Edward M. Berger

BERGER- Edward M. of Canton, formerly of Sharon, on June 30, 2016. Born in 1924 to Max and Jennie Berger. He is survived by his wife, Dorris Reeves Berger, his children: Marci Berger Nemhauser and husband Robert, Stephen Berger and wife Patricia Russell Berger, and Barbara Berger Jackson and husband Berne, his grandchildren: Jennifer Nemhauser and husband Matt, Brian Nemhauser and wife Rachel, Seth Berger and wife Heather, Jenessa Berger, Catherine Jackson and his Great-Grandchildren Isaac Nemhauser, Nathaniel Nemhauser, Russell Berger and Cora Berger. Ed was the brother of the late Milton Berger, Blanche Berenberg, and Irene Garber. Edward graduated from Sharon High School in 1942. He entered Harvard College in 1942 but left to join the Army Air Force after his freshman year. He served as a Second Lieutenant as a  navigator on B-17 aircrafts. Following the war, he returned to Harvard and graduated in 1947. Following his graduation, Ed went to work for the family business, a food manufacturing company. “ My father was my mentor and my friend during all those years.” The company was sold in 1966 and he stayed on as the plant manager until 1974. Over the next eighteen years, Ed did consulting but mainly focused on his garden, his tennis game, Dorris and his many charities. He was a driving force in the creation of the Striar Jewish Community Center. He served as the co-chair of the original capital campaign to build the center and served as its first President. He was also active in Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) and is a former vice chair of the annual campaign. Ed also served his community of Sharon, MA where he was elected to the School Committee and Sharon Finance Committee. He was also a founding member of Sharon’s Friends of the Sharon Council on Aging. He is lovingly remembered by his family as well as all of his nieces and nephews and friends. His willingness to help people and to be involved in his community were hallmarks of his kind and special nature. He always had a ready smile, especially if you were talking with him about his beloved Red Sox or Patriots or Celtics! Friends knew not to call during a game! He loved the garden that his parents had started and that he continued. He and Dorris could be found out there weeding, watering and replanting. They found enjoyment in this shared endeavor. Once he and Dorris moved to Orchard Cove in Canton, he took special delight in hearing about and being with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Thanksgiving was a special family time where everyone gathered to celebrate together. Each child and grandchild and great grandchild has loving memories of being with Ed and Dorris. He will be deeply missed. Graveside services at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham Street, Sharon, on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at 10:45 am (please gather at the Administration Building). Following services, family and friends are invited to Orchard Cove, 1 Del Pond Drive, Canton. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Temple Israel, 125 Pond Street, Sharon, MA  02067 or Friends of the Sharon Council on Aging, 219 Massapoag Ave., Sharon, MA  02067.