John "Jeff" Frederick Berger

On Saturday, August 14, 2021, John Frederick Berger, better known as "Jeff" passed away peacefully at home in Salisbury with his family by his side.  He was born January 12, 1948 in New Haven, CT, the son of George N. Berger and Elizabeth Mary Grave. 

John graduated from Newington High School and Leicester Junior College in 1970 and shortly after joined the United States Army Reserves where he served our country from 1971 until 1996.  He served in the last railway unit in the US, hence his love of trains. He served as photographer for his unit,  as well as  worked directly on the railroads including Sunny Point, North Carolina.  John spent over 40 years as an active volunteer firefighter and EMT.  His last years were spent working at Dan Nicholas Park in Salisbury, as a train and caroussel operator doing what he did best: making children smile.  Jeff loved his country and his family deeply.  He was not without a sense of humor.  Every moment with Jeff was likely punctuated with jokes and quips designed solely to make the listener smile.  His volunteer career, in his efforts to be the loving, caring person he was,  included being a bona fide clown who entertained kids at parades and other activities many, many times.

John was predeceased by his parents.  He is survived by his wife Laurel Kathleen Chandler, his son James Richard Fletcher, his wife Gwen and his children Zachary James Fletcher and wife Crystal Morgan, their children Josie Eden and Evie June and his daughter Emily Ann Golden, her husband Jacob and their son Archer.  David Michael Fletcher, his wife Lori and their children Ethan and Emma.  His daughter, Elizabeth Berger Alps and her husband Brandon, shared children Mary-Catherine Hope Berger, Westin Alps, Abigael Chandler Aycock, Oliver John Alps, James Alan Alps.  He is also survived by his beloved "3rd son", Kevin Megno, Jr. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Church, 375 Lumen Christie Lane, Salisbury on Friday August 20, 2021 at 11:00 am with burial following at Sacred Heart Cemetary.

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