Danny Berrios dies at 48

Working as a sanitation worker for Sanitary District 1 in the morning and bus driver for Independent Coach in the afternoon sounds tiring, but longtime Cedarhurst resident Danny Berrios performed both jobs with a smile always on his face.

Berrios died on April 8, his 48th birthday, one week after being involved in a motorcycle accident when a Honda Civic on Mill Road in Valley Stream hit him.

Born on April 8, 1975 in Queens, he was a 1993 Lawrence High School graduate. Berrios met his wife, Valerie Cervone Berrios, through a mutual friend in 2014. The two married in 2017.

Cervone Berrios recalled how her husband loved the local community newspaper.

“My husband and I would get the Herald in the mail, among other things,” Cervone Berrios said. “It was the only local paper he would read and I remember one time he said, ‘Is that the Herald? Make sure you leave it for me!’ “

He was employed with S.D. 1 for over 30 years and part-time as a bus driver, since 2009. He always had a love of being with children, especially his three kids: Brianna Berrios, Ethan Berrios and Spencer Berrios. He also served as a father figure to many of the children on the buses he drove.

“Danny was a friend to everyone,” Cervone Berrios said. “He had friends of all ages and he was just a loving, kind human being.”

He drove children  to their athletic games and was often seen cheering the kids on in the stands as they played.

“He was full of light,” Michael Sperber, claim supervisor for Independent Coach said. “Always had a smile on his face and a lot of fun to be with.”

Cervone Berrios said she was overwhelmed by how much her husband meant to others, especially the children he knew from his bus runs.

“One of the kids he drove posted on Facebook and wrote ‘D.B’ and taped it on his lacrosse helmet and dedicated the game to him,” Cervone Berrios said. “He also wrote, ‘He wasn’t just a bus driver that would drive us, but he would go in and cheer us on with the parents and coaches.’”

Along with working two jobs, Berrios found time to volunteer serving with the

Inwood Fire Department for three years and the Hewlett Fire Department for 13 years. And his 30-year passion for riding motorcycles and hanging out with the Nassau County Fire Riders motorcycle club.

“He loved riding his motorcycle,” Cervone Berrios said. “It was a huge part of his life.”

On Facebook, many expressed their love for Berrios. Rikki Quaas Krieg posted, “The void is immense. You were so full of life. Such a presence. I can’t even explain how badly you’re missed. We love you Danny. So Much.”

Chuck Brady, a member of the Fire Riders, posted, “Always sad saying goodbye to a brother. Funeral turnout was amazing great to see the love for his family. Rest easy Danny Berrios.”

Berrios is survived by his wife, Valerie Cervone Berrios, children Brianna, Ethan and Spencer. Sisters Dawn Zuefle (Larry), Vanessa Plattner (Steve) and brother AJ Berrios (Melissa) and granddaughters Luna and Camilla Frigand, several nieces and nephews and the many members of Cervone Berrios’ family.

Visitation and a firematic service was held at Perry Funeral Home in Lynbrook on April 12 and 13.

He was buried at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Pinelawn on April 14.