In loving memory of

Sterling Price Berry
April 29, 1925 - October 24, 2020

Sterling Price Berry was born in Detroit in 1925. He spent summers on the Lake St. Clair Flats watching freighters go by, igniting his lifelong love of the Great Lakes and Great Lakes shipping. Sterling graduated from Grosse Pointe High School with the class of 1943. He served in the United States Navy in WWII and graduated from Northwestern University in 1950.

Sterling married Anne Louise Hinchman in 1959, sharing 61 years with his beloved 'Anniebelle'. Together, they raised five daughters: Julia Berry, Ginna Ericksen (Matt), Martha Long, Barbara Pappas (William), and Melissa Hibdon (Terry).

He was the proud grandfather of Nick Ericksen, Melissa Ericksen Burns (Will), Andie Long, Peter Sterling Ericksen, Emily Ericksen Johnson (Alex), Stephanie Long, Theodore Sterling Pappas, and Sterling Hibdon. He was honorary grandfather to Alejandro Lleras (Leah) and Mark Holley (Karen), and great-grandfather to their children Maddie and Olivia Lleras, and Charlotte Holley. He was the beloved uncle of Ken Berry (Connie Nassios), Judith Garver (Patrick), Emma Meston (Jim), Sara Howell (Brad), Carolyn Gray (Dan), David Hinchman (Pauline), Ted Hinchman and many grand nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Tommie and Annie Berry, beloved uncle Duncan Pirie, brother Douglas Berry, sister-in-law Mary Berry, nephew Thomas Berry, brother-in-law Ted Hinchman, and niece Nancy Hinchman.

Sterling retired in 1988 from a career in human resources management, where he was widely respected by labor and administration alike. Retirement allowed him to devote more time to his many passions. Chief among those was Great Lakes shipping, sharing his enthusiasm and expertise through his website: www.greatlakesvesselhistory.com and his affiliations with: the Marine Historical Society of Detroit, which honored him with the Distinguished Service Award for 70 years of membership and service on the MHSD Advisory Council; Great Lakes Maritime Institute; Lake Superior Marine Museum Association; Dossin Great Lakes Museum; and the Toronto Marine Historical Society.

Sterling always had a song in his heart and a pitch pipe in his pocket. His musical resume included: Choirmaster at St. Philip and St. Steven Episcopal Church, 48-year member of Society for Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America (Barbershop Harmony Society), Rackham Community Choir, Senior Men's Club of Grosse Pointe Choir, Director of the Good News Gospel Singers, St. Michael's Episcopal Church Choir, American House Choir, and most special to him: founder and leader of the Berry Chorale. His participation in the Christ Church Chorale sparked a passion for travel, as he performed throughout Europe over the course of almost 20 years.

Sterling was devoted to service to others. He was always ready with a greeting of "Hello, Friend!" as he delivered Meals on Wheels for 29 years, served at soup kitchens, worked alongside Anne in advocacy for public schools, helped adults learn to read, and worked as a volunteer docent at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum.

A private memorial service will be held. Sterling will be laid to rest at Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit. Memorial contributions can be made in his name to: Harmony Foundation International, Chippewa County Historical Society, or the Dossin Great Lakes Museum (a division of the Detroit Historical Society).

Arrangements have been entrusted to Chas. Verheyden, Inc.

Tributes

Gayle Berry Kent wrote on Sep 9, 2021:

"I just found out about Sterling. He was my Dad's 1st cousin. Sterling, Anne and daughter Julia came to one of our Berry Family Reunions in 1999. We all enjoyed visiting with them. Mom, especially enjoyed it. She and Dad had visited with Sterling's family in Michigan in 1939. Sterling and I continued with correspondence and phone calls over the years since 1999 working on the Berry family tree. He was such a nice person! He will be missed! Gayle Berry Kent"

sara fischer hodges wrote on Oct 29, 2020:

"Deepest condolences to the Berry family. My parents, Marj and Carl Fischer (both deceased now) were friends of Mr. and Mrs. Berry and I know they were very fond of them. I just happened across this and wanted to send condolences from my sister, Leslie, and myself. Sincerely, Sara Fischer Hodges "

Laurie Kelley wrote on Oct 29, 2020:

"My prayers for the Berry family on your loss. Mr. Berry was a sweet man and both he and Mrs. Berry were part of so many Grosse Pointe childhoods through all of their activities with church, school, choirs, girl scouts and their beloved girls. How many wonderful memories you must have of his long, well lived life! Laurie (Smith) Kelley "

Scott Hanoian wrote on Oct 29, 2020:

"So sorry to hear this! Sterling was a beloved member of Chorale and one of the main reasons I?m a musician today. Not only was he the choir director of the first church I served in, he was the one who mentioned this "little camp in the north woods" known as Interlochen. Because of his encouragement, I spent my high school years there and went on to study music in college. I will miss him a great deal, but will remember him fondly!"

MARILYN P SICKLESTEEL wrote on Oct 27, 2020:

"My sincere condolences to Anne and to the entire Berry family. Sterling was one of the nicest, friendliest, and optimistic people I have ever met. I do believe that there were no strangers in Sterling's life. We met in the 1980's when we both sang in the Rackham Choir. There were opportunities to travel together for choir trips with Fred DeHaven. These trips also provided the opportunity to also meet others in the Berry clan. A nicer family will be tough to find. We also sang together in the Christ Church Grosse Pointe Chorale. I uploaded two photos from January 2018 when we attended the farewell gathering for Clarence Bennett before his move out of state. Clarence also sang and traveled with Fred DeHaven. I'm sure that Sterling and Clarence were the only two to go on every trip. I bet that there are new choirs and barbershop quartets already in the heavens. Sterling will be greatly missed. Love and hugs. Marilyn"

Mark Holley wrote on Oct 27, 2020:

"My thoughts are with all of you. The world lost one of the kindest souls I have met. ?Well, Hello Sir!? will always ring in my ear when I think of him. "