Al Berr served on the Board of Friends of Straus Park from 1997-2025.  He became our treasurer in January 2014 until October 2025 when he passed away. He helped maintain the vibrancy and financial health of the organization during a period of growth and heightened influence on our community. 

Al Berr’s career had a strong impact on the New York State arts’ community. He rose from temporary employee to deputy executive director of the New York Council on the Arts and for decades helped guide the financial lifeline that kept dozens of nonprofit dance, theater and opera companies in business. He died on October 7, 2025. He was 97. 

For much of his tenure at the council, Mr. Berr acted as a righthand man to Kitty Carlisle Hart, the singer, actress and television personality who chaired the council from 1976 to 1996. He served two years as acting executive director.

Mr. Berr was born on April 30, 1928, in Passaic, N.J., the son of Jack and Rose Berr. He graduated from Pace College with a major in the arts and minor in accounting. He was drafted a month after graduation and served two years in the Army, mainly at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.

Mr. Berr worked as general manager for a touring theatrical company and for the City Center Joffrey Ballet, and founded a small opera company, Opera Today before joining the arts council. He served on the boards of the Friends of Straus Park, the Straus Historical Society and the Filomen M. D’Agostino Greenberg Music School for the visually impaired.

He is survived by sister Bernice Saks, niece Carole Saks, nephew Larry Saks, and grand-nieces and grand-nephews Rachel, Jason, and Scott. The burial service took place in Naples, Florida, where the family resides.