Richard B. Berg

Richard Berg - known to almost everyone as Richie - succumbed (gave up the ghost) to leukemia at the age of 61 on December 24, 2015, at his home in Ithaca. He was first and foremost a loving partner and devoted father. He was also a successful entrepreneur, activist, and enthusiastic participant in the local community. He was a treasured friend of many.

Richie grew up on Long Island, NY. He attributed his commitment to family as well as his generosity and entrepreneurial spirit to his father, Sol. He credited his mother, Miriam for his sense of humor and appreciation of the arts.

Richie landed in Ithaca when he attended Ithaca College in 1973. He became involved in the anti-nuclear movement and went on to become a core leader of Ecology Action and the Community Self-Reliance Center, which promoted sustainability long before it became fashionable. He was a tireless and skilled strategist and loyal member of the County Democratic Committee, helping many others to run for office (usually successfully) and was elected to Common Council in 1989. He also served on the Board of Public Works and the GreenStar Co-op Council.

Richie's first job was as a teen-aged Fuller Brush salesman. He went on to work as a bagel baker, bookseller, bus driver, cook at Cabbagetown Café, and concert promoter of artists including Arlo Guthrie, Bruce Cockburn and Leo Kottke. In 1982, Richie and Alex Skutt opened Ithaca's first video store, Video Ithaca, a great success. Most recently, he worked for the Ithaca City School District teaching and mentoring.

Far and away, the two most significant events in Richie's life were meeting Lori Yelensky in 1980, and the birth of their daughter, Hanalei, 18 years later - the two loves of his life. Lori was his devoted partner with whom he shared the adventure of parenting, gardening, gourmet cooking, and traveling, amongst many things. To anyone who would listen, Richie shared his tremendous joy and pride in Hanalei's academic achievements, her creative talents, and a wisdom that went well beyond her years. Richie knew he had hit the jackpot with Lori and Hanalei - he recently quoted Lou Gehrig who said: "You have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."

Friends and family recall Richie's unbridled sense of fun and adventure, his passion for Bruce Springsteen, and his flair for hosting lavish, community events. His recovery from a near-fatal bicycle accident in 2005 and subsequent return to rigorous biking inspired everyone who knew him.

Richie is survived by his parents, Sol and Miriam Berg, his sister Diane, his brother David, his wife, daughter, and his three cats: Skye, Riley, and Sammy, as well as many dear nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was predeceased by his sister Linda.

Richie will be remembered for his big heart, his relentless sense of humor and "his little nameless unremembered acts of kindness and love." (Wordsworth)

He has left this earth better than he found it, and has gifted the planet with a life of true love.

There will be a private funeral and burial at Lakeview Cemetery and a public memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the
Friendship Donations Network http://friendshipdonations.org/donate/ or the Finger Lakes Land Trust http://fllt.org/donate/.