Lawrence E. Berry, 95 years young of Brockton, passed away Friday, May 27, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton. Our family has lost a wonderful, kind and loving man, our Dad and Papa.
Larry was born on February 15, 1921 to Walter and Mary (Walsh) Berry and was the third youngest child and sixth son of eight children. He was born and raised in Brockton and is an 11th generation member of the Berry Family dating back to the early 1600’s who settled on Cape Cod. Larry is also a descendent of three notable Mayflower Pilgrims, William Bradford, William Brewster and Stephen Hopkins.
During the summer of Larry’s senior year of high school he was a member of the New Hampshire Civilian Conservation Corps. He often spoke fondly of the work he accomplished when remembering those days. He is a graduate of the class of 1940 from Brockton High School. After high school he developed an interest in boxing, at times entering the ring himself serving as a sparring opponent for local boxers. This interest of boxing lasted throughout his lifetime. His work career covered a span of several decades that included working at the Hingham Naval Shipyard during WWII. He later vacated this position for the veterans returning from the war. His employment continued; working for the railroad, local construction companies, and the Brockton Public Schools Maintenance Department where he retired in 1989. His retirement years were a very special time in his life where he pursued traveling with his wife and family, spending time on Cape Cod, gardening, walking for fitness, reading nonfiction historical books and was an avid listener of AM talk radio.
A mutual friend introduced the shy, strong and handsome Larry to his beloved late wife Stephanie (Rinkus) who predeceased him in 2011. They enjoyed 60 plus years of marriage.
Remaining to honor and remember him are his two loving daughters Nancy Klebash and Elizabeth Berry, a wonderful son-in-law Ken Klebash, cherished grandchildren;
Brian and Kris Klebash, Kris’s fiance John O’Connell, and great grandchild
Aiden O’Connell. He also leaves several loving nieces and nephews.
In addition, he was predeceased by his brothers Walter, Herbert, John, Harold, James, Carl and his sister Barbara.
The family will greet friends from 3 to 7 pm on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at the Conley Funeral Home 138 Belmont St (Rte. 123) Brockton. A procession will form at the funeral home Thursday, June 2, 2016 at 9:30 for a funeral mass in Saint Edith Stein Church, East Main Street, Brockton at 10:30. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Brockton.
The family would like to extend our gratitude to the Good Samaritan Medical Center Hospice for their loving care.