Santo Maria Francesco Berte´aka Sam or Popski. He was 98 years old, living independently at Pejepscot Terrace in Brunswick, ME until this past Wednesday. A fall in the early morning brought us to Mid Coast Hospital emergency room. He died on May 20th, 2016 at the hospital as a hospice patient. Cause of death was old age.

Born on 2/7/18 in Brooklyn, NY. Parents were Guiseppi Berté and Sabrina Berté both of Italy. Married Marguerita (Margaret) Mantellino on Valentine’s Day 1942.

Graduated from Manual Training High School in 1936. Drafted into the army in 1941, served as a Staff Sergeant in the medical corp. until honorably discharged when the war was over. After the war, returned to NYC and drove a bus. Was able to go to upholstery school on the GI bill and subsequently became a small business owner in Soho, NYC.

Resided in Brooklyn, NY and retired to Brunswick, Maine 31 years ago. Youthful hobbies were scuba diving, motorcycle riding and fast car driving. Later year hobbies were assisting his wife with running the bingo at Pejepscot Terrace.

He and his wife were married for 73 years. He was so devoted to her that he managed to visit her at Amenity Manor/Horizons Living and Rehab either by car, bus or taxi on a daily basis since 2010.

Survived by his wife Margaret Berté, daughter Lorraine Berté and her wife Tina Phillips; son, Joseph Berté and grandchildren Christopher Berté and Salvatore Berté.

No service will be held. Memorial donation contribution may be made to Horizons Living and Rehab recreation fund or the birdseed fund; 29 Maurice Drive, Brunswick, ME 04011. Thanks to the staff, residents and family members of Horizons Living and Rehab. They enriched his life as he did theirs. Thanks to the Med-Surg Nurses at Mid Coast Hospital and CHANS Hospice. They brought him great comfort in his final hours.

Arrangements are in the care of the Brackett Funeral Home, Brunswick.