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Facts and Events
About Al Berger
Alfred J. "Al" Berger was born 1917 in Bronx County, New York, the son of Isidore Berger (1876-1952) and his wife Charlotte (abt. 1881-bef. 1940), both immigrants from Hungary that came to America in 1914. Al's father Isidore worked for the New York Central Reilroad for many years as a Tinsmith, and Al also joined his father at N.Y. Central R.R. and was working as a "Tinsmith Helper", which is confirmed in the 1940 U.S. Census. Shortly thereafter, Al volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army in the early days of World War II, and became a Sergeant of a machine gun section in the 103rd Anti-Aircraft Battalion attached to the First Infentry Division serving in the European Campaign. He was in three invasions - Africa, Sicily and Normandy and was awarded the Bronze Star by General Omar Bradley following his service in battle in Belgium.
After the war, Al had married his high school sweetheart, Florence, and they became owners of a very successful restaurant called "The White Oaks" at Lake Mahopac, New York. They ran the restaurant for a few year until Al and Florence took a vacation to California, afterwhich they decided to make California their new home. Al became a "gentleman farmer" in Garden Grove, which lasted a couple of years until they had run out of money. Then Al went into the advertising business for a short time prior in 1950, becoming part of a four-man partnership called Piccolo Pizza, which was a pioneer in the pizza business in California. Al was in charge of their institutional food sales, which included selling to entertainment venues, drive-in theatres, schools, roller skating rinks and one of their largest customers included Disneyland with it first opened. After the death of one of the four partners, Al became a salesman for Dependable Foods Co. of Fullerton, a distributor for retail and institutional outlets.
In 1963, Al joined Leo's Quality Foods, owned by Deli industry legend Leo Cohen. Al spent six years as the divisional sales manager for the east coast serving New York and the New England states, and in 1969 took over as Key Account Salesman before joining Western Farms Processed Foods in 1978. Western Farms was a produced luncheon meats, wieners and poultry products and specialized in producing "private label" products for many retailers in the western United States.
During Al's career, he became a member in a local food industry trade association, [then called] the Deli Council of Southern California, which later was re-named to the "Dairy/Deli/Bakery Council of Southern California" (or "DDBC"). Al was recognized for his early contributions to the Council by being awarded the "Big Cheese" in March 1979. He was also awarded the Deli Council's "Hall of Fame" Award in 1986 for his dedication and support of the Council, which was awarded posthumately for his "unwavering dedication and service to the Council's Seminars" and his great sense of humor. [February 1987 Deli News Magazine]
Al Berger passed away on 5 June 1986 in Seattle, Washington shortly after boarding a cruise ship bound for the 1986 World Expositon in Vancouver, British Columbia. His dedication and contributions to the food industry and the Southern California Deli Council will always be remembered. He was survived by his wife Florence, son Ken and daughter Alyson.
Image Gallery
References
- ↑ Find A Grave.
- United States. 1920 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T625).
1920 United States Federal Census
Name: Alfred Berger
Age: 2 [2 6/12]
Birth Year: abt 1918 [abt 1917]
Birthplace: New York
Home in 1920: Mount Vernon Ward 4, Westchester, New York
Street: North High Street
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: Isadore Berger
Father's Birthplace: Austria
Mother's name: Charlotte Berger
Mother's Birthplace: Austria
Household Members: Name Age
Isadore Berger 43 [40]
Charlotte Berger 38
Katerine Berger 10
Elizabeth Berger 4
Alfred Berger 2 [2 6/12]
- New York, United States. 1925 New York State Census.
1925 New York State Census
Name: Alfred Berger
Birth Date: abt 1918
Birth Place: United States
Age: 07
Gender: Male
Residence Place: Mount Vernon, Westchester
Relationship: Son
Color or Race: White
Assembly District: 01
House Number: 242
Line Number: 33
Page Number: 30
Household Members: Name Age
Isidor Berger 50
Charlotte Berger 44
Katherine Berger 15
Elizabeth Berger 09
Alfred Berger 07
- United States. 1940 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T627).
1940 U.S. Census Population Schedule
Name: Alfred Berger
Age: 21
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1919
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Bronx, New York
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Home in 1940: Mount Vernon, Westchester, New York
Street: North High Street
House Number: 242
Inferred Residence in 1935: Mount Vernon, Westchester, New York
Residence in 1935: Same House
Sheet Number: 15A
Occupation: Tinsmith Helper
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: High School, 4th year
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 44
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work
Weeks Worked in 1939: 52
Income: 1541
Income Other Sources: No
Household Members: Name Age
Isodore Berger 64
Elizabeth Berger 24
Alfred Berger 21
John Berger 52 - Boarder, [born in Austria, likely related in some way].
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