Moise Emil Berger

Moise E. Berger of San Diego, California passed away August 24, 2017 in San Diego, two weeks following a brain injury he received in a fall.

Moise was born November 20, 1931 in San Francisco, California to Emil and Jeanne Levy Berger; and later moved to Kingman, AZ where he spent his grade school and part of his high school years. His senior year in high school, he graduated from Brown Military Academy in San Diego. Moise went on to graduate from University of California, Berkeley with a degree in political science. While at Berkeley, he rowed crew, boxed, played basketball, and qualified for US Olympics in fencing.

After enlisting in the Coast Guard, Yeoman Berger learned to type really fast! An avid weapons expert, he competed on the USCG Pistol Team. He was accepted to Officer Candidate School and became a skipper on 83’ patrol boats. He left active service as a LTJG on board the USCGC IVY. Following Korean War Service, Moise then returned to school and earned his law degree from University of Arizona at Tucson, College of Law.

Moise was a well-known and respected attorney in both Arizona and California. As Maricopa County Attorney in Arizona, Moise had a distaste for plea-bargaining criminals. He took pride in taking cases to trial. Early in his career, Moise was the prosecutor in the famous retrial of convicted rapist Ernesto Miranda, for which the "Miranda Rights" developed.

During his two terms as County Attorney, he was also a reservist police officer for the Phoenix Police Department. At the end of his second term in office, Moise moved to San Diego to become a law school professor. After his retirement from teaching, he became a private investigator. In later years, Moise took an interest into searching for M.I.A. soldiers. He would often do pro bono legal work for veterans.

Moise loved flying in Arizona and California. He ultimately earned his commercial and multi-engine pilots ratings. He volunteered to teach ground school for Aviation Explorer Post 1011. He was also a Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 324 in La Mesa, CA.

Moise loved sailing, taking his sailboat out on Lake Pleasant in Arizona. After moving to San Diego, he got a larger sailboat to enjoy sailing on San Diego Bay and Mission Bay.

Moise is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Noreen, his daughters Kathleen Pishny of Santee, CA, Victoria (Larry) McMurray of McKinney, TX, and his son, Michael (Suzette) Berger of Sherman CT. Moise is also survived by six grandchildren: Rebecca, Rachel, and Anika Berger; Sarah and Evan Pishny; and Brent McMurray. He is survived by two stepchildren, Craig and Tammy Levitt of San Diego; and a brother, Leon Berger of Needles, CA. Moise was preceded in death by his parents.

An intimate memorial service with close family will be held in San Diego, with interment at a later date in Gaylordsville, CT.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:

Wounded Warrior Project www.woundedwarriorproject.org

National League of POW/MIA Families www.pow-miafamilies.org

Relay for Life, American Cancer Society www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/relay-for-life.html