Robert Merrill Berry, 89, of West Hartford, beloved husband of 65 years to Barbara (Dunn) Berry, entered into eternal peace on Sunday, March 14, 2021. Son of the late Robert M. Berry Sr and Alice (List) Berry, he was born in Hartford on April 7, 1931. Robert grew up in Hartford where attended local schools and was active in the Boy Scouts, and enjoyed fly fishing with his father. In his late teens he met Barbara the love of his life before shipping off to the Korean War. He proudly served as a Medical Corpsman in the United States Navy. After his time in the service, the couple married in Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Hartford Ct 12/31/55 and flew to New York City to begin their honeymoon on New Years Eve. Bob had an aptitude for the medical field which he utilized throughout his life, earning him the nickname 'Doc' from his closest friends. During his 41 years of employment with Pratt and Whitney, he obtained his associates degree in Health Science from Manchester Community College and went on to pursue a bachelor's degree from Central Connecticut State College. He was a member of the Pratt and Whitney medical response team, and served on the Bloomfield Ambulance and the Hazardville Volunteer Fire Departments for many years. He also taught first aid and CPR to the Boy Scout Troop 44 in West Hartford. He carried on his love for fishing, sharing many fishing trips with his daughter, and was one of the original Fish and Game Wardens in Enfield. Bob was active in several organizations, including the VFW and the Springfield Marksmen Drum and Bugle Corps. He was an avid reader, and a sports fan, particularly of the Vikings, the Yankees, and the UConn Womens basketball teams. Bob was also a faithful and lifelong member of Grace Episcopal Church in Hartford where he volunteered at the Place of Grace Food Pantry. Though he contributed his time to many, he was most devoted to his family, with whom he enjoyed camping and making annual pilgrimages to the Thompson House Resort in Windham, NY where they made many lifelong friends. Bob and Barbara also made many friends at the Windsor Senior Center where they participated in many activities during their retirement.
In addition to his beloved wife Barbara, Bob is survived by his daughter Susan Berry-Hartford and her husband James of Windsor Locks, his brother-in-law, Michael J. Dunn and niece Julie Eason of GA; his sister-in-law Patricia Villa of Wethersfield; his niece and goddaughter Laura Peter of Hartford, his nephews, Gary Saccoccia of Wethersfield and Brian Saccoccia of East Hartford; his dear cousin Donna Walker of Suffield; his cousin and godson Neil Robblets of Southwick, MA, his cousin Cheryll Holland of VA, and many cousins in England. He also leaves behind his childhood and lifelong friend, Alrik Monstrom, Navy buddy Robert A. Tillman, close friend Patricia A Duffield of Rocky Hill, and his dog and best buddy, Daisy. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law Joseph Villa, his cousin Marion Robblets and her husband Fred, and his favorite niece, Maryann Yetishefsky.
Services will be private, at the convenience of the family. Donations in Bob's memory may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 55 New Park Ave, Hartford, CT 06106. Windsor Locks Funeral Home has care of the arrangements. From his beloved wife, sweetheart, and life partner Barbara, "Until we meet again."