John Sarsfield “Jack” Berry

John Sarsfield Berry, a 13-year resident of Sisters, passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 14, at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend. He was 78.

Born on May 17, 1927 in Miami, Florida, he was raised in Hartford and Manchester, Connecticut. Known to friends and family as “Jack,” he served in the United States Navy in 1946 on the USS Iowa as a radio operator. He was part of a contingent of Americans called into service to relieve servicemen returning home from World War II. He shipped out from Bremerton, Washington and his tour of duty included a trip to Japan. After approximately one year’s service, he attended St. Michael’s College in Winooski, Vermont, graduating in 1950 with a BA in English.

Jack embarked on a long career in the personal lines claims operation of what was then called Aetna Life & Casualty (now known as Aetna), assuming a number of management duties in Boston, Chicago, Newark and in the home office in Hartford. He retired in 1985.

After retirement he resumed his career as a general manager in the Rocky Hill, Connecticut, office of AIG and then for 10 years he worked as a claims consultant in the risk management practice of Deloitte & Touche. He and his wife moved to Sisters in 1993.

Jack was an active member in a number of local civic and religious organizations. He was a past president of the local chapter of Kiwanis, a board member of the Sisters Jazz Festival and a finance and pastoral committee member of St. Edward the Martyr Catholic Church.

Jack will be deeply missed by family which includes his wife of 48 years, Gwen, of Sisters; son John Jr. of Sisters; daughter Michelle Berry Helitzer of Simsbury, Connecticut; son-in-law Jonathan Helitzer; twin granddaughters Gretchen and Kirsten; two step-grandchildren Adam and Eliane Helitzer; stepson Scott Christiansen of Gladstone; and a brother, Tom of Reno, Nevada. He was predeceased by a brother William and sister Mary.

A mass of Christian burial was held Friday, March 17, at St. Edward the Martyr Catholic Church in Sisters.

Donations may be made to the Sisters Kiwanis Foundation, c/o Bill Duehren, PO Box 1642, Sisters, OR 97759.