Malcolm Cox Bertram Jr.

S. WELLFLEET — Mal, 84, died on August 30, 2017 from complications of Alzheimers.

He was born in W. Springfield, MA on July 27, 1933 to Malcolm and Margaret Bertram. Mal is survived by his wife Barbara (Bruder) whom he married on June 18, 1955. He is survived by his three children: Malcolm S. Bertram of Boston, Lee R. Bertram and his wife Margaret (Santoli) of Bayport, NY and Lori Ann Bertram and her husband George Arnos of Hull, MA. He is also survived by four grandsons: Malcolm, Spencer, Lee, and Kurtis.

He graduated from Classical High School in Springfield, MA, earned a Bachelors degree from Michigan State University, and received his Bachelors in Divinity from Oberlin Graduate School of Theology. He was ordained in 1959 at his home church, First Congregational in West Springfield. He received his Doctor of Ministry from NY Theological Seminary in 1979.

His formal ministry in the United Church of Christ (UCC) began when his first church, Trinity Congregational Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was one of the first to join the UCC. His church ministry led him to the Garden City Community Church in Kansas followed by 21 years at Syosset Community Church in NY. He concluded his formal ministry at the Second Church in Newton, MA. He retired in 1997 and joined the Federated Church, E. Orleans, MA.

He never knew anything other than the church. His dedication and commitment to the UCC was evident in every way. He was Parliamentarian for countless UCC General Synods. During his Syosset years, he conducted Lenten services for commuters on the Long Island Railroad. “That they may all be one” was a life philosophy and foundation from which Mal worked tirelessly. His lifetime commitment to social justice led him to Russia, Nicaragua, Germany and many areas in the US. He worked for the rights of Farmworkers to stand with Cesar Chavez. Other justice work included fighting for the voices of those marginalized, those who were homeless, hungry and those with disabilities of any kind. He worked for gay rights, marriage equality, Women’s rights – regarding employment, their bodies and their dreams. He listened to stories and joined the work.

In his retirement he named his boat “Loafs and Fishes”. When he wasn’t loafing and fishing, he was an Annuitant Visitor for the UCC Pension Boards, consultant with churches and clergy and continued his work as parliamentarian with the UCC Connecticut conference and local churches. He also served as Interim Conference Minister of the Metropolitan Boston Association of the MA UCC Conference and was an active member in his home church.

His roots to S. Wellfleet ran deep, dating back to 1961. If you were on LeCounts Hollow between 1961 and 2010, you would have found him sunning, swimming and chatting with anyone with whom he could engage. He fished, he ran (19 marathons), he loved track, the Boston Red Sox, the Patriots and Celtics, Michigan State football and basketball.

He loved his family and celebrating milestones. He rejoiced in life and the challenges that come with it all. He loved a party, music and dancing (to the Village People’s “YMCA”) at the Holiday Inn in Provincetown. He loved life. He will be missed and his work will live on.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday September 9, 2017 at 1:00 at the Federated Church, 162 Main Street, East Orleans, MA 02643. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the music ministry of the Federated Church.

For online condolences, please visit http://www.nickersonfunerals.com