Obituary of John W. Berry

John W. Berry, Jr., 61, Freehold, N.J., passed on Sunday, June 4, 2017, from cancer. John was born February 12, 1956, in Syracuse, N.Y. and was a resident of the world, also known as “the road” until he became a family man in the late-80s and moved them to New Jersey to be closer to relatives. He worked as a professional trumpet player for forty plus years playing with world renown artists such as Glen Frey, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Tom Petty, Stevie Wonder, Scott Hamilton, Ricki Lee Jones, Ann Margaret, Bruce Willis, and Wayne Cochran and was a founding member of LA’s Jack Mack and the Heart Attack. In addition to his passion for music, he was also a Manager of various Macy’s stores in the tri-state area for nearly 20 years before his early retirement in 2016. He is survived by his wife, Sheri Berry; his two sons & daughter-in-law, Matthew Berry and Michael & Karisa Berry; his father, John W. Berry Sr.; his mother-in-law, Frances Polhemus; his father-in-law and wife, Salvatore & Loretta Naimo; two brothers, Christopher Berry & wife Connie and Timothy Berry; two sisters, Jennifer Berry and Elizabeth Davis and husband Scott; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Michael & Geri Phillips; seven nephews, Dennis, Mitchell, A.J., Danny, Chad, Jaden and Leland; four nieces, Melanie, Isabella, Rachel and Callie, as well as numerous cousins and other family members. He is preceded in death by his mother, Paula Berry; father-in-law Harry Polhemus and sister-in-law Barbara Naimo Robinson. A private service will be held for the immediate family and they will receive friends at the Berry’s home on Thursday, June 8, from 6pm to 9pm. The family of John wishes to extend sincere gratitude to: Doctor Bruno Fang for his unwavering care; the medical staff of RCCA and Robert Wood Johnson; Kathleen Cronin, RN; Debra & Barbara of Grace Healthcare; Higgins Funeral Home; Father Michael of St. Rose of Lima; and dear friends Lynn & Rollie, Cheryl, Tommy, Wayne, Rich, Scott and many others. Contributions in memory of John can be made via GoFundMe at https://www.gofundme.com/john-berrys-oncology-bills