Maurice Maximilian Berger III

He died June 3, 2026, in hospice at Lambeth House in New Orleans, Louisiana. He delighted in becoming a bona fide centenarian.

During World War II, Chick served in the US Army Air Forces as a ball turret gunner on B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombers with the 600th Bombardment Squadron, Eighth Air Force. He flew more than 35 missions, and was discharged from service in 1945, with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He received the Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf

Clusters, 4 Bronze stars, and the European African Middle Eastern Theatre Campaign Medal. In later years, he passed along his knowledge and experience as a docent at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans and the American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale, Long Island, New York.

Chick was also a devoted Freemason, joining Geba Lodge in Elmhurst (Queens), New York in 1956. He became a Right Worshipful Mason, and later treasurer at the lodge, and was instrumental in helping Geba Lodge merge with Service City Lodge, thus helping to save both lodges in 2018.

The Masons also recognized Chick as a requested speaker, and for his charity work for blood drives, education and support regarding the needs of many vulnerable communities in New York.

According to one of his many mentees, Jamsheed Ghadiali, “His personality lit up a room, and whenever one spoke to him he made that person happy.”

Chick was a passionate world traveler, bridge aficionado, tennis player and lover of the New York Giants. He loved his family, was predeceased by two successive wives and leaves behind two daughters, a step-daughter and step-son, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, as well as many friends and admirers.