17 Oct 2016
BERRY, Dr. Gerald R. MD FRCSC
June 6, 1930 – October 17, 2016
It is with sadness that we announce the sudden but peaceful passing of
Gerald R. Berry. After a few years of declining physical health, he was called
to his eternal reward in the company of his loving wife of 60 years, Doreen.
Gerry was born and raised in Montreal. Following his high school education at
St. Leo’s in Westmount, he spent five memorable years at St. Francis Xavier
University, where he played varsity football and rugby (acquiring the moniker
‘the Big Guy’), and cultivated a deep and abiding love for the institution and
the Maritimes, thereafter to be known as ‘God’s country’. After acquiring a BSc
and a BA at ‘X’, he completed his medical school at Dalhousie in Halifax.
During his medical studies, he met Doreen at their good friends Art and
Marjorie Broden’s wedding. They wed 3 years later and happily celebrated
their 60th anniversary this August. Rosemere, Quebec was where Gerry and
Doreen set up home and a family practice, with Doreen serving as nurse and
administrator while he provided medical care. Soon the children began
arriving, initially at one-year intervals and then spaced out a bit: Kathleen,
Gerald, Brian, Michael, Greg, and Rob. The large family home was full of life,
love, kids, friends, and dogs for the next fifty years. Gerry’s hands were full
stitching up his own kids’ cuts as well as those of the childrens’ friends and
teammates. After a few years as a GP, he returned to McGill to specialize in
Pathology. He worked as a hemato-pathologist at the Lakeshore General
Hospital from 1967 to 1982 before moving to St. Mary’s Hospital where he
served as Director of Laboratory Services until his retirement in 2000. In
addition to his clinical expertise, he was recognized for his excellence in
teaching of McGill medical students, residents and fellows. Gerry had a
profound faith from which sprang his unbounded love for his family, friends
and fellow human beings. From his university days, theology and philosophy
were important sources of comfort and inspiration. In addition to these, he had
a broad variety of interests including sailing, carpentry, cooking, music, and
reading, all of which have been taken up to a varying degree by his six
children and thirteen grandchildren. Visitation will be at Kane and Fetterly
Funeral Home, 5301 Decarie Blvd., from 6 – 9 p.m. Thursday, October 20. A
Funeral Mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Basilica, 460 Rene Levesque Blvd.,
at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 21. Donations to St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation
or to St. Patrick’s Basilica would be appreciated.