Berry recalled as a force of nature for good
By Ed Nadolski
Editor in Chief
As a young father Jack Berry often tucked his four daughters into bed with a song that expressed his love for them and sent them off to dream with smiles on their faces.
Earlier this month as Berry passed his final hours on earth in hospice at Aurora Medical Center-Burlington, his daughters – now in their 50s and 60s – returned the favor.
They gathered around his bed and sang. Their tears flowed as their voices rose:
Tell me why the stars do shine;
Tell me why the ivy twines;
Tell me why the skies are blue;
And I will tell you just why I love you.
Because God made the stars to shine;
Because God made the ivy twine;
Because God made the skies so blue;
Because God made you, that’s why I love you.
I really think that God above;
Created you for me to love;
God picked you out from all the rest;
Because God knew I’d love you the best.
It felt so good and so right to offer strength and comfort in a song – just like their dad did for them so many times, his daughter Marilee Hoffman said.
“Dad was always there to listen,” she said. “He built that relationship with all of us. We were so proud when people would say, ‘You’re Jack Berry’s daughter.’”
Berry, who died Oct. 11 at the age of 94, was hailed this week by those who knew him as a force of nature – lifting, leading and inspiring people to make the best of their lives and their community.
Burlington Mayor Jeannie Hefty said Berry, a former Common Council president, was a mentor to her and inspired her to run for the city’s top post prior to her first go-round as mayor in the 1990s.
“I called him Mr. Burlington,” she said. “Jack was involved in everything – always with a smile.”
Hefty said she recently visited Berry in his apartment at Oak Park Place and he told her she was doing a good job.
“It meant a lot coming from Jack,” she said. “I was shocked to hear a month later he was gone … you expected him to keep going (forever).”
A community icon
Berry’s list of community service is long and impressive. He served three terms as 2nd District alderman as well as a stint on the Board of Education for the Burlington Area School District, was a Gold Badge member and Captain of the Burlington Rescue Squad and was a founder and the first chairman of Burlington’s ChocolateFest.
He was also involved with the Chamber of Commerce, Historical Society and Rotary Club, where he rose to the position of district governor – only the second person in the history of the Burlington club to do so. After Berry retired from Rotary, the local club presented him with its Humanitarian Award in 2015 in recognition of his community service work.
It was at a Rotary Club meeting 20-some years ago where Ron Kolman met Berry.
“He always put himself out there as a guide and counsel,” said Kolman, who served as club president for the 2020-21 year. “He didn’t lecture or teach, but he’d guide and lead by example.
“Nothing was impossible with him,” Kolman added. “He never hesitated to do the heavy lifting.”
To read the entire story – including his military service, how he found his wife and how his dedication to service inspired his family and his community – see the Oct. 21 edition of the Burlington Standard Press.
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