Edward Albert Berger Jr.

Edward Albert Berger, 84, of Mobile, Alabama, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, May 4, 2025. His loving wife Helen, and children Mark and Andy, were at his side as he went to be with our Lord.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents Edward A. Berger, Sr., and LaRue (Johnson) Berger; brother Charles Edward Berger; sister Patricia Berger Dunn; and grandson Kelley Campbell Berger.

Ed is survived by his loving wife Helen (Campbell) Berger; son Mark and wife Wendi Berger; daughter Andrea and husband Terry Greer; grandchildren Russell Berger and wife Katherine Berger, Claire Berger, Carson Greer and Harper Greer; and great-grandchildren Campbell Berger and Barrett Berger.

Ed was born March 9, 1941, in Mobile. He graduated from Murphy high school in 1959. He joined the United States Navy in 1960. He served in the submarine force on board the USS Odax (SS-484) for two years and then spent another year as a recruiter. Ed received his honorable discharge from the Navy in May 1964.

Ed joined the Mobile Fire Department in 1964, when the department changed to a 56-hour work week. He was promoted to Driver in October 1969, then promoted to Captain in the same year. Ed was the first of the 56-hour work week hires to attain the rank of Captain. Ed was promoted to District Chief in September of 1978 – again, the first of the 56-hour work week hires to achieve the rank of District Chief. He was promoted to Chief of the Mobile Fire Department in April 1989. While serving as Chief, Ed was also elected president of the Southeastern Fire Chiefs Association in July 1993 and president of the Alabama Fire Chiefs Association August 1993. Ed retired as Chief of the Mobile Fire and Rescue Department in 1999. In September 2012, Fire Station 28 in Theodore, AL, was named in honor of Chief Ed Berger’s service to the City of Mobile.

Ed received his degree in Fire Administration from the University of Memphis and was licensed as an emergency medical technician (EMT) - one of the first licensed EMTs in the state of Alabama. As Chief, Ed was instrumental in the Mobile Fire Department, adding transport to their services and renaming the service to Mobile Fire and Rescue Department. At that time, many municipalities were hesitant to make similar changes, though this has since become the norm.

Ed – known to many as Chief Berger or Bubba – enjoyed many hobbies. He played basketball and softball in the Mobile Fire Department leagues. He was a masterful self-taught jazz pianist who loved playing his baby grand piano for anyone who was there to listen. He was a talented woodworker and made beautiful handmade furniture in his home shop. He was an accomplished sailor who enjoyed being captain of his own sailboat. He was an avid reader and enjoyed fishing and traveling. Most of all, Ed enjoyed spending time with his beloved wife Helen, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and his many friends and colleagues. Ed was dearly loved, and he will be dearly missed.

Visitation for Ed will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Pine Crest Funeral Home on Dauphin Island Parkway in Mobile. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, with interment in Pine Crest Cemetery immediately following.