Carl William Berger

Carl William Berger

AGE: 84 • Manchester

Carl William Berger (known as Bill), 84, of Leisure Knoll, Manchester, died peacefully at home on Monday, March 9, 2015. Born in Philadelphia, Bill lived in Bala Cynwyd and Valley Forge, PA, Baltimore, MD and Upper Montclair, NJ before moving to Manchester, NJ in 1996. He became an Eagle Scout at the age of 15 and later became an Explorer Scout Ranger and served on the staff at Camp Delmont, BSA for four summers. While attending Lower Merion High School, Bill lettered on two undefeated state championship gymnastic teams. During his high school and college years, Bill bred and showed Airedale Terriers and joined the Airedale Terrier Club of America, of which he was a member for 64 years. Bill graduated with a BS from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Finance and Commerce. While in attendance, he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. During Bill's service in the U.S. Army, he was stationed at Ft. Jackson, Ft. Benjamin Harrison, and Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. Bill was later employed by Montgomery Ward and W.T. Grant, where he held transportation management positions. He then became National Director of Transportation and Distribution with General Felt Distributors/Foamex International, retiring in 1995. He was a member of the Traffic Club of New York from 1959-1975, the Chain Store Traffic League, the National Industrial Traffic League, the Furniture Traffic Conference, and the Chicago Shipping Association. In 1974, while on the New York Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee, Bill became founder of the Shippers National Freight Claim Council, was its first President, and a 20 year member of its Board of Directors while it evolved into the Transportation Consumers Protection Council with over 800 members nationwide. After his son was found to be developmentally disabled, he became a board member of the ARC of Essex County, served on the Board of Directors of the ARC of New Jersey, and was on the New Jersey Developmental Disabilities Council for nine years after being recommended by Senator Codey and appointed by Governor Whitman. Bill also served as a board member on the Association of Hunterdon Developmental Center as a trustee, it's president, and for fourteen years, it's treasurer.

While living in Upper Montclair, Bill served several terms on the vestry of St. John's Episcopal Church and eight years as Warden, being named Warden Emeritus in 1995. After moving to Manchester, Bill attended All Saints Episcopal Church in Lakewood where he served as Treasurer for three years. As a member of the Leisure Knoll community, Bill was active in the Fishing Club, the Veterans Club, and the Computer Club.

Bill was an avid fisherman. His favorite fishing spots were in surf, streams, and since 1954, on Lake Champlain, VT where his family spent summer months at the Preston cottage at Mile Point.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Barbara Preston Berger, two daughters, Janet Preston Berger of Vergennes, VT, and Carrie Szeliga, married to John Szeliga of Spring Lake, NJ, one son, David William Berger of Clinton, NJ, four grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and a brother, Rev. Dr. Jere Berger and wife Josephine of Middletown Springs, VT.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 21 at All Saints Episcopal Church, Lakewood. A graveside service will be held at Prospect Cemetery, Vergennes, VT at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Association for Hunterdon Developmental Center, 275 Shepherd Ave., Bound Brook, NJ 08805. Arrangements by DeGraff Cremation Service, Lakehurst.