Berry takes look back as final Senate year begins

BOSTON – State Senate Majority Leader Fred Berry, D-Peabody, never set out to be a flag-bearer for causes benefiting the underprivileged and he says he?s somewhat uncomfortable when people describe him as that alone.Yet it?s in no small part because of the Dean of the Senate who this week begins his 30th and final year representing Massachusetts 2nd Essex Senatorial District, that children with disabilities receive the early intervention services they need; insurers are required to pay for a broad range of services for autistic children; the state increased prescription cost aid to seniors; the commonwealth has some of the strongest laws against child abuse; and that there?s greater parity than ever before in Massachusetts for coverage of mental illness.While Berry admits all of these causes are dear to him – he counts the bill he introduced in 2009 and signed into law by Gov. Deval Patrick in 2010 that made it illegal for insurers to deny coverage of autistic children among his major accomplishments – he said his top priority has always been to serve all of the people of his district, comprised of Peabody, Salem, Beverly and Danvers.Berry announced in November that he plans to retire from the Senate at the end of 2012.While those on the other side of the aisle may not always agree with Berry?s politics, all agree that his life?s journey, from his days of isolation and torment in elementary school because of the cerebral palsy he was born with, to his ascension on Beacon Hill to become one of the most influential leaders in state government, is one of pure inspiration.Challenging childhood?I was a second-grade dropout,” Berry said bluntly during a recent interview in the posh conference room of his sizable State House suite, with his chief of staff of eight years Colleen McGlynn by his side. He reflected during the wide-ranging interview on highs and lows of his life and career.He vividly recalls the difficult time he had as a first-grader at Center School in Peabody in 1957.?[The other students] were mean, and you know, I was mocked and I really didn?t want to be there,” he said. “There was no Chapter 766 [Special Education] and no Early Intervention back then.”But what the youngest of Philip and Helen “Honey” Berry?s four children did have at that young age is something to which he attributes all of the success he?s enjoyed later in life. “I had the unconditional love of my family, and this wonderful home life. Anyone who wants a child to be successful on any level, regardless of any disability, unconditional love will make all of the difference.”Fred was raised with two sisters, Judy (Berry) Fairbank of Danvers, and Cynthia (Berry) Luma of York, Maine; and brother Stephen, who died in 1995 at age 50. His father, Philip, died several years later.Fred was primarily tutored in second grade by a retired teacher, in his family?s apartment above Berry?s Food Store at Lowell and King streets in Peabody.?We lived on the second floor above the store and by the time (the tutor) climbed the stairs we had to give her water to revive her,” joked Berry, “and that took most of our time because she only had an hour or something.”The following year he was transferred to St. John?s School where, unfortunately, the teasing from other children persisted.?My mother went down to St. John?s Parochial School one day and had a heart-to-heart with Mother Superior,” he said. “And all I know is that Mother Superior sent a message to all of the nuns who were teaching third grade, ?You tell ?em if anybody makes Freddy Berry cry they?re going to burn in Hell.??They had no idea what would make me cry, but did have an idea they didn?t want to go to Hell.”?Two best decisions?The teasing stopped, but perhaps as a result of the admonition, he said the other kids simply refused to talk with him and “I was isolated.”After fifth grade, his doctors, mother and school administrators determined it would be best if Fred transfer to the Massachusetts Hospital School,