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WILLIAM BERRY Obituary
Rev. WILLIAM F. BERRY
On Monday, October 21, 2013, of Silver Spring, MD. Priest of the Archdiocese of Washington. Member of the first graduating class of John Carroll High School in 1955. Graduate of the North American College In Rome. Former Chaplain on the field for the Washington Redskins and Chaplain at Prince Georges Hospital. Pastor of several parishes in the Archdiocese of Washington. Beloved brother of Joan Brown, Charles Berry, Evaleen Walton, Joseph Berry and the late Alice Davis, Grace Smith and George Berry. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends may call at Our Lady of Grace Church, 15661 Norbeck Blvd., Silver Spring, MD, Thursday, 3 to 7 p.m. with vigil Mass at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Grace Church on Friday, October 25 at 10:30 a.m. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.www.COLLINSFUNERALHOME.com
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Memories and Condolences
for WILLIAM BERRY
Joyce Wallace
April 28, 2024
He was a wonderful man and a very good Reverend! He will be missed by all who knew him!
JERRY FREMEAU
October 17, 2022
BILLY ITS BEEN A LONG LONG TIME SEEING YOU. THE MEMORIES YOU GAVE US WERE GREAT. THANK YOU FATHER FOR ALL YOU DID FOR CAROL AND MYSELF AND ALL TGE GREAT MEMORIES OF KNOWING YOU.
Jerome Fremeau
October 18, 2020
FATHER BILL AFTER THE YESRS GAVE PASSED WE ARE IN THE YEAR 2920 CAROL AND I STILL HAVE THE MEMORIES OF GOOD TIMES OF OUR FRIENDSHIP AND YOU PRESIDING OVER OUR MARRIAGE AND THE BAPTISM OF OUR DAUGHTER. THE MEMORIES OF RIDING THE BACK STEP AT ENGINE CO 22 THE TUXEDO CHEVERLY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT.
BULL WE WILL MEET AGAIN IN GODS KINGDOM.
LOVE YA FATHER BILL BERRY
CAROL AND JERRY FREMEAU
Jerome, Jerry and Carol Fremeau
October 17, 2019
BILL YOU ARE A GREAT FRIEND OF OUR FAMILY. THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP IN OUR LIVES.
WE MISS YOU. WE KNOW YOU ARE SITTING WITH OUR FATHER AS HE SEEKS ADVICE FORM THE BEST.
Stacie Adams-Kelly
November 11, 2013
Rest in peace Father Berry, you were a wonderful human being, always gracious and friendly. Godspeed-
Ellen Fielding
November 10, 2013
I am so sorry that I did not hear the news about Fr. Berry until today. I came to Holy Redeemer parish just 2 or 3 years before he left but felt great warmth from and for him. He was a kind man with the Holy Redeemer children, among whom was my youngest. God bless him!
Michael and Martha Kerley
October 27, 2013
Fr. Bill Berry was many things to many people at St. Ambrose and in Cheverly, as the preceding testimonies capture so well. To me he was that guy who had the wisdom to keep our gym open during the holidays so young folks had a place to burn off all that extra holiday energy, and the generosity to give me his Redskins vs. Cowboys NFC Championship tickets at RFK in '72 when I was home on leave from the USAF. In addition he married my wife and I in 1972 after giving her instructions in the faith. He also concelebrated at my dad's funeral in 1989. What a testimony to God's consistent presence here on earth. Rest in peace.
Mary Ellen and Dave Barringer
October 26, 2013
So thankful for Fr. Berry's priesthood. He married us, baptized our son Thomas and held a memorial service for our son who died before birth in a late term miscarriage. Will pray the Office of the Dead for his soul.
Mickey Mullaney
October 26, 2013
Charlie, so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. As a member of Carroll's class of 55' we had lots of fun. Then we hookd up at Lackland AFB, and you Charlie got my 49 Ford. Fond memories. God be with the Berry family.
Joe McGaffin
October 25, 2013
What a wonderful, down to earth, Godly man. It's an honor to have known him.
Mary Gallagher
October 25, 2013
Fr. Berry was great to my family and to me. Through him I found a place to live when I first moved to NYC and through that contact a job. He will be missed. RIP.
Maury Mattingly
October 25, 2013
So sorry to hear of Father's passing. I always enjoyed being with him and working with him when he was at Holy Redeemer in College Park. I also remember him coming down to the beach and camping in his tent in the front yard of our grandparents cottage. Such a wonderful man. Peace to you Father, good and faithful servant.
Bruce Bowen
October 25, 2013
He married two of my sisters. At one point during one of the ceremonies the wine was temporarily misplaced and he quipped that he thought he would *really* have to turn water into wine.
Paul Jochum
October 25, 2013
It was always a pleasure when you were in the company of Fr. Berry. What a great guy. God bless his soul.
Celeste LaCamera
October 25, 2013
Fr. Berry was a kind and gentle man to many children at St. Ambrose. He gave his time to us, attended our softball/basketball games, took us on trips, and was an exemplary role model. I feel blessed to have known him and will think of him fondly.
Eileen Burke-Hood
October 24, 2013
I am so sorry to learn of Father Berry's passing. Father married my husband and I 41 yrs ago. My husband was impressed with him. A very great shepherd of the flock.
October 24, 2013
I am so sad to learn of Father Berry's passing. I met Father Berry at the Friendly Inn and then again at weddings and baptisms of friends. He was so kind and caring, I thought of him often. May you be enjoying ultimate happiness.
Peggy Fineran Shaffer
October 24, 2013
How saddened I am to hear the news of the passing of Fr. Berry. He played an integral role in my life as a youth in the St. Ambrose parish and Cheverly community. I was blessed to have him perform my wedding, providing wonderful wisdom for a happy life! I was blessed to have him be a part of my life. He will truly be missed!
Joshua Neel
October 24, 2013
Father berry, your soothing voice and your care and compassion for your fellow man will never be forgotten. You helped so many find peace and always took the time to listen and help in any way you could. You always knew just what to say or do when somebody was troubled or in despair. The world has lost a great man, but god has welcomed back one of his finest angels. You may be gone but you will certainly never be forgotten. May you be at peace at the right hand of god, and may we reunite once again in due time
Christine McCarthy Conti
October 24, 2013
With deepest sympathies for the Law children on the passing of their beloved uncle, Fr. Berry. I fondly remember him visiting their Montrose road home many times. He always had a kind word and great smile for all of us kids in the neighborhood. May God bless and bring comfort to his family and all those that loved him.
Jim/Lori Mattingly
October 24, 2013
I was very saddened get this news today. Father Berry was close friend of our family and he will truly be missed by all of us. Today is our 26th wedding anniversary and Father Berry married us. A friend to all who knew him from St. Ambrose and Cheverly. Rest In Peace Father B...
Michael Spisak
October 24, 2013
Father Berry performed my Baptism several years ago and was instrumental in my comfort in conversion. He will be dearly missed by all that have been graced by his presence.
Bob & Kate O'Connor
October 24, 2013
We remember Fr. Berry from our time working in the ER at P.G. Hospital. Like magic, he was always there when you needed him. A wonderful man, he married us in 1977. As I remember, he was a very good softball 3rd baseman. May he rest in peace with the Lord.
Mary Anne Fitzpatrick Barnes
October 24, 2013
I have known Bill for 60 years or more. A true friend in every sense of the word — never a thought for himself. Whether it was a night at the Friendly Inn or a Barnes family get-together, Bill was always there. Doug and I always counted him as one of our closest friends. He married us and baptized both of our daughters. Bill, may you Rest in Peace with the Lord...and Doug.
Joyce J Staubs
October 24, 2013
Father Berry was grace personified and gave comfort to many patients when he was at PG Hospital. Sorry for his passing.
October 24, 2013
Fr. Berry was a shy man. I know that his time at our parish probably was difficult for him. May perpetual light shine upon him. Louise Barkley, Susan, Frank, Katey, Becka and Gabriel Hunter
Fr. John Mattingly
October 24, 2013
I was the priest who followed Fr. Berry at St. Francis Xavier Parish, Newtowne, MD. He is remembered to this very day. May God be with his family.
October 24, 2013
We were saddened to hear about the death of Fr. Bill. As former members of St. Gabriel's parish in Washington, D.C., the Berrys and the Nicastros attended church and school there.
We have fond memories of Fr. Bill and the Berry family.
Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you.
Sincerely
All of the Nicastro Family
Linda SANNER-Muller
October 24, 2013
What a true GREAT Man ! He was a friend to all as long as I knew him . He was with us at P.G.E.R. and never ever thought twice about coming in when we called .I know and remember well all the staff had so much love for him.
Linda SANNER Muller
October 23, 2013
To Fr. Bill Berry's Family:
Fr. Berry hired me (an out-of-stater) as Director of Liturgy and Music at Holy Redeemer, College Park, in 1992. One of his greatest traits was his
kind heart.Once,I saw him give a pair of his own new shoes-box included-to a homeless man. God also blessed him with great intelligence, and it was recognized when he was sent to study at the North American College in Rome before his ordination. He was a "Roman". He counted on those of us who worked for him to use our gifts of intelligence to help God's people. He was never a micro-manager! When my dad died and I had to have cancer surgery two weeks later, Fr. Berry allowed me to regain my strength, and the day when I finally DID "creep" into one of the back church pews for Sunday Mass-he paused before the Final Blessing-and said,"Look who has come back with us again!"-and led the applause. One of his favorite stories to tell from the pulpit was about a surgeon he knew who found himself in need of surgery. When Fr. Berry walked in to see him, and asked him if it was serious, the surgeon replied,"If the surgery is on you, it's MINOR; if it's on me, it's MAJOR!" Somehow,that always got a laugh! Isn't it wonderful that we can remember the good that a person did when our paths crossed at some point on our life's journey? Ah!That we should be so blessed! Fr. Bill, "May the road rise up to meet you, May the wind be ever at your back.May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again + MAY GOD HOLD YOU IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND!
Peace to all of us!
Joan M. Laskey
Bob and Carla Williams
October 23, 2013
We will always remember Fr. Berry for baptizing our daughter in our back yard and all the good times at the Friendly Inn. Our deepest sympathy. Bob and Carla
Sue Hixson
October 23, 2013
Charles; I was so sorry to read your brother Bill's death notice today. I e-mailed a copy to my brother who also went to Carroll with him. Prayers for your whole family. Suzanne, SNJM
Patrick Johnson
October 23, 2013
God bless Father Berry. You were a good man. Thank you for all you did for my family and I. RIP my friend...
October 23, 2013
Jack and I always loved being with you especially when you married us. Please rest in peace with Jack. With love and respect Kay Fletcher
Jerome Fremeau
October 23, 2013
I AM SADDENED TO HEAR OF THE PASSING OF OUR FRIEND FATHER BILL BERRY. I BEACAME CLOSE TO BILL IN MY DAYS AT ST. AMBROSE AND THE TUXEDO CHEVERLY VFD. BILL MARRIED ME AND MY WIFE CAROL AND CHRISTINED OUR DAUGHTER SHANNON. IT WILL BREAK MY WIFE'S HEART WHEN I TELL HER OF HIS PASSING BUT WE WILL ALL BE TOGETHER AGAIN IN HEAVEN. WE LOVE YOU BILL.
October 23, 2013
Dear Friends,
Please accept our sincere sympathy at the death of your loved one.
May God bless him and rest his soul. May the Perpetual Light shine upon him and give him peace.
Sincerely,
Bob and Marina Beasley
October 23, 2013
So many memories of love and friendship shared just came flooding in today. We have missed our great friend for awhile and pray he is being guiding by the angels and reunited with his beloved family and friends. Our sympathy and love, Mary (Grace) and Jim Robinson--Jimmy & Katie Robinson
Roddy Butts
October 23, 2013
With deepest sympathy we the Members of The Tuxedo-Cheverly Vol. Fire Dept. will cherish the memory of a very special friend. Our Chaplin
October 23, 2013
Dear Joe and Fran,
So sorry to hear of your loss.He no longer has to suffer.He is now in a much better place. God Bless, The Dixons
October 23, 2013
Joe: I am sorry to hear of Father Bill's passing.
Susie Kenny
October 23, 2013
Many will also remember Bill was the chaplain for the Tuxedo-Cheverly Volunteer Fire Department as well.
Rest in Peace.
Jimmy Trollinger
JOHN MURPHY
October 23, 2013
Sorry for the lose felt by all his class mates 1955.
Janeen Reavis
October 23, 2013
Joe,
I'm sorry to hear about your brother. You and your family are in my prayers.
Micheline Buchanan
October 23, 2013
My thoughts and prayers go out to Father Berrys family he was a wonderful man
P Rob
October 23, 2013
I am sorry to hear of the passing of William. May the God of all comfort be with you and your family during this difficult time.
With Deepest Sympathy
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