Russell W. Berkey

ADAMS CENTER — Russell W. Berkey, 46, Adams Center, died Wednesday November 18, 2009, at Samaritan Medical Center.

Mr. Berkey was born in Watertown June 7, 1963 a son of Charles and Virginia Sprague Berkey. He graduated from South Jefferson Central School in 1982. On September 15, 1984 he married Tina Augustine at Holy Family Church with Reverend Garvin Demarus officiating. In September they celebrated their twenty-fifth anniversary with family and friends. Mr. Berkey was employed at Rod's Big M in Adams. He then began his twenty three year career with South Jefferson Central School as a custodian and then became a senior custodian. Mr. Berkey was a communicant of Saint Anthony's Church. He had a passion for refinishing hardwood floors and was a collector of baseball card and coins. He was always there to put a smile on your face and joke around with you.

Surviving besides his wife and mother are: a daughter Heather, Adams Center, two brothers and a sister in law, Jeff and Donna, Vermont, Brian, Adams, two sisters and a brother in law, Audrey and Tim Jerome, Adams Center, Louanne Berkey, Adams, his father in law Peter Augustine, Watertown, a brother in-law and his wife, Angelo and Kris, Carthage and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. His father Charles on July 4, 2007, two uncles Robert and Thomas Berkey and a dear cousin Elizabeth Buddenhagen on August 18, 2008 all died before him.

Calling hours will be Friday from 4 to 8 pm at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A prayer service will be held Saturday at 8:45 am the funeral home with a funeral mass will be at 9:30 am at Saint Anthony's Church with Reverend Donald Robinson officiating. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Relay for Life to either the JCC team, c/o Rachael Riordan, 1220 Coffeen Street, Watertown, NY 13601 or to the Dance World Team, c/o Michelle Gillette, 680 Mill Street, Watertown, NY 13601.