DOB/DOD: May 20, 1919 (Keller, VA) – January 12, 1977 (West Haven, CT); 57 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Josephine Aquino in Norwalk on October 20, 1945 (1916-1984).
CHILDREN: Three sons, Major T. (1947-2019), Berley A. Jr. (1948-2024), and Alan J. (1954-). One daughter, Judith M. (1949-).
LOCAL ADDRESS: 9 Chestnut Street, South Norwalk (1946); 7 Nolan Street, Norwalk
(1976).
ENLISTMENT: September 22, 1941, in Norfolk, Virginia.
SERVICE NUMBER: 4059727
DISCHARGE: October 7, 1945.
SHIP ASSIGNED TO: USS PC-496
FAMILY: Born to Major T. Mears (1872-1959) and Annie Augustine Parker Mears (1878-1967). Five sisters, Clara L. Mears Gardner Kellam (1898-1923), Essie M. (1902-1913), Della Rae Mears Killmon (1907-2003), Maggie S. (1910-1910), and Gladys M. Mears Wooten (1914-1999).
OTHER: He was wounded when his ship, Patrol Craft USS PC-496, was destroyed by an Italian torpedo off the coast of Bizerte, Tunisia, on June 4, 1943. He survived by holding on to a floating ice box from the ship’s kitchen until he was rescued.
Upon discharge as a Ship’s Cook First Class, he went to work at the South Norwalk Railroad Station, then the Ziegler family estate in Noroton as a caretaker, then the Lock Cities Plating & Manufacturing in South Norwalk.
From The Norwalk Hour January 13, 1977
Berley A. Mears, 57, of 7 Nolan Street, the husband of Josephine Aquino Mears, died Wednesday at West Haven Veterans Hospital after a lengthy illness. Born in Keller, Virginia, he was the son of the late Major and Annie Parker Mears. Mr. Mears resided here for 31 years and was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was employed by Lock Cities Manufacturing Company. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Major T. Mears, Berley A. Mears Jr., and Alan J. Mears, all of Norwalk; a daughter, Miss Judith Mears of New Haven; two sisters, Mrs. Ernest (Gladys) Wooten of Ocean View, Delaware, and Mrs. Walter Killmon of Keller, Virginia. Services will take place Saturday at a time to be announced by the Magner Funeral Home, 12 Mott Avenue. Interment will be in Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien. Friends may call at the funeral home tonight from 7 to 9 o’clock and Friday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m.
From The Norwalk Hour January 16, 1977
Services for Berley A. Mears, 57, of 7 Nolan Street, were conducted Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Magner Funeral Home, 12 Mott Avenue, with the Reverend Lewis Blackmer, pastor of the Community Baptist Church, officiating. Burial was in Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien. Pallbearers were Edward Robertine, Preston McCabe, George Biasetti, Wayne Embrey, Raymond Cooke, and James Inty. Mr. Mears died Wednesday in West Haven Veteran Hospital.
Buried in Spring Grove Cemetery, 41 Hecker Avenue, Darien, Connecticut; Section number and plot number pending. Photo from FindAGrave.com.
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