Charles G. Berkey, (Chuck), 88, of The Villages, Florida, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2017, after an extensive illness. Born in Cleveland, Ohio on April 04, 1928 to Hermine Pauer Berkey and George Berkey, he was lovingly raised by his maternal grandparents, John and Mary Pauer.
Chuck graduated from John Adams High School in Cleveland. He was a WWII veteran, having served as a Seabee on Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands. Upon discharge, he joined the Cleveland Police Department. While there he worked in various capacities, including the Swat Team, Internal Affairs, Intelligence, and the Major Crimes Unit. After working many years as a diver on the Cleveland Police Boat, he then became a detective. He received the Award of Valor from the Cleveland Rotary Club. Chuck retired from the Cleveland Police Department in 1982. He was proud of his work as a policeman, and always had many stories to tell.
After retirement from the Police Department, Chuck worked for the Eaton Corporation in Cleveland. His job included personal security and chauffeuring for the CEO of Eaton Corporation. A job he dearly loved, Chuck had many fond memories of his time there.
While living in Ohio, Chuck enjoyed fishing, hunting, and carving.
After retiring again, Chuck relocated to the west coast of Florida. He moved to The Villages in 2004, where he enjoyed golf, carving, and the camaraderie of his many friends. Chuck was a longtime member of The Villages Buffalo Booster Club, and was instrumental in organizing their Guinness World Record Villages Golf Cart Charity Challenge Parade in 2005. Chuck was a member of North Lake Presbyterian Church in The Villages, where his ashes will be entombed in a cross facing the koi pond and waterfall.
Survivors include his ex-wife Shirley Berkey; daughter Robin Anderson (Mark); sons
Scott C. Berkey and Craig A. Berkey; and his true friend and companion for eight years, Norma Jean McCann.
A “Celebration of Life” for Chuck Berkey will take place at 11am on May 5 at the North Lake Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Chuck’s memory may be made to the Villages Buffalo Booster Club (VBBC), for a Villages High School student athlete scholarship, and mailed c/o Dick & Ellen Hoffman, 1317 Santa Maria Ave., The Villages, FL 32159.
