A compassionate, giving, and kind hearted man passed at his home in Sandy Hook on April 13. Harold Runo “Bergie” Berglund was born in Hartford on September 19, 1924, to the late Effie (Orcutt) and Harry Berglund. He graduated salutatorian of Newtown High School class of 1942. He then proudly served in the United States Army for three years, stationed in England and France during World War II. After graduating from the University of Bridgeport with a degree in mechanical engineering, he completed graduate studies at Western Connecticut State University and the University of North Carolina.

Harold was employed for 38 years as a senior mechanical engineer at Barden Corporation before retiring in 1991. He was most proud of the fact that he designed the ball bearings used in the lunar rover on the moon.

Bergie gave his talents and time to many organizations in Newtown, serving as a volunteer fireman, coaching Little League baseball, and both coaching and playing on town basketball teams. He was a talented bowler as well as golfer. He remained always loyal to his Yankees, football Giants, and UConn Huskies! His favorite retreat was his second home in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

Harold was a patriarch completely immersed and engaged in his children and grandchildren’s lives, as they were in his. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 64 years, Eunice Rasmussen Berglund.

He is survived and will be daily missed by a son, Ricky Berglund, and his wife, Gail, of Goshen; daughter Bonnie McLean and her husband, George, of Gaylordsville; and daughter Jo-Ann Wigglesworth, and her husband, Mark, of Goshen. He is also survived by his sister Janet Taylor, of Virginia. Harold was predeceased by his sisters Edith Tenney, Helen Dayton, and Ruth Burr; and his brother, Kenneth Berglund. He will be forever loved by his grandchildren: William Berglund, Sarah Berglund, Scott McLean, Tyler McLean, Breann Beardslee, Morgan Wigglesworth, and Dayla Wigglesworth; as well as his great-grandchildren, Cole Berglund and Ila Berglund Rooks; and his numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside memorial service will be held at Zoar Cemetery, 53 Berkshire Road, Sandy Hook, on May 1 at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Harold may be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation at garysinisefoundation.org.

Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown is in charge of arrangements.