Albert “Bert” Ziegra passed away Thursday July 7, 2011 after a brief illness, on his own terms, at peace with God. At the conclusion of his life on earth, Bert was under the extraordinary care of the team at The New McLean in Simsbury, who helped him pass comfortably and with dignity. Bert was born July 3, 1926 the third son of Louis R. Ziegra and Olive Wells Ziegra, in Deep River, Connecticut. Bert was predeceased by his mother, father and older brother Louis R. Ziegra, Jr., formally of Alton, New Hampshire and his nephew Sumner R. Ziegra, Jr. of Deptford, New Jersey. Bert is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Natalie Mislick Ziegra of Simsbury; his brother Sumner R. Ziegra and his wife Marie of Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania; daughters Hope Ziegra of Canton, Connecticut and Lucia Ziegra of Simsbury, Connecticut; sons A. Wells Ziegra, Jr. of South Dartmouth, Massachusetts and Jonathan Ziegra and his wife Jennifer of Boothbay, Maine. Most important to Bert were his grandchildren of whom he was most proud. They are: Samantha Ziegra and Joshua Ziegra of South Dartmouth, Massachusetts and Carolyn Ziegra and Heidi Ziegra of Boothbay, Maine. Bert was a part of America’s Greatest Generation. Within days of his graduation from Deep River High School, Bert joined his two older brothers in the Navy, proudly serving in the Pacific Theater of Operations during the latter half of World War II as a quartermaster aboard the USS Montour and post-war as a crewman on the USS Red Oak Victory. Later in his life, Bert, along with his wife Natalie, enjoyed many reunions with his war-time comrades. After the war, Bert attended Trinity College earning his Bachelor Degree followed quickly with a Master’s Degree from Syracuse University. During his time at Syracuse University Bert discovered his love for teaching, ultimately relocating to Simsbury, Connecticut in 1951 where he began teaching chemistry and biology at Simsbury High School. Bert later taught at Hall High School in West Hartford, The Institute of Living in Hartford, and concluded his career teaching in the classical program at Hartford Public High School. Bert was a die-hard New York Giants and Boston Red Sox fan, instilling an almost fanatical love for both teams in his children and grandchildren. However, Bert’s real joy was following his grandchildren’s sports teams as well as keeping up-to-date with their performing arts and scholastic achievements. In his retirement he and Natalie travelled extensively in the U.S. and Canada. From Alaska to Florida to Maine to Hawaii and many places in between, he took time to enjoy the country he loved so much. Bert touched the lives of countless people with his wit, generosity, and maintained his trademark dry sense of humor all the way to the end. Friends and family are invited to attend calling hours on Sunday, July 10th from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury. Funeral service will be Monday, July 11th, 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made in Bert’s memory to the wonderful people at Gifts of Love, 35 East Main Street, Avon, CT 06001-3805, (860) 676-2323. Please visit Bert’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online condolences.