Richard “Ted” N. Berry Jr.

EUSTIS – Our Dad, Ted (Richard N. Berry Jr.) of Maya Beach Belize and Eustis, Maine died of natural causes in Belize on April 16, 2024, at the age of 82. Ted was born in 1942 to Katherine Bunker Berry Pew of Calais, Maine and Richard N. Berry of New Hampshire.

Ted grew up in Cape Elizabeth and had a fun filled and adventurous childhood. He attended schools in Cape, Hebron Academy, University of Maine and earned a MBA from Michigan State University.

Before graduate school, Ted had joined the US Army, graduated OCS, became an Airborne Ranger and was discharged as a Captain. After returning to Maine he developed Communications Inc, a marine electronics business based in Portland. The business sold and serviced navigational and radio equipment to the commercial marine industry along the New England coast. As technology evolved, he changed the services to land based radio communications. When he purchased a tower in greater Portland, he renamed the company Blackstrap Tower LLC. Ted developed and operated numerous towers throughout Maine; he spent countless hours driving and working on towers with Scruffy (the family mutt) by his side and meeting with and enjoying his colleagues.

MK and Ted raised their two daughters and several pets in the beautiful woods of Freeport and enjoyed summers cruising aboard their boat Raven then later the Caribou. Cruising the coast of Maine was a lifelong passion and many happy hours were spent exploring and enjoying its treasures with family and friends. Ted and family also spent time in Eustis at the family camp, where he worked at Rangely Power Company in his younger years. Eustis was Ted’s home while he was stateside every summer over the past 15 years and this community will miss his presence. Ted passed on his passion for the Western Mountains of Maine to his children and grandchildren.

Ted served on the Board of Maine Audubon Society and as a commodore of the Harraseeket Yacht Club in Freeport. After retirement he moved to Belize and built a residence in Maya Beach where he lived for many years before he died.

He was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Andrew Berry.

Ted is survived by his brother, Tom Berry of Boothbay; two daughters, Amanda Berry (Ben Willauer) and Lesley Berry Taisey (Ben Taisey); and the children’s mother and business partner, Mary K. Berry and her husband Dave Cluchey. MK and Dave remained friends of Ted’s until his death. Ted also has a niece and two nephews; and four grandchildren, Lulu and Ruby Willauer and Madelyn and Rylan Taisey.

We will remember our dad for teaching us to change our own car oil, identify trees, drive all sorts of off road vehicles, captain boats, love Maine and Belize and to prioritize adventure. Dad, may you have fair winds and following seas. Lovingly, Amanda & Lesley

A small private celebration of life will be planned at a later date this summer.

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