Richard C. Berry

Richard (Dick) Curtis Berry, 90, of Sarasota, FL and Vestal, NY, passed away peacefully at home with his daughters by his side on July 23rd. He was predeceased by his first wife, Betty; his parents, Cecil R. and Lena B. Berry; brothers, Cecil R. Jr. and Douglas Berry. Dick is survived by his daughters, Beth Berry (Annapolis, MD), and Ann (Michael) Amyot (Mebane, NC); his grandsons Nathan and Corey Amyot (Mebane, NC), and his longtime companion Nancy Checchia (Sarasota, FL). Dick graduated from Admiral Farragut Academy and New York University with a degree in Banking and Finance and received a master’s degree from the Stonier School of Banking. He was a Lieutenant JG in the Navy during the Korean War. He was a 2nd generation Banker, following the footsteps of his father, who was a bank President. He specialized as a Trust Officer, managing and administering Estates. His financial acumen was without par. He taught many how to invest, manage money and handle life changes with practicality and grace. As a young man, Dick enjoyed sailing, home projects, and his family. He was a wonderful father, always available to advise his daughters on how to navigate life. He taught Beth how to sail, attended horse shows, and went to Ann’s soccer games. He loved celebrating holidays, especially Christmas. He always had a project going. He designed and built a lakefront home. After retirement, he split his time between Siesta Key in Sarasota, FL, and his home since 1968 in Vestal, NY. He enjoyed spoiling his Basset Hounds, watching Penn State Football, and visits with his daughters and grandsons. He spent numerous summer weeks in Annapolis, taking his grandsons to sailing camp. Driving between Vestal and Sarasota, each Spring and Fall, he stopped in both Maryland and North Carolina, with a ritual of dog walks, restaurants and activities in each town. He made many friends during walks with his dogs over the last 30 years of his life. His sense of humor, quick wit, and pragmatism will be missed by all who knew him.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday at 2 pm at the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott. Burial will be held privately in Evergreen Cemetery, Brooklyn, PA. The family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home Thursday from 1 pm until Service time at 2 pm. In addition to flowers, expressions of sympathy in his memory may be made to Lourdes Hospice, 4102 Old Vestal Road, Vestal, NY 13850.