Skilled draftsman and devoted family man
Published in the April 14, 2016 edition
READING — Keith A. Berry – 84, of Reading, formerly of East Kingston, NH, Boothbay Harbor, ME and North Reading, died Thursday, April 7, 2016, at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington. He was the beloved husband of the late Maureen F. (Glynn) Berry.
Born in Swampscott, on August 6, 1931, he was the son of the late Preston and Alice (Smith) Berry. Keith was a graduate of Saugus High School and then served in the U.S. Army as a Sergeant during the Korean Conflict. After his service, he went to work for General Electric in Lynn, where he was placed in the drafting apprenticeship program. Having acquired these drafting skills, Keith continued working in this field for his entire career. He worked for a multitude of companies throughout the Metropolitan Boston Area. An extremely proficient and sought-after draftsman, Keith was never without work. Towards the end of his career he insisted on mastering the newest Technology in CAD.
Keith was a loving husband and devoted family man. He was loyal, trustworthy and faithful. Though he was extremely successful in his career, he was always humble. He had a quick wit and wonderful sense of humor. Loving the outdoors, Keith thoroughly enjoyed home projects and maintaining his beautiful properties, in particular his home in Boothbay Harbor. There, he and his wife Maureen spent many wonderful years with their many friends on their boat and dining out often. He loved his favorite pets, missing his great black lab and leaving his great companion, Riley the Maine Coon cat.
Family members include his loving son, Mark Berry and his partner, Maria Spina of North Reading and daughter, Laurel (Berry) Ford and her husband Dennis Ford of Derry, NH; grandchildren, Daniel, Patrick and Kaleigh Ford and great grandson, Oliver Ford. He was the brother of the late Marcia Savory and Lois Gallagher.
Calling hours will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Thursday, April 14 from 10 to 11:30 a.m, followed by a graveside service at Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to: American Heart Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241.
