Gerry Berger, age 78, of Amelia Island, FL passed away on Sunday May 28, 2017 after a long struggle with Alzheimer�s. He passed peacefully at Amelia Island�s Warner Hospice Center surrounded by family.

Gerry was born to Col. Harvey and Clara Belle Berger, the oldest of three boys, raised in California�s Bay Area. Following high school he entered the Army where he was stationed in Germany as a Paratrooper and Military Policeman. Following his stint in the Army he returned to California where he went on to complete a Masters in Finance from the University of California, Berkley. In 1964 he married Karen Gudmundson of Bellingham WA, followed by the births of his two children, daughter Hillary and son Jason.

Following his graduation he began working for Kaiser Aluminum where he eventually became a senior executive of Kaiser Trading Company, a division of Kaiser that handled the sourcing and sales of minerals and ores needed for aluminum manufacturing. In 1979 the family relocated to Ann Arbor MI where he started his own company, North American Minerals Corporation.

Gerry lived life to the fullest, travelling to over 100 countries around the world and educating bartenders across the globe on the best way to make a Manhattan. He was a connoisseur of good food, good wine and a good time. He danced every dance and never let the truth get in the way of a good story. He was an eagle scout and an avid golfer, skier, sailor and outdoorsman. He spent years donating his time and expertise on non-profit boards across the country.

Gerry was preceded by his brother Tom and is survived by his wife Karen, his brother Harvey of California, his children Hillary of London and Jason of Des Moines, his daughter-in-law Maureen (Minnick) Berger and his three grandchildren, Ethan, Sophia and Liam; as well as numerous Bergers, Fries and Happy Meals.

Services will be held for Gerry at 10:30am, on Monday, June 26 2017 at Walkers Landing on the Amelia Island Plantation. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Alzheimer�s Research or Warner Community Hospice in Fernandina Beach, FL.