Craig Bergamo has a full-time job: Westport Police Department officer.
He’s also married, with young kids.
But he finds time to serve our town — and thousands of boys and girls in it — as president of the Westport Police Athletic League.
PAL sponsors sports teams. They endow scholarships. And the outdoor skating rink at Longshore — that’s theirs too.
But Craig’s personal journey is equally compelling. The other day, he joined me on the Westport Library stage, to talk about his many passions — PAL, police work, family — and how he got to where he is today.
On Sylvan Road North, motorcycle officer/PAL president/all-around good guy Craig Bergamo rode by.
He was doing a check of bus routes. But he took the time to stop, chat, and wish Dylan Rosen a great start to the year, as he begins 6th grade at Coleytown Middle School.
Dylan Rosen, his mom Barrie and Officer Craig Bergamo. (Photo/Frank Rosen)
And, in what has become one of our favorite “06880” traditions, Pam Long sends this photo of the first day, waiting for the bus at Juniper Road and Caccamo Lane.
(Photo/Pam Long)
Each year the faces change. Kids get older. They move on to a new school; younger ones take their place. But always, there are lots of them.
Meanwhile, this was the scene at Grouse Path and Woodcock Lane, off Newtown Turnpike:
(Photo/Elizabeth DeVoll)
All over town, kids are eager, excited, energetic — and perhaps a bit nervous too.
It’s all natural. For decades in Westport — and across the country — those emotions have not changed.
Good luck to all. Here’s to the best school year ever!
The package had a false return address. The letter inside was signed “Sam Elliott (not really, but you’ll get the 1976 movie reference).” The only clue to the sender is slim: It was mailed from Zip code 06376 (Old Lyme, Connecticut).
The note said: “A few years back you wrote about a lifeguard reunion, and that a former lifeguard brought along a vintage red jacket.” (Click here for that story.)
He was a lifeguard “50-plus years ago,” he said. And he too “forgot” to turn in his jacket.
He worked 6 days a week, 8 hours a day, for $1.25 an hour. (Shifts ran from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and noon to 8 p.m.)
It was a great job — especially uncrowded early mornings and late evenings. The sun rising or setting, with the waves lapping quietly, were “idyllic.”
Even today, the former guard wrote, hearing certain songs — “Black is Black,” “Summer in the City,” “See You in September” — brought him back to those days.
He’d kept his guard jacket for over 5 decades. Now, he said: “I entrust it to you for appropriate disposition — to the Recreation Department, the guard shack, a lifeguard groupie, etc.”
There — folded neatly underneath the note — was his vintage jacket.
The note ended:
“I just couldn’t put it in the textile recycling bin without giving it the possibility of one last trip to Compo Beach before summer’s end.”
Thank you, whoever you are. This weekend — the last of the season for the guards — I’ll bring it down to the shack you remember so well.
PS: That “Sam Elliott 1976 movie” comment? He starred in “Lifeguard.”
This Thursday (August 31, 6:30 p.m.), the Fairfield Museum hosts a free concert. Pianist (and Fairfield native) Jamie Saft headlines the show, with Steve LaSpina and Tim Horner.
And finally … in honor of the songs that — nearly 60 years later — still remind a former lifeguard of his idyllic days at Compo Beach (story above):
(Today the kids are back in class! Celebrate with a donation to “06880” — a great source for local education news. And, of course, lots else. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
He grew up “everywhere,” he says — in and out of shelters. He and his brother were shuttled from place to place.
When Bergamo was 17, his parents died. He wanted to join the military, but for his brother to keep Section 8 housing, Bergamo had to live there as his dependent.
During tough times, police officers had always been nice to Bergamo. He looked up to them. To give back, he studied criminology in college.
Craig Bergamo
In 2006 — just 22 years old — he was hired by the Westport Police Department. His duties include overseeing the car seat program, motorcycle instructor and field training.
Bergamo won the Medal of Valor, for his actions in the Westport force’s first shooting in 30 years.
He also earned a Community Service Award for his fundraising with LivFree, a pediatric cancer support group.
Giving back is a key part of who Bergamo is. He coached in Norwalk’s Pop Warner football program for 6 years.
Early in his Westport police career, PAL athletic director Carmen Roda suggested he get involved with the local program. He became head football coach for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders, then volunteered as secretary and vice president.
Now he’s in charge of the entire Westport PAL.
Earlier this month, Bergamo succeeded Ned Batlin as president.
It’s a big job. PAL serves thousands of youngsters through football, lacrosse, basketball, wrestling, rugby, track and cheerleading programs.
PAL also runs a robust scholarship program, the ice skating rink at Longshore — and Westport’s annual Independence Day fireworks.
Plenty of (pre-COVID) action at the PAL Rink at Longshore.
“This is an amazing organization,” Bergamo says. “The motto is ‘All about the kids and community.’ It’s safe and friendly. There are not many Police Athletic Leagues still out there. But ours is going strong.”
Bergamo is already planning new fundraising efforts — like a car show, digital events, perhaps a gala “when things are normal.”
Wrestling is one of Westport PAL’s many programs.
For someone who grew up in shelters, and lost his parents as a teenager, offering hope and activities to youngsters is crucial. In addition to his PAL efforts, he coaches his daughters in softball.
“When I see 3rd graders I coached move up to high school, and then graduate. I get chills,” Bergamo says. “I’ve had great interactions with them, and their parents. That’s what PAL is all about.”
(To learn more about Westport PAL — and participate in the See’s Candy Shop fundraiser — click here.)
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Early in his Westport police career, PAL athletic director Carmen Roda suggested he get involved with the local program. He became head football coach for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders, then volunteered as secretary and vice president.
