An “original” and a “jack of all trades”, this is how the family and many Alkovener characterize the old farmer Josef Bergmayr, who died in the previous week shortly before his 91st birthday, who is generally called “Huemer Sepp” after the house name became. He was not only involved on his farm in the middle of town, he was active in community politics, in the farmers’ representation and for decades in the brass band, which had a gifted entertainer in him.
In 1959 he took over his parents’ farmhouse and continuously expanded it with his wife Rosina over the years. From 1972 to 1991 he was local farmer chairman, from 1975 to 1992 he was chairman of the beet farmers. For 30 years he was a member of the municipal council for the ÖVP, 15 years on the municipal board and five years as second vice mayor. Alkoven awarded him the Ring of Honor in 1992.
His lifelong passion was brass band music: for 63 years the tuba player was an active member of the music association Alkoven, which he also chaired for almost a decade. The quick-witted Bergmayr was hardly replaceable at theatrical performances of the musicians, as an emcee at music events and when it was a matter of taking aim at the local whoops and little scandals of the respective year with the folding horn quartet at the musicians’ ball. Own texts, some in the form of poems, collected or spontaneous jokes: Bergmayr always had the laughs on his side at his performances.
At a young age he loved mountaineering and skiing, later the Bergmayr couple began to travel, preferably during the winter months, which are quieter for lowland farmers. Mexico, Kenya and Cuba were among the more distant destinations.
Bergmayr’s life-affirming mentality, interested in everything, and his robust nature allowed him to remain active into old age. He drove the tractor to the end, helped out on the farm, looked after his young trees. And he didn’t let tarocking be taken away from him in good company as long as Corona didn’t put a spanner in the works. Solving crossword puzzles or Sudoku were also part of the daily mental fitness program.
“Family, agriculture and the music club were his life to the end,” says son-in-law Gerald Eder, the former Alkoven office manager. Bergmayr was married to his Rosina for 64 years, the marriage resulted in daughters Gabi and Michaela as well as son and successor Josef. Five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren came, the youngest being his great joy.
The funeral service will take place on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Alkoven Parish Church.
Source: Nachrichten
