Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Contact
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
    • Submit Press Release
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab Stores Targeted
  • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Heritage America resources
    • Directory
      • Groups & Organizations
      • Mosques, Churches
      • Restaurants
      • 2008 & 2014 Arab Media Directories
    • National Arab Heritage Month
    • Video: Chicago Arab History
    • Video: Photo Array of Chicago Arabs
    • Overview of Arabs in America
    • Hanania standup comedy
    • Arabs on the Titanic
    • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Arab Radio Podcast intro
    • Radio Baladi Detroit
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Toggle search form
  • photo credit author Nehemia Gershuni-Aylho www.NGPhoto.biz and Wikipedia
    Emergency Court Motions to Stop Elbit Drone Parts Shipment via Frankfurt Airport  Activism
  • American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh murdered by Israeli soldiers May 11, 2022
    Documentary names soldier it says killed Shireen Abu Akleh in 2022 American Arabs
  • Committee to Protect Journalists, CPJ
    Jordan bans 12 news sites for ‘spreading media poison’ following corruption report Arab World
  • CAIR Logo. Council on American Islamic Relations
    CAIR Condemns MIT for banning Class President from Graduation Ceremony over Anti-Genocide speech Activism
  • ADC creates emergency fund to defend people who are being punished for expressing views on the American-sanction violence by Israel in the Gaza Strip. Photo courtesy of ADC
    ADC Condemns ADL, Rep. Torres’ Defamation of Dr. Lara Sheehi Activism
  • UN Special Committee on Israeli practices in occupied territories warns of a second Nakba  Arab World
  • Arab American community liaison Hassan Nijem, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Basta at the Arab American Heritage Month event hosted by Pappas’s office.
    Pappas honors Arab American business and community leaders for Heritage Month Activism
  • 04-28-25 Pappas Arab Heritage Month
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recognizes Arab American Heritage Month by honoring business and community leaders American Arabs
  • Stuffed Grape Leaves. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    A recipe on how to make Stuffed Grape Leaves with lamb, ox tail and rice American Arabs
  • Andrew Boutros, interim US Attorney Northern District of Illinois. Photo courtesy of the US Attorney's Office
    Andrew S. Boutros Takes Oath of Office as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois American Arabs
  • Israeli massacres of Palestinian civilians March 18 2025
    Palestinians demand investigation of Israeli war crimes in Gaza Strip Arab World
  • Illinois Muslim Action Day April 9 2025
    Illinois Muslim Action Day Policies at April 9 Statehouse News Conference American Arabs
  • Investigation demanded in March 23 massacre of 15 first responders by Israel's military in Rafah
    Investigation demanded into Israel slaughter of First Responder in Rafah on March 23, 2025 Arab World
  • More than a dozen candidates running for various local offices in the Chicagoland suburbs attended an Ifatr dinner Thursday, March 13, 2025 hosted by the Arab American Chamber of Commerce at the Jerusalem Banquet Hall in Bridgeview.
    Candidates promise fairness and engagement at Arab Chamber Iftar event March 13 Activism
  • Orland Fire Protection District, Fiscal Voices, receive endorsement of the Arab American Democracy Coaliton
    Independent candidates for Orland Fire receive Arab and Muslim American endorsement Activism

ADC National honors the late Sir Michael Berry

Posted on November 2, 2015November 3, 2015 By rayhanania No Comments on ADC National honors the late Sir Michael Berry
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

ADC National recognizes achievements of Sir Michael Berry

Sir. Michael Berry, a lawyer, pioneer of the Arab American community and longtime Wayne County official in Michigan, died this past week. He was 95 years old.

Sir Michael Berry 1920-2015
Sir Michael Berry
May 8, 1920- Oct. 25, 2015

Of Lebanese heritage, Sir Berry was the first Muslim to practice law in Michigan. He dedicated his life to numerous civic, social, allied, and legal associations for over fifty years. Other firsts include his being the first Arab American to hold a high level position in the democratic party, and the first Arab American to head the Wayne County Road Commission.

Sir Berry died on Sunday October 25, 2015. Journalist and Managing Editor of The Arab Daily News Ray Hanania said that Berry’s life represents a major moment in American Arab history and achievement.

“Sir Berry was a good friend and cordial community leader who respected hard work and commitment not just to the American Arab community but to this country,” Hanania said. “I was honored to speak with him many times during writing assignments in Michigan over the years as a journalist and also later as a columnist. He always had something good to say about people.”

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) commemorated Sir Berry’s life and legacy in a release issued this week.

“Sir Berry was a great attorney and public servant, but more importantly, he was a model leader of the Arab-American community. As an attorney, Sir Berry worked to achieve justice for under-served communities, including Arab-Americans. As a public servant, Sir Berry championed diversity while serving on Wayne County Road Commission. He was elected in 1967, and served as Chairman of the Commission for 10 of his 15 years of service until 1982. In his time with the Commission, Sir Berry  hired 44 Arabs as well as many people from diverse ethnicities,” the ADC National statement read.

Sir Berry wrote in his autobiography: “I had hired a lot of blacks, Irish, everyone that really applied for a job, including Arab Americans.”

ADC added, “Sir Berry also left a legacy of philanthropy and community building, supporting education and quality healthcare for Arabs in Michigan, as well as in Lebanon, the country of his Arab heritage.  He funded scholarships at MSU College of Law, the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Davenport University and Henry Ford College. He also  supported hospitals in Michigan and Lebanon. Sir Berry’s philanthropy garnered high honors. For his help in organizing a shipment of medical supplies, the Lebanese government made him a Knight of the  National Order of the Cedar, one of Lebanon’s highest honors. Sir Berry was also honored by ADC at our National Convention.”

Michael Berry biography by Susan Griffith
Michael Berry biography by Susan Griffith

Sir Berry was born in 1920 to Arab-American immigrants from Southern Lebanon. After enduring poverty during the Great Depression, Sir Berry went on to graduate from Fordson Junior College, Wayne College, and Detroit College of Law.

Sir Berry is survived by his wife Cindy, children Cindi LaCroix, Laura Berry Harris, Carol Ward, Gail Berry, Timothy Berry and Brendan Berry; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and siblings Patricia Kelley, Lindy Berry and Frank Berry.

The fascinating life and accomplishments of Michael Berry, entitled “Michael Berry, a Biography” was published by Dearborn author and writer Susan Griffin.

In 2007, Berry was honored by the Arab Chamber of Commerce, feted by keynote speaker and investigative author Seymour Hersh.

Michigan State University offered a detailed bio on Sir Berry’s accomplished life.

Born in Highland Park, Michigan, and growing up with four brothers and four sisters, Berry liked to study and was eager to start working and get on with his life. His rock-solid values of integrity, education, fairness, and equality were among those ingrained in him by his hard-working parents, Mariam and Charles Berry. The family attempted to return to their homeland of Lebanon with their family in 1930, but the depression there was worse than in the United States, so they returned and settled in Dearborn. Michael is grateful for all the opportunities he has had in America.

A good student who graduated from Fordson Junior College and Wayne College, Berry originally wanted to become a doctor. The wait for medical school seemed too long, though, so he applied to Detroit College of Law (DCL). There he became friends with two others students, Arman Simone (now deceased) and David Ambender. These three, who always studied and socialized together, were dubbed “The Three Musketeers.” Due to a glitch in his class schedule, Berry passed the bar exam and tried his first case in 1949, one month before he graduated.

Upon graduation in 1950, he and his associates formed the law practice of Berry, Hopson & Francis in Dearborn. As the first Muslim of Arab descent to practice law in the state of Michigan, Berry had to overcome a great deal of adversity.

Initially taking on every case, Berry later focused on municipal law. In 1967, he was approached to serve on the Wayne County Road Commission. He won the election and quickly put his mark on the agency by righting a skewed bidding system. In one instance, using his science education and lab training, he questioned the composition of fertilizer being purchased and was able to “right” the formula used, opening up the bidding and saving vast amounts of taxpayer dollars. His sharp business acumen earned him the position of chairman, which he held for 10 of his nearly 16 years of service. While he was chairman of the Commission, Berry’s tenacious involvement in Detroit Metro Airport expansion, tight oversight of the bidding process, and execution of contracts earned him great respect. When a separate terminal for international travel was built, it was named in his honor.

His reputation for high ethics, tireless work on behalf of many causes, and an ability to “get big things done” brought him fame not only in Michigan, but also nationally and internationally.

Berry was active in the Democratic Party, chairing the 16th Congressional Democratic District for four terms beginning in the 1960s, and holding other powerful posts. He became friends with several of the Kennedys, and was encouraged to run for higher office himself.

Visitation began Monday from 1-8 pm at the John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home, 1139 Inkster Rd., Garden City (between Ford and Cherry Hill). Visitation on Tuesday and Wednesday from 1-8 pm at the Islamic Center of America, 19500 Ford Rd., Dearborn (West of Southfield Fwy.) Funeral services will be held on Thursday 11 am at the Islamic Center of America. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

newswire info
  • About
  • Latest Posts
rayhanania
rayhanania
Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster at The Arab Daily News
Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.

Follow RayHanania at Twitter
rayhanania
Latest posts by rayhanania (see all)
  • Israelisnipers shooting and killing hospital workers in Gaza - December 11, 2023
  • CAIR Condemns Israeli Executions of Wounded, Unarmed Palestinian in West Bank   - December 11, 2023
  • Arab and Muslim American voters face a “simple choice” between Biden’s inhumanity and Trump’s edgy politics - December 9, 2023

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
American Arabs, Business, News, Obits Tags:American Arab, Dearborn, Democrat, Lebanese, Sir Michael Berry, Wayne County

Post navigation

Previous Post: AFC president’s FIFA presidential bid mired in abuse of human rights allegations
Next Post: Tabboun: Himes questions troop deployment to Syria

Related Posts

  • Ilhan Omar Becomes First Somali Arab-American To Win Minnesota Congressional Primary
    This Land is Your Land: God Blessed America for Me American Arabs
  • AHRC and the Islamic Center of Detroit (ICD) hosted a community forum and discussion with the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) on Wednesday, June 14, 2023.
    AHRC and ICD Hold Meet, Greet and Open Conversation with USCIS: American Arabs
  • Allison Folmar, AHRC
    American Human Rights Council Empowers Women American Arabs
  • Promo for The Ray Hanania show on WNZK AM 690 Radio sponsored by the Arab News Newspaper
    Afghan turmoil helps Israel suppress media coverage of its abuses American Arabs
  • Obit: Persecuted by Israel and US, Salah dies American Arabs
  • Attorney Martin McMahon details his lawsuit filed in February 2020 against AIPAC, Jared Kushner, Sheldon Adelson, President Trump, and 15 other defendants. March 4, 2020 at the National Press Club
    Lawsuit filed against Trump, Israeli settlements, peace plan and AIPAC Activism

More Related Articles

Santa Claus visits homeless in destroyed Gaza city Arab World
American Middle East groups oppose granting Visa Waiver approval to Israel Sept. 27 , 2023 American Middle East organizations protest against granting Israel Visa Waiver approval American Arabs
Construction workers in the West Bank settlement of Ariel. Such Israeli settlements have expanded in recent years. Photo: Annie Slemrod/IRIN. Courtesy of the United Nations PLO denounces Israeli land grab Arab World
Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, courtesy of the Joe Biden presidential campaign website Joe Biden speaks to Muslims urging their support American Arabs
Bassiouni under attack from extremists who hate Israel, peace & moderates American Arabs
Mary Magdalene and Resurrection of Crone Wisdom American Arabs

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Ray Hanania's 4 times a week columns at https://RayHanania.com at Substack

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Photo courtesy of Journalist Abdennour Toumi
    France: Political Compromise vs Political Instability
    August 28, 2024
  • Zakia Restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia
    Arabs eat Middle East food like they are making love
    June 27, 2024
  • Zwar lamb kabob and kufta with white and yellow rice
    Zwar ranked the Best Middle East restaurant in Chicagoland suburbs
    June 8, 2024
  • Pictured: Rahm Emanuel, Afghan activist Salman Aftab who was co-chair of the Iftar dinner, and several non-Arab Muslim leaders. Also pictured is Ald. Joe Moore. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania for Arab News
    Comprehensive look at the failings of former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel
    January 18, 2024
  • NEWSWIRE
  • CAIR Logo. Council on American Islamic Relations
    CAIR Condemns MIT for banning Class President from Graduation Ceremony over Anti-Genocide speech
    June 1, 2025
  • Arab American community liaison Hassan Nijem, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Basta at the Arab American Heritage Month event hosted by Pappas’s office.
    Pappas honors Arab American business and community leaders for Heritage Month
    April 29, 2025
  • 04-28-25 Pappas Arab Heritage Month
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recognizes Arab American Heritage Month by honoring business and community leaders
    April 27, 2025
  • Mike Ghouse
    Celebration of 500th Interfaith Marriage Ceremony
    February 14, 2025

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

  • NEWS
  • photo credit author Nehemia Gershuni-Aylho www.NGPhoto.biz and Wikipedia
    Emergency Court Motions to Stop Elbit Drone Parts Shipment via Frankfurt Airport 
    June 7, 2025
  • American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh murdered by Israeli soldiers May 11, 2022
    Documentary names soldier it says killed Shireen Abu Akleh in 2022
    June 1, 2025
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Faisal Abbas Book Anecdotes
    Book Review: Arab author shares his anecdotes living in the United Kingdom
    October 22, 2024
  • Columnist Ray Hanania at the ADC Convention in Dearborn with the author Susan Abulhawa
    Book Review: Mornings in Jenin bySusan Abulhawa
    September 14, 2024
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • Television set and remote. Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
    MBC GROUP unveils MBCNOW, its brand-new groundbreaking entertainment service aggregator
    February 24, 2025
  • ArabCon 2024 Gala Program features Dr. Cornel West, Macklemore, and more
    September 6, 2024
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
Arab News Newspaper Logo
Read the Arab News, the leading English language newspaper in the MIddle East

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Click here to get information on The Ray Hanania Radio Show and its podcasts

Copyright © 2025 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme