Andrew McLaren Berry

Andrew McLaren Berry was a young man of purpose, deliberate in his efforts to encourage others and to reach out to many who seemed alone or hurting. Whether he was lending a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on, Andrew was a good friend and tried to lighten the burdens he found others carrying. He expressed the same love and concern for his family, looking out for his parents and sisters and wanting nothing more than their happiness.

Through the summer of 1988, Paul Andrew and Mary Ruth (Lesperance) Berry were awaiting a wonderful event, the arrival of their second child. They already had a daughter, Natalie, and they looked forward to introducing her to her new sibling. Little Andrew arrived on August 23, multiplying the joy and love that already filled their home.

The Berrys lived in Plymouth for the first year and a half of Andrew's life, and then moved to Dixboro where a sister, Courtney, joined the family. The three kids filled the house with typical sibling arguments as well as plenty of laughter and love. Their family dog, Li-li go, got in on the action as well.

The Berrys were very outgoing and active, spending much of their time volunteering at their church and in the community. The caring atmosphere that stressed reaching out to others had a strong influence on Andrew. He developed a heart that was eager to help others, a habit he maintained as he grew older. He had a sense of the larger world, seeing beyond his own personal concerns, and in the midst of so much darkness and pain he had a burden to make things better.

Andrew was active and athletic, enjoying the out-of-doors and the camaraderie of participating on a team. He was excited about his senior year at Ann Arbor Huron High School , preparing to lead his cross country team as captain and help out the River Rats' track team in the spring. Besides running, singing seemed like a natural expression of his exuberance and energy and Andrew was a member of the Huron A-Capella and Chambers choirs. He also enjoyed participating in musicals.

Since both of Andrew's parents were chefs, Andrew learned early on to appreciate good food. Like most teenage boys, he was perpetually ready to eat, and being a pretty good cook himself, he didn't have to wait for someone else to fix his meals. He was persistent in his quest for food, and had been rumored to race to the pizzeria during track practice to tide himself over until dinner.

He enjoyed hanging out with his friends from school and church, and was quick to laugh and share his thoughts on movies and music. He gave up many of those opportunities, however, by volunteering time from his summers to an organization called Mountain Top, serving those who didn't have many of the privileges that he enjoyed. He hated to see anyone else suffering or in need and found satisfaction in making things better for others, even if it was as simple as sharing a smile. Often, though, it was much more than that, and he could always be counted on for strength and support in a time of need.

Andrew had hopes and dreams for the future. He wanted to become a pilot and visit other places. He looked forward to graduating and moving on to the next adventure life brought his way. He wished for good things for his friends and family. Like everyone else, Andrew had no idea when his days would be cut short. But in a very real sense, he filled his seventeen years with more goodness, more value, than some people do in seventy. He lived his life well and used the time he had graciously been given to brighten the lives of those around him. Andrew strove to make the world a better place, and his example will continue to shine and guide others to do the same.

Andrew died on Tuesday, September 6, 2005. He is survived by his loving parents; two sisters, Natalie Jacquelyn Berry and Courtney Francis Berry; grandparents, Donald Nelson Berry, Mabel Pearl Berry, and Thomas James Lesperance; and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 9, 2005, at Huron Hills Baptist Church . In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army. Please visit Andrew's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may sign his guestbook and leave a memory.