John Lawrence "Larry" Bergin

Captain John Lawrence “Larry” Bergin passed away peacefully from complications of kidney cancer at his home in Bluffton, South Carolina, on October 19, 2024.

Born to John Lawrence Bergin and Catherine Bergin on August 1, 1942, Larry grew up in Farmingdale, New York, and Brick, New Jersey. As a cadet at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, he met his future wife, Sarah Mullen of Garden City, New York. Larry graduated in 1964, began sailing as a Third Mate for States Marine Isthmian Lines, married Sarah, and was appointed Master with SeaLand by the young age of 27. When he was 31, he was appointed permanent Master of the SL-7 vessel, the SS SeaLand Finance, which was the largest and fastest container ship of its time.

After living in Colts Neck, New Jersey, until 1979, Larry, Sarah, and their two children moved to Del Mar, California. Taking full advantage of the year-round sunshine, Larry played golf almost daily when he was not at sea. He also loved driving his cars – especially his Guards Red 1984 Porsche 911.

When Larry retired from sailing in 1999, he and Sarah built their dream home in the golfing community of Belfair in Bluffton, just minutes from Hilton Head Island. There, Larry traded his Porsche for a golf cart and indulged in his love of movies, books, and Sarah’s cooking while maintaining his lifelong love affair with the New York Times Crossword Puzzle.

Although he no longer sailed, Larry stayed active as an instructor and consultant at the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies in Baltimore, Maryland, where he taught classes in ship handling and bridge resource management to masters, mates, and pilots. He also served as a ship design consultant, as a harbor pilot consultant for the State of Florida, and as a leading expert witness in maritime litigation.

Larry is survived by his wife Sarah, his two children, Clare Lemon (John) and Larry Bergin (Marlo), his two grandchildren, Phoebe and Lukas, his five sisters and brothers, Rosemary Capitano, Michael Bergin, Kathryn Fletcher, Thomas Bergin, and Daniel Bergin, and their respective spouses.

The family will hold a private celebration of Larry’s life.