Emil Berro

Emil C. Berro was a true Renaissance man, multi-talented, focused, and willing to take risks. He learned about hard work as a young boy and grew to channel his energy in creative and productive ways. His professional demeanor earned him the confidence and respect of others. He was also known for being warm and generous, willing to laugh at himself.

Born in Wyandotte, Michigan, on October 24, 1951, Emil was the third of four children born to Aloysius and Wilma (Freeman) Berro. His big brother Aloysius and sister Mary Jane kept an eye on him when he was young. Later they all watched out for Edward and filled their home in Taylor with laughter, arguments, and fun. Emil's father worked hard as a sheet metal worker in the shipyards. His mother, a Canadian citizen, maintained their home. Aloysius and Wilma lived out their Catholic faith and wanted to raise their children with the same beliefs and values. Emil attended St. Alfred Elementary School and graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes High School in River Rouge in 1969.

Unlike anyone else in his immediate family, Emil had bright red hair with a fiery personality to match. His siblings teased him by telling him he was adopted. When Emil set his mind to something, he didn't quit until he was finished. He was energetic and a hard worker. In the early 1960s, Emil's dad lost his job when his company folded. At the age of nine, Emil worked two paper routes and gave the money to his parents to help with finances. That spirit of giving and a strong work ethic remained with him throughout his life.

As a young person, Emil was passionate about his interests. He had aspirations of becoming a marine biologist and collected several unique specimens as pets. There was a four-foot Cayman alligator named Charlie, an assortment of snapping turtles, several fish, and a large iguana named "The Old Man" that his dad insisted was named after him. He loved music and played the guitar in a rock band during high school. Their group took first place in an amateur band competition at Cobo Hall in Detroit.

Just prior to his high school graduation, Emil was on his senior trip to Boblo Island. While there, he met a girl named Christine Walas. They got along well, but went their separate ways after the trip. They met again while attending Wayne State University and became good friends. Their friendship grew into love. They decided that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. The couple was engaged for two years before marrying on July 20, 1973, at St. Mark's Catholic Church in Warren.

Following graduation from Wayne State, Emil went to work for Farmer Jack Foods. He later took a job with the Upjohn Corporation, now owned by Pfizer, and moved with Christine to Kalamazoo. Emil started out working as a bench chemist. He earned his MBA from Western Michigan University and advanced through the quality assurance department, earning a promotion to Project Manager. He was a key member managing the clinical trials of Pfizer's Zyvok drug. He traveled extensively for the company and had recently spent much of his time in Manhattan and Germany. October 31 of this year would have been his thirty-year anniversary with the company.

Emil and Christine lived on Newhaven Street in Portage for more than twenty years. They made a home with their two precious children, Adam and Alissa. Emil was a loving and dedicated father. He and Adam took a memorable trip with the Boy Scouts to the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, taking in the remarkable scenery from the top of a mountain. They also backpacked the pristine wilderness of Isle Royale. Every night Emil tucked Alissa in with a kiss on each cheek, lovingly wishing her Bon Nuit. The Berro's family vacations sometimes spanned the globe. Emil and Christine were particularly fond of Rome. They also enjoyed sailing on their twenty-two foot Catalina on Gull Lake. Every Saturday and Sunday was Emil's time to fix breakfast. He always made sure their dog Sabrina got a pancake as well.

Emil retained his fascination with animals, most recently caring for some "peach face love birds" as well as salt and fresh water fish in indoor aquariums and outdoor ponds. He loved the Bouvier des Flandres breed of dog. His abilities also included an extraordinary green thumb. Emil made his own wine from the grapes he grew in his backyard. He also tended a greenhouse and a large floral garden and served as a past president of a state wide Garden Club. He loved tinkering with sports cars and even built his own, a Dino Ferrari.

That was not the end of his skills, however. He was also good with his hands and could fix or install almost anything. He had completed most of the finish work on their Portage home and had been in the process of remodeling their Gull Lake home. He had used his abilities to serve with Habitat for Humanity. Another way that Emil expressed his enthusiasm and love for life was through singing. He took voice lessons to continue to hone his natural talent. He performed with the Bach Fest Singers and the Kalamazoo Singers. He was also able to fulfill an impressive personal goal when he sang on the Miller Auditorium Stage with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. He gave of his talent to his church, singing in the choir at St. Thomas More. He enjoyed singing songs after the style of Frank Sinatra.

Emil wanted to live life to the fullest and set many goals for himself. He created a list of the "Big Things" that he wanted to accomplish. His stubborn determination and sense of adventure drove him to complete them, including riding a bicycle one hundred miles in a day, learning how to sail and sailing competitively, singing with the Kalamazoo Symphony, sleeping on a deserted island, climbing a mountain, and building a sports car.

Emil is survived by his dear wife; his children, Adam Berro of Austin, Texas, and Alissa Berro of Gull Lake; a sister, Mary Jane Petrick of Rochester Hills, Michigan, and a brother, Edward Berro of Beavercreek, Ohio; and nieces and nephews.

Emil passed away on Wednesday, September 8, 2004, in Glasgow, Scotland. His parents preceded him in death. Emil was fifty-two.

Friends will be received on Sunday, September 19, from 2:00 - 4:00 PM and 6:00 - 8:00 PM at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, Stadium Drive, west of US 131. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home on Sunday evening at 6:00 PM. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, September 20, at 10:00 AM at St. Thomas More Parish. Cremation will follow the mass with interment at Yorkville Cemetery. To read Emil's complete life story, share a memory, send flowers, or make a memorial contribution to Portage District Library, Bach Fest Singers, or Portage Children's Library Endowment Fund, please visit his personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com.

Out of all of Emil's successes and activities, he took the greatest pleasure in his family. He wanted only the best for them and leaves them with memories of his love, his commitment to their well-being, and his hope for their future.