Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home

I left school on a whim and a flight of fancy one wintry day in 1961 heading for New York City. At the age of 18 and suffering an emotional crisis, I was not sure what I was doing. After spending the night in the bus station, I walked uptown to the Washington Bridge where I knew I would have access to the NY throughway. I planned to hitch a ride to Syracuse to seek solace with a friend. After a shrort time with my thumb extended, a car stopped and offered me a ride. It just so happened that the driver was headed to Syracuse! The driver was Tony Ciaravino. After several hours, I reluctantly told my story to Tony. WIth only $1.87 and half a stick of salami with me, Tony realized that I was no ordinary hitch hiker. Tony took care of dinner, put me up in the local YMCA for the evening, and purchased my bus ticket back to Pittsburgh. Thus began my long friendship with a man I cherish as a welcome friend. Back at the University of Pittsburgh where I was a student, I settled into my studies. I regularly corresponded with Tony, who was concerned with my welfare and studies. I subsequently met Tony on visits to New York. From there we traveled together to Provincetown MA and later to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I met with Tony on one of his trips to the Pittsburgh area where we enjoyed the spectacular night time view from atop Mount Washington. Over the years we continued to keep in touch. When my two sons were in their early teens, Tony paid us a visit in Minneapolis where he was a welcome guest in our house. Later when my younger son was considering college, we traveled to Maine to visit Colby and Bates. After the visit we paid Tony a visit in Owls Head, in 2001. That was the last time we met face to face, although we continued to exchange salutations via mail. I last spoke to Tony about a year ago and was happy to hear he was doing well. I can not forget the man that saved me from myself and brought me out of my depression. Tony is a man that I shall always remember as a true friend indeed. May he rest in everlasting peace. Respectfully, Robert D. Bergad