Ronald "Red" Thomas Berta

Ronald “Red” Thomas Berta

Ronald “Red” Thomas Berta passed away on November 28, 2025, at the age of 90, after a brief illness.

Born on May 9, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York, Red was the son of Charles and Rose Berta. He was raised on Lynch Street in Brooklyn, which held a special place in his heart. Red’s mother, Rose, passed away in 1937 when he was just two years old. The following year, his father married Anna Marie Stack. Anna lovingly raised Red as her own, and he always called her "Mom," while she affectionately called him "Ronnie."

In 1954, Red joined the U.S. Army and served overseas. After his military service, he began his career with Bell Telephone in New York. He later moved to New Jersey, starting a new position with New Jersey Bell performing installation and repair services in private homes. In 1972, while on a service call in Randolph, Red met Sandra Sisco. They married in 1973 and shared 48 years together until Sandy’s passing in 2021.

When Red could no longer climb telephone poles, he transitioned to working on payphones throughout Morris County. If you used a payphone in the 1990s, there's a good chance Red Berta helped keep it running.

After marrying Sandy, they settled in Wharton, New Jersey, where Red became a long-time resident. Red was universally known for his warmth, patience, and sense of humor—he brought joy to everyone who knew him. He never had a harsh word for anyone and was always kind and gentle. Red was deeply devoted to his family, serving as a Boy Scout leader and Little League coach, cherishing the extra time with his sons. He was also an active and devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Ledgewood, NJ, where he held many roles over the years.

Red was predeceased by his parents—Charles, Rose, and Anna—his wife Sandy, his brother Dennis, and his former wife, Eleanor Naklicki-Wright.

He is survived by his four children: Michael Berta (Yvette), Lisa Chaney (Craig), Phillip Berta (Dawn), and Jodie Parker (Jerry); seven beloved grandchildren: Rachel Giordano (Jay), Derek Berta (Samantha), Sean Berta (LeAnne), Kelsey Marshall (Shane), Matthew Trail (Juliana), Nicole Trail, and Ryan Berta; and seven great-grandchildren: Paisley, Kenzie, Elsie, Oakley, Cody, Kaia, and Penelope, with two more on the way.

Services will be held at Bermingham Funeral Home, 216 S Main Street, Wharton, NJ 07885, on December 8, 2025, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Randolph, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Red’s name to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation or Autism Speaks.

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