Community Corner
Former Senator Berry in Hospital Recovering From Pneumonia
The 63-year-old retired state senator, who has cerebral palsy, is reportedly on the mend from a recent bout of pneumonia.
Retired state Sen. Fred Berry was taken to the hospital again early Tuesday morning, suffering from pneumonia.
Berry, who has cerebral palsy and has experienced some health complications and pneumonia in more recent years, was taken to Salem Hospital by ambulance from his Peabody residence at 3:24 a.m., according to a police log entry.
The 63-year-old Peabody native was reportedly suffering from shortness of breath at the time. It was at least the second time Berry was hospitalized with a bout of pneumonia since June 2012.
Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt said he had spoken with staff at the hospital and understood Berry was on the mend.
"He is still in the hospital, but I don't get the sense it's too serious," Bettencourt said Wednesday evening.
He said he understood Berry was hospitalized with pneumonia a couple weeks ago as well, but had returned home. He was meeting with Berry earlier this week to discuss an issue, but learned Berry was re-admitted.
Berry retired from the Senate last year after serving his hometown for 30 years, along with Salem, Beverly, Danvers and Topsfield.
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