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Wednesday, February 10, 2010 Orono Weekly Times - 5 John Berry will be remembered for community spirit by Sue Weigand The community of Orono has suffered a sad loss with the sudden passing of John D. Berry, of Berrrybank Farm. The popular farmer and auctioneer died Friday, about a week after being hospitalized due to the onset of heart-related illness complicated by diabetes. Berry, 51, was very active in local organizations. Whether he was barbecuing at the Orono Chili Cook-off, bartending at the Orono Town Hall, or wielding the gavel at St. Saviour's annual auction, his was a familiar face to both newcomers and long-time residents. He was a member of the Orono Town Hall Board, the local Masonic Lodge, and a former board member of the Orono Co-op, and belonged to a number of farm-oriented committees. Known through-out the farming community for the large consignment auctions of farmrelated equipment over which he presided on his property on Taunton Rd., he also regularly volunteered his skills for charitable auctions. His memorial service, held Tuesday at the Morris Funeral Chapel in Bowmanville, was attended by a veritable who's who of the community, including local councillors and many prominent members of the farming and business community, including many friends and neighbours. Billy and Fran Woods, former neighbours of Berry's for 20 years, came from Apsley to attend the service. According to friends, over 600 people paid their respects at the visitation on Monday. At the funeral service on Tuesday the room was overflowing, with many having to watch the service by closed-circuit television. Friend and collegue Frank Stapleton gave an "off the cuff" but heart-felt eulogy which was wellreceived by those in attendance. A reception following the service brought a steady stream of mourners pouring into the Orono Town Hall. Berry was remembered for his community spirit and his keen sense of humour. "When he joined the Town Hall Board, he said he wanted to give back to his community, as if he hadn't already given back in so m a n y other ways," said fellow Town Hall Board member Judy Climenhage. "We're going to miss him terribly on the Board. He made it fun." The lone male on the board, Berry coined the nickname "Johnny & the Hotties" when the members entered as a team in the Chili Cook-off. Sharon McCartney, another Board member who also worked with Berry doing catering and auctions, remembered him as a very positive person. "With the Town Hall Board, he was very much the anchor. Whatever needed to be done, he did it. Everything with John was big. He was over the top. He was a giant. He's left a big hole in this community. The number of lives he's touched is remarkable," she said. "He had the sense of humour of a stand-up comic," recalled friend and neighbour David Climenhage. Berry is survived by his wife Connie Berry, his father Roy Berry, also of Orono, and his sister Dawn Berry Merriam and her husband John Merriam of Peterborough.