Berry, Albert E., 1894-1984 : Public Works engineer
Albert E. Berry was born on October 6, 1894 in Blanchard Township near St.Mary's, Ontario. An early interest in municipal affairs led him to the study of sanitation at the University of Toronto's School of Practical Science. There he obtained his Bachelor and Master of Applied Science in engineering. After studying water supply, sewage treatment and refuse disposal, he completed his Master's thesis on solid waste disposal. His 50-year career in public health allowed him to pursue these issues and make important contributions to their development.
After his graduation, Berrywent to work for the Ontario Provincial Board of Health. His employment was interrupted by World War I, during which he served overseas. Upon his return, he rejoined the Provincial Board. Throughout most of his career, he was concerned with water supplies, possessing the authority to order improvements to municipal water systems. Berry was part of a small group of senior Board officials who urged the formation of the Ontario Water Resources Commission (OWRC) in the mid-1950's. It was the mandate to this body to assist in the funding, construction and operation of necessary improvement projects which a community could not afford. He worked on the Commission until his retirement in 1965.
Other public health concerns also occupied Berry's time. After years of offering recommendations, he contributed to the successful passage of provincial legislation in the 1950's requiring the pasteurization of milk, another typhoid-carrying agent. He worked on improvements in refuse disposal and sewage treatment as well.
After completing his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, Berry took a part-time position teaching at the University of Toronto, which he held for 25 years. He was a member of many professional associations, including the Canadian Institute of Pollution Control, American Public Works Association, Water Pollution Control Federation and American Water Works Association, and served as president of the latter two. Membership in these organizations, as well as maintenance of a large network of contacts through correspondence, kept Berry informed on developments in his field, both before and after his retirement. Though tempted by other offers, Dr. Berry chose to remain with the province, where he exerted a strong influence on environmental policy in Ontario. He is noted for encouraging greater co-operation between engineers and doctors in the maintenance of public health.
