Overview: Tony and Crystal Berryman Celebrate 60 Years of Marriage With Mississippi River Cruise
Family, friends and community members gathered July 25 aboard a Padelford lunch cruise on the Mississippi River to celebrate Antoine "Tony" Berryman and his wife, Crystal, on their 60th wedding anniversary. The piece traces the couple's history from their first meeting in Duluth through decades of community leadership, Tony's 25 years of military and Minneapolis Park Police service, and Crystal's career in education and Native American advocacy. Their four children shared tributes to the couple's legacy of faith, family and service to the Twin Cities. Note: the source document's byline field was left as a placeholder and does not name a writer.
Under hazy skies Saturday, July 25, family members, close friends and guests boarded a Padelford lunch cruise at Harriet Island in St. Paul to celebrate Antoine “Tony” Berryman and his wife, Crystal, longtime Twin Cities community leaders, and honor their 60 years of marriage.
As the boat departed along the Mississippi River, the lower deck unexpectedly became available exclusively for the celebration, creating an intimate setting for the family’s four-hour cruise. After enjoying a barbecue lunch and cake, the couple’s daughter, Kimerlie Geraci, opened the program by sharing the couple’s love story before inviting family members to reflect on their legacy.
A Duluth Connection and a Lifelong Partnership
The Berrymans’ love story began when Tony, an Air Force military police officer from Boston, was stationed in Duluth and met Crystal at a gathering hosted by her older brother, Pierre Lewis, a decorated Army Green Beret. Their connection was immediate.
Crystal, then an independent 19-year-old mother of two, impressed Tony with her intelligence, confidence and creativity. She created window displays for Lerner Shops and The Emporium and credited her strong work ethic to her parents, Clarence Lewis, a well-respected St. Paul Black barber and barbershop owner, and his wife, Mae, a talented beautician.
Tony’s love and admiration for Crystal eventually led to a marriage proposal, and the couple wed July 29, 1966. Soon afterward, Tony adopted Crystal’s two young children, Craig, then 3, and Kimerlie, then 6 months old. Their daughter Angelique was born two years later, followed by Nicole in 1972.
Building a Business, Family, and Faith
From the beginning, the couple approached work and parenting as partners. Tony often worked two or three jobs before they purchased Brenner’s Pub in Uptown in 1973. Now known as William’s Pub, the neighborhood establishment became a favorite gathering place for local sports teams and residents, known for burgers, cold beer and Crystal’s homemade pizzas.
During heartfelt tributes from their children and family members, Tony reflected on the importance of forgiveness, faith and perseverance.
“You’re going to face mountains in life, from highs to lows, and that’s life,” Tony said. “Always remember to say you’re sorry. Never be afraid to apologize for your mistakes. Stay positive in your relationship and keep the faith, especially during sickness and difficult times.”
Crystal reflected on the importance of family, the joy of cherishing each family member and the memories they created together.
Each of the couple’s children shared lessons learned from their parents. Angelique thanked her father for teaching resilience and her mother for showing her what it means to be a loving wife and mother. Craig expressed gratitude to Tony for attending his sporting events and to Crystal for inspiring his love of mathematics. Nicole recalled childhood “sneak” sleepovers with cousin Alicia, hiding her in the back of the family car until they arrived home, and the support she received from her parents.
A Legacy of Service to the Twin Cities
As the riverboat cruised the historic Mississippi, guests reflected not only on the Berrymans’ six decades of marriage but also on their enduring contributions to the Twin Cities community. Tony later returned to U.S. military service, completing a combined 25 years in uniform. His service earned him recognition as U.S. Military NCO of the Year. As a Minneapolis Park Police officer, he received the AAA Safety Award, in addition to multiple commendations from the Minneapolis Police Department, a key to the city presented by then-Police Chief Janeé Harteau, and the proclamation of “Tony Berryman Day” on Oct. 4, 2013, for his work with the Police Activities League youth program. He also served for many years as a church deacon at True Apostolic Assembly, where the couple attended weekly service.
Crystal devoted much of her career to education, Native American advocacy and community development. As executive director and a leader with Heart of the Earth Survival School, Red School House and Migizi Communications, she specialized in grant writing, program development, assessment, reporting and culturally responsive education that expanded opportunities for Native American students and families.
Passing the Torch Across Generations
The Berrymans’ legacy lives on through their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Their family includes grandchildren Alexander and Nicolas Berryman; Trent Lewis and his wife, Kylee; Theodore and Nadia Lewis; Ava and Adrien Montout; Salvatore Geraci; Mia Kearney and her husband, Benjamin Kearney; and Gabrielle King and her husband, Alexander King; and great-grandchildren Rory and Brooks Kearney.
Their shared commitment to justice, civil rights, education, family and faith has inspired generations to pursue higher education, serve their communities and help others. For six decades, Tony and Crystal Berryman have demonstrated that enduring love is measured not simply by the length of a marriage, but by the lives they have enriched, the communities they have strengthened, and the legacy they continue to pass from one generation to the next.
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