Gordon R. Berry, age 79, died peacefully on Tuesday, February 26, 2002 at the Aberjona Nursing Center in Winchester after a long illness. He was the loving husband of Barbara A. (Haley) Berry, with whom he celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary on November 20th. They were wed in the Old South United Methodist Church in Reading.
He was born in Medford, June 17, 1922, a son of the late Frank A. and Carolyn M. (Kellum) Berry. Raised in Medford he graduated Medford High School, Class of 1940. He was a resident of Winchester, formerly of Reading and East Dennis.
His education was interrupted when he enlisted into the Army during World War II. He was honored with a Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, a China War Memorial, as well as a Bronze Star during his enlistment. He was also qualified as a Rifle Marksman while at war.
He was employed as a Salesman for the C.M. Rice Company, a paper manufacturing plant in Portland, Maine for 35 years, until his retirement.
During his life, Mr. Berry was active in the VFW in Reading, the Meadow Brook Golf Club in Reading, where he was a past president (1966-1968). Gordon was a member of the finance committee for the Methodist Church as well as a member of the Men's Forum, both of East Dennis. In his spare time, Gordon enjoyed furniture caning, weekly poker games with his friends at the Senior Center in East Dennis. An avid traveler, Gordon's favorite places for vacation include Florida, Alaska, and Arizona.
Gordon handled his physical handicaps with courage, dignity, and always with a smile. He will be sorely and deeply missed. He is the beloved husband of Barbara A. Harrington Berry. Loving father of Rob and his wife Andrea Berry, Russell and his wife Sandra Harrington, Mark Harrington, Scott Harrington, Sandra and her husband Clyde McAllister, Linda and her husband Rick Stoddard, Patricia Armstrong, and Judith McCormack. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren.
Donations in Gordon's memory may be made to Hospice Care, 41 Montvale Avenue, Stoneham, MA 02180.
His funeral service will be held in the Old South United Methodist Church, 6 Salem Street, Reading, Saturday at 10 o'clock. Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held in the Beals-Geake-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 29 Governors Avenue, Medford, Friday from 2-4 & 7-9 PM.