years.
Senator Peter Oberacker said Bergleitner's family is also an important part of his makeup and introduced those family members who were present, including his wife, Betty; their three sons George III, also known as "Buddy", Michael and Stephen, along with his daughter-in-law Mary Ann and grandchildren Ryan, Charles, Alexis and Jacob.
Senator Oberacker said he kept hearing about George when he first announced his candidacy. "If you are running for office, you need to have George on your side." Oberacker described first hearing Bergleitner's "gravely" and thinking he might be talking to the "Godfather". But then he laughed and said he is now a good friend. "George is a good person to know and he is very good at introducing the candidates." He commended him for being "a remarkable individual" whose contributions to the community are immeasurable. Oberacker read the special Senate proclamation which he presented to Bergleitner.
Assemblyman Chris Tague presented an Assembly proclamation. "When I first ran for the Assembly seven years ago, Maria Almanza, who was then chairman of Delaware County Republican Committee kept asking me if I had been to Stamford yet to see George. 'You better get there and you better talk to George', she said."
"He is a great man and has done great things for the community. He has a lifetime of service. He also has a great family and a lovely wife. Thank you and God bless you," said Tague.
Bergleitner is most noted for his charity, the Christmas Feeling Fund, which provides food, warm clothing and gifts to those less fortunate during the holidays. The fund is more than 50 years old and has grown into huge ecumenical endeavor that involves many individuals and organizations. It started with the suggestion from a friend that he give gifts to those who need it. The first feeling packages were delivered by himself and his father. This year's goal is $35,000 and most recently he has been appealing to people to get their donations in early. It helps more than 200 people each year and he reminds everyone that every penny goes to the fund, there are not administrative fees.
Bergleitner was named the Colonel Harper Grange Citizen of the Year in 1999, partly due to his work with the Christmas Feeling Fund. He is a recipient of the Stamford Foundation Award in 2009. He has served on the Delaware County IDA board. He is also longtime member of the American Legion and has served the Delaware County Republican Committee for 36 years and chairs Town of Stamford Republican Committee. He has also been active on the Delaware-Otsego Board of Realtors and has worked to lobby for laws related to real estate.
The list of accolades and the depth of his commitment to the community is long.
But, perhaps the best acknowledgement came form his oldest son, Buddy. Buddy shared that his dad is committed to a lot of organizations and clubs, but his biggest commitment is to his family. "When we were growing up, he would insist we all get together for a family picture. At Christmas time it would show up on the Christmas card. As I grew older I began to understand why he got everyone together for a family picture. "Now I find myself doing the same thing. I am turning into my father. I am very happy and very proud to be turning into my father."
Although the real estate business he and Betty owned was sold, Bergleitner remains active as a real estate broker.
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