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PETER C. BERRY

PETER BERRY Obituary

BERRY--Peter Chamberlain, 60, of New York City, died of a heart attack while running in Central Park on Sunday, January 19. He is survived by his children Shirley Lupton Berry, James Chamberlain Berry and Peter Ward Berry and his former wife, Tav Holmes Berry. Peter is also survived by his mother Nancy Ward Berry, brother Charles G. Berry, and nephews Nicholas, Samuel and Christopher Berry. He was predeceased by his father Rynn Berry, brother Eliot Ward Berry and half-brother Rynn Berry, Jr. Peter graduated from the Buckley School, Groton School, Yale College, Boston University Law School, where he was a member of the Law Review, and NYU Law School's Graduate Tax Program. After a clerkship with Judge Edward R. Neaher of the Federal District Court in Brooklyn, Peter specialized in tax and corporate trust law and helped set up the first exchange-traded fund (ETF) for trading gold. Throughout his life he was a scholar, bibliophile and reader on all subjects, read Latin and ancient Greek for pleasure, and had a deep knowledge of early printed books and fine typography. Peter was a member of the Yale Varsity Squash Team, an A-ranked player in the New York Metropolitan Squash League, a lifelong advanced practitioner of yoga, and a tireless bicycle rider throughout the City. He cared deeply for his family and friends, who sorely miss him. A memorial service will be held at St. James' Church, Madison Avenue and 71st Street, on Monday, January 27 at 4pm followed by a reception. Gifts in Peter's memory may be made to The New York Society Library, 53 East 79th Street, NYC 10075, or The Elizabethan Club of Yale University, 459 College Street, New Haven, CT 06511.

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Published by New York Times on Jan. 22, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for PETER BERRY

28 Entries

Stu Jacobson

February 3, 2014

Rich Fabbro and I were watching the Super Bowl and reminiscing about Yale. I mentioned that I hadn't seen Peter in years until the last y76 reunion and how it was nice to see him again. Rich told me of Peter's passing and I was shocked of course. He lived across the hall from me senior year and was a pleasant and studious fellow. As I remember he graduated with academic distinction and was a Greek scholar, truly unusual. My condolences.

Dom Petito

January 31, 2014

I only heard about Peter's passing two days ago and was shocked by the news. Peter was a classmate at BU Law School where we both served on the Law Review. I remember Peter for his intellect, honesty, compassion, smile, sense of humor and, most of all, friendship. Despite having lost touch over the years, I have very fond memories of Peter and our years at law school, which I will always cherish. This is heartbreaking to all who knew Peter and I send my deepest condolences to Tav, his children and the rest of his family and friends. We have lost a special person and I will miss him.

E R

January 29, 2014

An energetic, extremely kind soul with a wonderful sense of humor. His presence will be missed. My deepest condolences to his family.

karen simon

January 27, 2014

i met peter in the early 80's while working in politics. peter was interested in becoming involved. he was a intelligent and committed individual. he always was kind and friendly whenever i saw him. i've run into him a few times in the neighborhood, and it was always nice to see him again. i remember one time meeting him with his children on columbus avenue. i could tell he was so proud of his kids, and seemed delighted to be with them. my sympathies go out to his children and all members of his family. a good man who is gone too soon.

Charlie Coolidge

January 26, 2014

I am very saddened by the news of Peter's death. I have great memories of him from our time at Groton. He was a wonderful person and a free spirit. My condolences go out to his family.

January 26, 2014

A more gracious, learned and kind man did not exist. Our hearts go out to Tav and their children. Love, Joe and Elizabeth Forte

ann beha radloff

January 23, 2014

We send our condolences to all of the Berry family, to Charlie and dear Nancy, a long time friend of my family. We are so sorry for this difficult winter of loss, and we know you are surrounded by loving friends.

Robert McSween

January 23, 2014

Peter, we will miss you my friend. RIP - Max

Aleta Brisbane Heisig

January 23, 2014

My heart goes out to the entire Berry family. Christmas lunch this year with Peter will be one I will always remember. Our families have been cherished friends always.

Marc Zarowin

January 23, 2014

I've been a friend of Peter's for a few years, mostly through our shared practice of Iyengar Yoga. I always always admired his earnestness as student and vast curiosity to work through and learn more. My sincerest condolences to all his family and friends in this time of loss. Wishing that it serves to enrich you to know how many people Peter's life touched. Sincerely,,,

Temba Maqubela

January 23, 2014

While I feel robbed of spending more time with another Grotonian I just met and with whom I shared the embrace one feels On the Circle, we are grateful for those moments, however brief, we spent with this extraordinary man. May time and good memories heal all who were close to him.

January 23, 2014

What will always remain of Peter is the memory of the excitement that simply radiated off him as he described choosing type for a book, typesetting, and the satisfaction of pulling a newly printed sheet off the press, the smell of the ink and the basement print shop. Peter may have done many great things, but I suspect that he was never more himself than when expounding on books and the art of making them.

Larry Gruner

January 22, 2014

My sincere concolences to all of Peter's family. It has been many years since our path's crossed, but have many fond memories of Peter at Groton where I met him first in our Second Form year.
Peter and the Berry family will be in my prayers.

Laura Shapiro Kramer

January 22, 2014

It was a privilege to have Peter as a colleague and fellow Board member and to experience his light and his insight. How sad to learn of his untimely passing. I will always remember his serious and authentic commitment to a spiritual and meaningful life.

Paula Hornbostel

January 22, 2014

Peter was such an attractive man from the most wonderful family. I always looked up to him and hoped to see him reach the ripe old age his father did. My heart aches to learn of this news and goes out to his entire family, but especially his beloved, loving mother.

January 22, 2014

Rest in Peace

January 22, 2014

I am so sorry for your loss. Please be comforted in knowing God cares for you and will help you in your time of need. 1 Pet. 5:7

Linda Conner

January 22, 2014

My deepest condolences to the family of Peter C.Berry. My you cherish the wonderful memories of him. There will be time when we see our love one's again. John 28:29~LC New York

January 22, 2014

Our hearts go out to all his family at this terrible time of loss and grief. Ritchie & Charlie Scribner

David Porter

January 22, 2014

I last saw Peter in New York in the fall at the reception for Temba Maqubela and as always we shared a laugh. I made a reference to a line from Star Wars and Peter without missing a beat recited Obi Wan Kenobi's speech in full. His sudden loss is a reminder of that each day is a gift. Farewell, old friend.

Randi Danforth

January 22, 2014

I knew Peter while he was at Groton, and also Yale. He was one of the first to practice yoga at Groton, and he was also into modern dance. I treasure our last conversation, which was last Saturday night, when we talked about archaeology, the new South African headmaster of Groton, and Cairo, from where I recently moved. I will miss him very much -- I always assumed we would have many more eclectic chats, one of those rare people who can engage in many interests with intelligence and acuity.

Kathy Malone

January 22, 2014

A world without Peter's vital presence is hard to imagine. But he remains a living presence in the lives of all of us he touched. Yale without Peter would have been so different a place; especially the senior year we were privileged to spend in such a special way together as a group. CTI Peter even now, and thank you.

Allen Peacock

January 22, 2014

Peter will be missed by all who knew him, by all who enjoyed his lively wit, his wide-ranging intelligence, and his kindness. My sympathies to Tav, his children, his brother, his Mom, and to his colleagues, friends, and college classmates. Those of us who are proud to have been his contemporaries at Groton School, circa 1967-1972, mourn the loss of a beloved friend.

Jim Cooper

January 22, 2014

Peter was a great student of classics at Groton, and a high-energy friend. I missed seeing him for decades until a group of us got together in NY a few years ago. I will miss Peter!

David Key

January 22, 2014

Peter was well known to the Key family, starting at tennis camp at Piping Rock (1967-72) where he and I played doubles competitively (we won with trophies to prove it), then later when he joined our family office in downtown Manhattan with my wife and daughter and various Key visitors. We saw him daily. He actively studied the gold market and monetary policy and initiated frequent discussions with his 8 office mates. Our sympathies and prayers go to all the Berry family, Peter's former wife Tav and their children who we know were very close to Peter. Such a loss and we will miss him terribly

Hench Ellis

January 22, 2014

I was also a classmate of Peter's at Groton and am deeply saddened to hear of his passing. Peter was an intelligent, thoughtful and empathic man who was quick with a laugh and full of positive energy. I remember several years ago we ran into each other at a black tie event and had to walk 20 blocks uptown wearing only our tuxedos during a driving NYC snow storm. It was miserably cold, but Peter danced the entire way. He was a very good dancer, by the way. Goodbye, old friend. We merry few will miss you very much.

Paul Stewart

January 22, 2014

Peter was my classmate at Groton. We are saddened for your loss and because we will miss our friend.Our prayers for him and our condolences to you,his family. Peter was a good guy.
Paul Stewart
Groton 1972

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