John George Berger

John George Berger, 88, passed away peacefully at his home in Sonoma with his family by his side. John was a resident of Sonoma since 1959. John was born August 4, 1929 in Oakland, CA. He grew up in San Anselmo attending St Anselm Grammar School, St. Ignatius High School in San Francisco, next attending College of Marin before graduating with a Mechanical Engineering Degree from the University of Santa Clara. He started his engineering career working for Link Belt before retiring from Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, CA where he retired as the Head of the Structural Design Division after 35 years of service. At Mare Island John used his engineering skills to help modify submarines so that they could allow divers in and out while submerged. Much of his work was classified. In his spare time he developed several homes, one of which he moved from the West American Bank location in Downtown Sonoma to Verano Avenue. This home is currently listed as a Sonoma Historical Landmark. John was staying at the Sierra Club Lodge skiing with friends when he met the love of his life, Evelyn Benson. To pursue her, he used his charm as "he drove her to church." In 1959 they married, settled in Sonoma and started a family. John's favorite things were his family, backpacking and fishing in the Sierras where he would take his boys on 100 plus mile backpack trips. He loved working in his shop, working in his amazing garden and walking his dog, Daisy. He was a wonderful husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather to his wife Evelyn and family John and Allison, Chris and Rhonda, Mike and Rosie, and Robert and Courtney, and his grandchildren Camille, Josh, Steven, Austin, Jerry, Christopher, Jacob, Camryn, Isabella and Grace. He was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn, and his parents, William and Johanna. John was a man of his own terms. His diligence and intelligence will be missed by all who were lucky enough to spend time with him. Friends are invited to attend a celebration of John's life at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 4, 2017 at St. Leo's Catholic Church, 601 West Aqua Caliente Road, Sonoma, CA. 95476. A private interment will be held at a later date. The family request that those wishing to remember John make a contribution to Hospice by the Bay 190 West Napa Street, Sonoma CA. 95476 or Friends of Turkana P.O. Box 135, Sonoma, CA. 95476 or Pets Life Line, 19686 Eighth Street East, Sonoma, CA. 95476 Service Saturday, November 4, 2017 11:00 AM St. Leo's Catholic Church 600 West Aqua Caliente Road Sonoma, CA. 95476

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