Lloyd Edward Berry

It is with great sadness we announce that Lloyd Berry passed away peacefully at Surrey Memorial Hospital on July 12,2016 after a long battle with COPD and lung cancer. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, Alice and daughter Jennifer Bhatia (Zul) who lives in Lochwinnoch, Scotland. His grandsons Omar (Michelle) and Ally (Monica) Bhatia, and great grandson Cosmo live in Glasgow, Scotland. His niece Joy Brownsword is from Mill Bay on Vancouver Island.

Lloyd was born and grew up in St. James, Manitoba. He joined the army during WWII but was saved from going overseas when the war ended. After leaving the army, Lloyd came to the West Coast and never looked back.

In Vancouver, Lloyd became involved with the local theatre scene and was part of the growing theater, TV and Film industry for over the last 60 years. In the early sixties, Lloyd was involved in the creation of the Metro Theatre as its Production Manager and the early development of the Metropolitan Co-operative Theater Concept. Lloyd was in the first production of the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre, "The Hostage", by Brendan Behan.

Later, Lloyd moved to Calgary and was the Assistant Manager of the Calgary Allied Arts Centre and was Theater Manager for a 500 seat theatre and created a Children's Theater program. During his stay in Calgary, Lloyd was involved in setting up the ACTRA branch in Alberta, so his ACTRA ID is 09-00001. Lloyd is also a lifetime member of UBCP.

Coming back to BC in the late 60's, he worked for the Playhouse Theatre Company as its Assistant Manager and did Audience Development. Lloyd was also in the first production of the Theatre Company and he partnered in the creation of the Jabberwocky Theater for Children.

Through all the years he worked as a freelance actor and director, Lloyd never lost his desire to help people, especially children, get involved in the arts. He was a part-time administrator for the Sculptors Society of BC, a political advocate for the Arts in BC (Arts Access) and sat on the BC Arts Council.

He spent fifteen years at the Burnaby Art Centre as Supervisor of Fine Arts. He was responsible for the development of the Art Centre and created extensive visual and performing art classes as well as programs for the 300 seat James Cowan Theatre. He was able to sponsor many theatre, dance, music and visual art groups by giving them workspace and performance opportunities. Lloyd was very proud that he was able to help so many young people get started in their careers in the arts. The Centre is now known as the Shadbolt Centre for Arts in Burnaby.

The family would like to express our sincerest thanks to Dr. Davey Gin for his many years providing very kind and caring assistance.

At Lloyd's request, there will be no service held. For those who wish, memorial donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Nature Conservancy of Canada.