South Salem Resident Dies at 77

 provided the following information:

Bruce L. (Joe) Berlt, born July 11, 1934 in Valatie, son of the late Charles and Winifred (Schofield) Berlt, died Saturday after a long but valiant battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 77 years old.

He was the owner of the North White Plains Service Center from 1961 until his retirement in 2002. His greatest joy was when he was with his family, especially during barbecues in the spring and summer, football games in the fall and winter, and car races throughout the seasons. He was an avid NASCAR and INDY fan, having traveled to the INDY 500 several years in a row.

A resident of South Salem for more than 45 years, he was known as a passionate caregiver to many. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Joan Teates Berlt, and their combined families, to whom he was a loving husband, father and grandfather: their sons Charles Berlt, of Germantown; Thomas (Cheryl) Binns, of Metamara, IL; Chris (Linda) Binns, of South Salem; and daughters Lisa (Alex) Valentine, of Newtown, CT; and Donna (Omar) Francis, of Clinton, CT; a sister Jacqueline Atkinson of Grand Island, NY; eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. His wife Joan was at his side throughout the several years it took to fight this disease and without her constant, continuous caregiving, this battle would not have been as courageous a fight as it was.

Friends may call at Beecher Funeral Home on  from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday. A funeral service for close friends and family is scheduled for 11:00 am Thursday at the the same location. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to:

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

Grand Central Station

P.O. Box 4777

New York, NY 10163 33308