Pine Island Cove man seeks to share his love

Proving that music is not only good for the soul but can be therapeutic during surgery recovery, Pine Island Cove resident Pete Bercik, 78, exemplifies the power in his art form. After 17 major surgeries and a bout with brain damage, Bercik, following his doctor’s recommendation, has returned to playing his accordion in an attempt to help “retrain” his mind.
Recently returning home from a 3 1/2 month stay at the hospital, Bercik has followed his doctor’s advise.
“It was difficult at first but I kept at it and later I returned to Cape Coral Hospital to play for the doctor and the staff there,” said Bercik. “It blew them all away.”
“When I play, I am oblivious to everything, even the pain,” he continued.
Most recently, Bercik participated in a parade that took place at Pine Island Cove.
“My son Brian was here to help out and he tied my wheelchair to the back of our three-wheeled bicycle. He towed me and a walker that was tied behind me that had a big blue bunny sitting on it with his hands over his ears.” Bercik said. “We had a great time and those watching the parade really enjoyed my performance. I fact, I won first place in the parade for music.”
With a long history playing the accordion, Bercik has shared his love of this somewhat antiquated instrument with hundreds of music lovers.
Bercik received his first accordion at the age of 7 and his first professional performance was for a group of nuns in 1937.
“Many years later I had heard that one of the nuns I had played for was about to celebrate her 50-year anniversary. I made a point of attending and played for her once again. It brought tears to both our eyes,” he said.
As a professional musician, Bercik took his love for what he calls the “Stomach Steinway,” across the nation and later decided to share his music with those who were unable to go to him.
“Many years ago, I started a program to provide elder care music and played in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. I played everything from polkas to to love songs from the ’40s and ’50s,” he said. “It was amazing to watch people with severe cases of dementia. At first they would just sit there with their heads drooped down and when I began to play some of them would start tapping along to the music. It was very heartwarming and gratifying.”
One of the accordions Bercik still plays was presented to him as a gift from Michael Vanca, an accomplished accordion player.
“When Michael heard about what I was doing, he wanted to give me one of his accordions. This accordion has entertained soldiers and tens of thousands of others since World War II,” Bercik said.
The Excelsior Accordiona was built in 1940 and was played by Vanca during dozens of performances with the USO.
Bercik also has taught numerous others to play the accordion as well including his children and grandchildren, and even though still recovering from his hospitalization, he is working on several ideas to teach others.
“I would love to begin teaching children as well as adults how to play. It is my goal to bring the accordion back into the mainstream,” Bercik said. “Many musicians have traded accordions for guitars, but I feel the accordion still has a place and only needs to be reintroduced to society.”