Howard John Berry

Passed away peacefully at PRHC palliative care after a short illness.

Predeceased by his parents, Harold and Dorothy Berry, survived by his sister Gayle Winslade, niece Stacie and nephew Jonathan.

Lifetime member of Peterborough Theatre Guild, member of Kawartha Artists Gallery, and the Outdoor Painters Group, inductee to Pathway of Fame -2018.

Born in Toronto, November 16 1938, he moved to Huntsville at age 7 with his parents who managed a motel there. After graduation from high school, he enrolled in the Galasso School of Design. After finishing design school, he opened a shop on Avenue Rd at the time the Okeefe centre opened, designing many special gowns for Toronto's elite including Anne Mirvish.

Howard held many jobs during his working life , including the OPP, the T. Eaton co, Peoples Credit Jewellers and a medical lab as manager, but design was always his first love, opening shops in St Catherines and Niagra-on -the-Lake.

He eventually moved to Peterborough area to care for his aging parents, and opened a shop in Charlotte Mews-Howard Berry Designs . He continued designing and working from various locations . mostly from his home, until retirement at age 80 years of age.

Living in Peterborough , he was introduced to the arts ,and became a member of the Peterborough Theatre Guild , designing award winning sets and costumes for over 30 productions. He also designed costumes for many of the fundraising productions for Showplace. Generous with his time and talent and his organizing skills, he volunteered with Hospice in its early beginnings , for the Festival of Trees fashion shows and a fundraiser for The Mount Community Centre which showcased his life's work, encompassing his art, his fashion designs, and his theatre work. He also designed skating costumes for some of Canada's top national competitors.

Howard travelled extensively during his lifetime, visiting Italy, Hong Kong, Portugal, Barbados, Cuba, Scotland, and several times to England to visit friends, always on the lookout for interesting pieces of art or that special bolt of fabric, even on holidays. He loved colour , so he sought it out wherever he went, bringing home many unusual and beautiful pieces, that often were incorporated into his designs.

At Howards request, there will be no service; aquamation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held sometime in May, when the weather is warmer and we can gather outside.

A special thank you to his friends , Community Care, and the Palliative care unit at PRHC for all their excellent care and love showed to Howard during his illness.

If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Palliative Care unit at PRHC, through the Ashburnham Funeral home.