John E. Berry

John E. Berry, 72, of Clarks Summit, passed away on Tuesday at Geisinger-Community Medical Center in Scranton. He and his wife, the former Aileen A. Hannan, would have celebrated 37 years of marriage on April 23rd.

Born in Scranton, son of the late Elmer J. and Grace Beacham Berry, he was a graduate of Abington Heights High School, Class of 1970, where he was a member of its wrestling team. John's Abington Heights wrestling legacy continued with his sons, Jason and Nathan Berry, and most recently with his grandson, Chace Berry.

Upon graduating high school, he continued to follow and support the school's teams, in addition to other local sports and his beloved Atlanta Braves. Following in his parents' footsteps, he continued ownership of the local family business, Chinchilla Variety Store. Not only his entire family, but also friends and neighbors got to experience working at the Store. The store was known for its overflowing inventory of flowers and garden supplies, and for John's quick wit, colorful and "poetic" language, and his catchphrase, "If we don't have it, you don't need it!"

John was a member of the Lake Sheridan Cottagers Association as well as its Beach Association. He enjoyed traveling, namely to Arizona where he would attend spring training baseball games. He also enjoyed doing whatever made his wife happy, including ballroom dancing classes, music concerts, tropical island vacations, and lakeside relaxations. Most of all, he enjoyed the times spent with family and friends. John's daily routine included quick check-ins to his kids and grandkids, always concluded with "I shan't aggravate ya anymore!"

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Dr. David Lohin and Dr. Michael Montella for all of their attentive care shown to John, as they were not only his doctors, but he considered them dear friends.

In addition to his wife Aileen, he is survived by sons Jason Berry and wife Mary Ellen of Glenburn, Nathan Berry and wife Colleen of Newton, Joshua Berry of Clarks Green, and their mother Gina Cochran and husband Dr. Terrence Cochran, and Michael Clementi and wife Peggy of Tucson, AZ; grandchildren Lauren Berry, Cameryn Berry, and Chace Berry; his sister, Nancy Dellert of Roanoke, VA; as well as nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Ted Dellert.

The family will receive friends on Saturday at the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home, Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore, from 12-2 p.m. immediately followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m.

Interment at Abington Hills Cemetery will take place at a later date.

Preferred memorial contributions may be made to the Chinchilla Hose Company, 113 Shady Lane Road, South Abington Township, PA 18411.

While we will all miss him terribly, as John would say, "It is what it is."