The Daily Star Online
102 Chestnut Street, Oneonta, NY 13820
The Newspaper for the Heartland of New York

Friday, February 13, 2004

Deaths

Deaths of local interest in Chenango, Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie counties are:

• Bertel A. Ahlqvist (Bert), 77, Mount Vision.

Bertel A. Ahlqvist

MOUNT VISION - Bertel A. Ahlqvist (Bert), 77, passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 11, 2004, with members of his family by his side.

Bert was born on July 17, 1926, the son of Edvin and Agda (Widjeskog) Ahlqvist in the Bronx.

Bert moved with his family to Finland at the age of 3, but returned to the United States in April 1949. He lived in Mount Vision briefly and then moved to Staten Island, where he met and married his wife, Margaret (Sahlke) Ahlqvist on March 15, 1952. They moved to Laurens in 1975, and to Mount Vision in 1985.

Over the years, Bert was a blacksmith, farmer, and landlord, but his life's work was as a carpenter and contractor. With his son Bob, he built many homes both in Staten Island and the Laurens area, including his own.

His lifelong interest in sports began in Finland, where he actively participated in track and field and competitive cross-country skiing.

In his later years, he enjoyed gardening, bird watching, singing, woodworking and carving, and watching sports both locally and on television.

Surviving are his wife of 51 years, Margaret; his four children, Bob and his companion, Norma, of West Laurens, Dr. Linda Walsh and her husband, Jeff, of Glen Arm, Md., Karen Mann and her husband, Robert, of Laurens, and Eric Ahlqvist of Mount Vision.

Bert also had a special place in his heart for his grandchildren, Laura and Ryan Ahlqvist, Katie and Christie Walsh, Nathan, Stephanie and Ashley Mann, and Emily Ahlqvist. He also has a great-grandchild, Lawrance, and another due in April.

Also surviving is a brother, Karl and his wife, Ruth, of Oneonta; a sister, Doris and her husband, Ragnar, of Terjarv, Finland; and several nieces and nephews.

Bert was predeceased by a brother, Raymond, whose wife, Eileen resides in Florida.

Bert was an active member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Atonement.

The family would like to express a special thanks to Debbie and Judy at FoxCare Lab and to Mary and Donette at Ambulatory Surgery at A.O Fox Memorial Hospital.

Calling hours will be held Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta. Funeral service will be at Atonement Lutheran Church, Oneonta at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Burial in Mount Vision Cemetery will be performed in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Catskill Area Hospice or to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Oneonta.