CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Local business owner Lynn Bergey has died at the age of 55, his family announced on social media.
Bergey was a co-owner of the family-run bakery, Bergey's Breadbasket in Chesapeake. Bergey's is well-known in Chesapeake for their ice cream, chicken pot pies, and interactive petting zoo.
"With heavy hearts we share the news of the passing of Lynn Bergey, one of our owners, our brother, our uncle. He was an integral part of our family & this business," the social media post reads.
Chesapeake news reporter Erin Holly went to Bergey's Breadbasket on Thursday to speak with the Bergey family about the legacy Lynn is leaving behind.
Lynn lived in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with his wife Lori. Lynn was a pilot for Penske Corporation for 22 years, but he would take a few weeks of vacation every year to come down to Chesapeake and work at Bergey's.
“The biggest loss will be the encouragement. I mean, he always, with me and another manager, my sister-in-law, he would always call and check in on us, see how thinks were going, any concerns we had," James Bergey, the nephew of Lynn said.
Bergey and his siblings "reinvented" Bergey's Breadbasket to honor his family and the piece of land that it sits on. Bergey was a partner in Flying Home LLC, which operates the Chesapeake bakery, the obituary reads.
“I think the coolest thing is, he had such a passion for keeping this place going, you know, and keeping a place where you know, families can come, families can eat, see animals, have a good time," James Bergey said.
The Bergey's say during the time Lynn was able to spend in Chesapeake, he loved working on manual labor projects around the property.
“Lynn had a great help in building this new, brand new, place that keeps any of our product that’s coming in by truck or that kind of thing, safe," Harold Bergey, Lynn's brother said. “He was a go-getter!"
Bergey is survived by his wife of over 31 years, two children and five siblings.
A celebration of Bergey's life will be held on Feb. 28 at Worship Center on New Holland Pike in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Visitation is from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. — with the service beginning at 11 a.m.
Bergey's Breadbasket in Chesapeake will be closed on Feb. 28 to honor Bergey's life.
