David Lyle Berry

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of David Lyle Berry in his 90th year, surrounded by his family at The Wedgewood Retirement Resort in Brockville, Ont. on Sun., April 18, 2010.
He was the beloved husband of 65 years to Freda (Shook), and loving father to son Dwaine (Pat) of Prescott, and daughters Linda (John) of Potomac, Maryland, and Sharon (Edgar) of Alexandria, Virginia. He was the adored grandfather to Evan and Erin Berry; Kathryn, Laura, and Anna MacDonald; Tara and Shannon Kittle; and Brittany and Casey Beery; and five great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by brother George, and lovingly remembered by brothers Stanley of Prescott, and Rae (June) of Brockville, and sister Marjorie (Bill) MacDonald of Iroquois.
David was born Nov. 6, 1920 and was raised in South Mountain. He was the eldest son of the late David Leroy and Eva Berry. He attended the University of Guelph (formerly known as Ontario Agricultural College), but left at the start of World War II to join the Signal Corp. Post war he returned to complete his degree, and graduated from the University of Guelph in 1947. David returned to South Mountain and joined the family business, Berryholm Poultry Farm. He purchased the business from his father and changed the name to Berry's Egg Farm, a venture that he grew over the years to be one of most successful independent egg producers in eastern Ontario. During this time, he was a partner in the development of Highland Golf in Brockville, an association sustained for 40 years. David also partnered in local real estate development projects. He was a member of the South Mountain Continuation School Board, and a president and active member of the Agricultural Society. In his later years, he and Freda embraced their mutual love of travel, touring extensively, including a round-the-world trip in 1989. Many happy times were spent with family and friends at the cottage on Lake Clear from 1959 to present day.
His legacy is the strong values and principles he passed on to his family. Honesty and integrity were core values in all he undertook throughout his life. His wit and humour endeared him to all who met him, and he had the gift of making anyone he met feel valued. Gentle, kind hearted, loving, patient, and sincere. He will be sadly missed, but we will treasure our many memories.
At David's request cremation has taken place. Friends visited the Byers Funeral Home, 2990 Church Street in South Mountain (613-989-3836) on Tues. April 20. The funeral will be held in the chapel of the funeral home today (Wed., April 21) at 11 am, followed by inurnment at Union Cemetery in South Mountain.
A special thank you to the Wedgewood Retirement Resort for their exceptional care and support during his final days. We are grateful for the compassionate nursing provided by the Palliative Care Service team of the Brockville General Hospital and Bayshore Home Health.
Those who wish may make memorial donations to the Palliative Care Service of the Brockville General Hospital or the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.