Roy Charles Berger passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Red Deer, Alberta at the age of 80.
Roy is the son of Olive Berger (Frizzell) and Albert Edward Berger. He was born on November 12, 1944, in Montreal, Quebec. As a teenager, Roy joined the Air Cadets and wore his uniform to hitchhike across Canada to live with his sister, Isabell. Under the encouragement of Isabell, Roy enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1963 where he served for 35 years as a ground-air-ground radar technician. Roy had many postings during his career, including: CFS Kamloops (Mount Lolo) 1964-1968, CFB Moosonee 1968-1972, JFC Brunssum, Netherlands (AFCENT) 1972-1976, CFB Penhold 1976-1981, CFS Aldergrove 1981-1986, CFB Ottawa 1986-1990, CFB Penhold 1991-1993, CFS Masset 1993-1998. Roy had 2 deployments: CFS Alert, 1989 and Cyprus, circa 1991. Roy retired from the military, with the rank of Warrant Officer, in 1998 and continued to live in Masset until 2000. Roy and Cindy then moved to Bowden, AB.
Roy was an avid ham radio operator during the early years of his military career. He spent many hours talking to people all over the world long before computers and social media came about. You could easily find where Roy lived by looking for the tallest antenna tower in the neighbourhood. Roy loved music, and he was a DJ on the side while living in CFB Penhold and CFS Aldergrove. He spent many weekends DJing for parties and weddings at the Q bar F and dance halls on base. Roy had quite the collection of vinyl record albums and 45s. Roy made reel to reels back in those day too.
Roy was an excellent snooker player. He developed his snooker skills during his teen years to earn extra pocket money. His initial strategy was to stay sober while his components drank. He kept his wits about him, continued to play and win. Over the years he became quite an expert player. He even played against a world snooker champion once.
Roy was passionate about photography, and he became a successful photographer. He had one of his beautiful photographs published in the National Geographic. Roy loved to take photographs of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, landscapes, and water. Roy found peace and tranquility travelling to the mountains and going on long walks and hikes with his camera. Roy also enjoyed camping, canoeing and the great outdoors with Cindy. While living in Masset, they spent countless hours fly fishing for salmon and steelhead.
Roy loved nature and animals. Roy developed a love for dogs from a young age after his first dog, Toughy. Max, Prince, Misty, and Maggie were his beloved dogs in later years. Roy also loved birds. As a boy, he had a budgie that he carried around on his shoulder. Later in life, Roy had several parrots: Nelson, Huey, Echo, Joey, Charlie, and Peaches. Roy also had cats too: Susie, Tiger, Spider, Blossom and Sammi.
Roy lived a peaceful, quiet life spending his days doing the things that he loved.
Roy is preceded by his parents and siblings: Kenneth and Isabell (Hepler). Roy is survived by his wife Cindy (Rottluff), sisters: Margaret (Pidduck) and Heather Berger, children: Michael Roy Berger (Julie), Lee-Ann Nicole Hollander, stepdaughter Tricia Rolanda Mailloux (Jason) and grandchildren: Matthew Berger, Sarah Comazzetto (Derek), Hannah Hollander, Danièlle Hollander, Zoë Hollander, and Emma Mailloux. Roy is also survived by a niece and several nephews.
Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 5226 – 46 Street, Olds, Alberta. Phone: 403.507.8610

• Date : 2025-03-21
• Location : (Olds) LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com