Ralph F. Berry died peacefully on October 16, 2026 in Beverly. He was 88. His wife of 48 years, Theresa (Beaulieu) Berry, died before him.
He was born in Salem, the son of the late Russell and Victoria (Karshik) Berry, and spent most of his life there. He worked for years at Lloyd Laboratories before joining Salem State University, where he was materials manager until he retired, a job he took real pride in. He sold at local flea markets for years, as much for the conversation as the sales, helped Theresa with her store, Berry’s Gifts in Beverly, and photographed ships. He played poker, made the trip to Foxwoods, sang along to whatever was playing and never outgrew Christmas. His brother, Robert P. Berry, and his sister, Barbara Mahoney, also died before him.
Three daughters survive him, Jean Martin in Salem, Linda LeBlanc and her husband George in Lynn, and Diane Dewing and her husband James in Manchester, N.H., along with a son, John Skelley, and his wife Patricia in Palm Bay, Fla. He also leaves ten grandchildren, Frank III and Kristina Perley, Deidra Scott, Shane Martin, Matthew, David, Christopher and Amanda LeBlanc, and Jake and Jennifer Dewing, three great-grandchildren, Alexis and Jeffrey Partaledis and Aiden Scott, and two nieces, Joanne and Robin Berry.
A funeral service and remembrance is Tuesday, October 27 at 5:30 p.m. at O’Donnell Cremations, Funerals and Celebrations, 167 Maple Street, Danvers, with visiting hours from 4 to 5:30.
Compiled from information published by O'Donnell Cremations, Funerals, Celebrations. Photograph courtesy of the family via O'Donnell Cremations, Funerals, Celebrations. This is our own summary, not the family’s obituary; read the full obituary and leave a condolence at the funeral home’s page on Legacy.com. Corrections: we will fix any error promptly.
