Russell (Rusty) Berger, 63, of Belmont passed away January 23, 2025. He is the son of Russell G. Berger II and Nancy Kistler Berger, and husband of nearly 12 years to Kimberly Killian Berger. Rusty grew up in Vermont and has lived in North Carolina for nine years. He was lovingly called “the Mayor of Paradise Point” by his close community of friends. He was a loving and dedicated husband, father and son.
Rusty was the owner of ALMAR Auto Repair, South Boulevard, Charlotte, N.C. He was the youngest to achieve the Eagle Scout rank while living in Vermont. In 2004, Rusty won Rookie of the Year at Thunder Road speedway in Barre, Vt. He was an enthusiastic leader who drew people to him. He made friends everywhere he went. And if you were a friend, you were family. He always saw the best in people and had a generous and forgiving heart. Rusty will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him.
In addition to his parents, Rusty leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife, Kimberly Berger; his sons, Russell George Berger IV, Hunter Killian, Reece Pawlaczyk and Spencer Pawlaczyk; his daughters, Kathryn Berger and Lauren Berger; and his sisters, Lori Hennessey (husband Michael), Michelle Rushford (husband Michael) and Gretchen Stallings (husband Timothy).
The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 30, 2025, 3:30 p.m., at McLean Funeral Directors, Belmont.
Condolence messages may be sent online at mcleanfuneral.com. McLean Funeral Directors of Belmont is serving the Berger family.
This article appears in Jan 22-28, 2025.