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Mike Berger, Alpha-1 advocate, dies at 52
Michael W. Berger of LaGrange, IL, a dedicated Alpha-1 advocate, died suddenly Dec. 3. He was 52.
The father of two children diagnosed with Alpha-1 (both asymptomatic), Berger dedicated time and energy into raising awareness and funds for Alpha-1 research. He enjoyed bike riding with his wife, Julia and their three children, Jake, Cate and Molly.
Mike Berger, Alpha-1 advocate
The family recently participated as members of Team Alpha-1 in the Apple Cider Century Bicycle Tour in Three Oaks, Michigan – a 37-mile course – to raise money for Alpha-1 research. Jake, the first in the family to be diagnosed with Alpha-1, said, “I intend to continue my father’s legacy of raising awareness and research funds for Alpha-1.”
FAMILY FUNDRAISING — The Berger family at the Apple Cider Century bike ride this fall. From the left are Maggie, Andy and Colleen DeRosa, friends of the Berger family who joined in the ride; Molly, Julie, Jake and Mike Berger. Cate was away at college and could not attend.
Berger leaves behind his wife of 29 years, Julia Pembroke Berger; his children, John Michael “Jake” Berger, Catherine “Cate” Berger, and Margaret “Molly” Berger.
He was the son of the late William and Marie Catherine (Sullivan) Berger; brother of Jerry Berger, Barbara (Renee) Durand, Tom (Diane) Berger, the late Rosemary (Bill) Black,and Pat (Sandy) Berger; son-in-law of Rosemary and the late John J. Pembroke; brother-in-law of John (Mary) Pembroke, Eileen (Neil McFadden) Pembroke, the late Florence Nunez Gonzalez, James (Jeannie) Pembroke, Martin (Cinda) Pembroke and Mary Pembroke; uncle of Danielle Rossi, Christopher Durand, Beth Sloan, Bill Berger, Ana, Nevada and Cliff Black, Bridget and John“Jack” Pembroke, Nicholas and Clare McFadden, Donato Nunez, Jacqueline Gonzalez, James, Mary Therese Pembroke, Matthew, Amanda and Megan Pembroke.
His obituary states:
The family asks that those who wish to do something special for Mike, do a kind deed in his memory; first and foremost, he was always helping others. Mike and his family would encourage all to complete organ donor cards. In lieu of flowers, donations to Alpha-1 Foundation, Attn: Development Office, 2937 SW 27th Ave., Suite 302, Miami, FL 33133 or donate online.
Read The Berger family’s story on our website
