Russ Berry, 87, left Friday night December 11 for the great snowmobile trails in the next life. He was surrounded by his beloved family who had cared for him during several years of declining health.

Russ was born in Portsmouth NH in August 1922 the son of Russell Parker Sr. and Gladys (Sanderson) Berry. He graduated from Alton High School in 1940. After high school he was drafted into the US Army and served until1941. Upon return he joined his family who had all moved from Alton to Claremont.

He is survived by his wife, Alice Roberts and two sons, Doug and his wife Carol, and John and his wife Gladys. He also had two precious granddaughters, Jessica and Kasey Berry, both of Florida, three sisters, Ruth (Bunny) Dodge of York Maine, Jackie Slade of Vero Beach FL and Betty Manos of Dennis MA, and many nieces and nephews. Russ was predeceased by his wife Mae (Dole) Berry and his sister Helen Haubrich.

Russ worked at Howe Motors until he established his own business in 1951, Berry’s Auto Service in West Claremont, which he ran until 1982. He also plowed snow all around the Claremont area with a fleet of three trucks. Russ was a member of the Claremont Lions Club and received an award for 30 years of perfect attendance. He owned property on Lake Sunapee for many years where he and Mae were the hosts of many memorable parties. Waterskiing, jetskiing and swimming dominated the summer months.

Russ’ passion was snowmobiling. He was the founding father of two clubs, the Shugah Valley Snowmobile Club of Claremont and the Lake Sunapee Snowmobile Club in Newbury. He was a member of a third club, the Twin Ridge Mountaineers. Not only did he plan and work on the trail systems for the clubs but he designed and built several bridges over the Sugar River of which he was very proud. He was a master at gathering people together to work on projects and he always put many hours of volunteer time into everything he did.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations may be made to the Jimmy Fund. Russ was an avid Red Sox fan and that was his favorite charity.

Friends may call at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street in Claremont on Friday evening from 6 – 8 PM. 

A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church, at the corner of Pleasant and Glidden Street’s in Claremont on Saturday morning, December 19^th at 11:00 AM.