Loving Cup recipient Darryl Berger greets guests during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Louellen Berger smiles as she is recognized as Darryl Berger’s biggest inspiration during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Loving Cup recipient Darryl Berger kisses his wife of 49 years Louellen Berger during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Recipient of the 2021 Loving Cup Gayle Benson claps during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com owner John Georges poses with Loving Cup recipient Darryl Berger during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Photo by Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune)
President and CEO of the Audubon Nature Institute Ron Forman and the Times-Picayune | NOLA.com owner John Georges poses during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Louellen and Darryl Berger pose with the Loving Cup during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Darryl credits his wife Louellen as his inspiration.
President and CEO of the Audubon Nature Institute Ron Forman hugs Loving Cup recipient Darryl Berger during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Louellen and Darryl Berger pose with their grandkids during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Former Louisiana governor John Bel Edwards watches as Darryl Berger is presented with the Times-Picayune Loving Cup at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Loving Cup recipient Darryl Berger speaks about his love for New Orleans during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Recipient of the 2006 Loving Cup Ruthie Frierson attends the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com owner John Georges speaks during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Louellen and Darryl Berger pose with the Loving Cup during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Darryl credits his wife Louellen as his inspiration.
The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com owner John Georges speaks as the paper’s editor Rene Sanchez and Loving Cup recipient Darryl Berger sit on the stage during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com editor Rene Sanchez and owner John Georges congratulate Darryl Berger as he stands up to give a response as the recipient of the Loving Cup during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
The Berger family poses during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Programs are offered at the door during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Loving Cup recipient Darryl Berger greets guests during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Louellen Berger smiles as she is recognized as Darryl Berger’s biggest inspiration during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Recipient of the 2021 Loving Cup Gayle Benson claps during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Louellen and Darryl Berger pose with the Loving Cup during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Darryl credits his wife Louellen as his inspiration.
President and CEO of the Audubon Nature Institute Ron Forman hugs Loving Cup recipient Darryl Berger during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Louellen and Darryl Berger pose with their grandkids during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Former Louisiana governor John Bel Edwards watches as Darryl Berger is presented with the Times-Picayune Loving Cup at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Loving Cup recipient Darryl Berger speaks about his love for New Orleans during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Recipient of the 2006 Loving Cup Ruthie Frierson attends the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com owner John Georges speaks during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Louellen and Darryl Berger pose with the Loving Cup during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Darryl credits his wife Louellen as his inspiration.
The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com owner John Georges speaks as the paper’s editor Rene Sanchez and Loving Cup recipient Darryl Berger sit on the stage during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com editor Rene Sanchez and owner John Georges congratulate Darryl Berger as he stands up to give a response as the recipient of the Loving Cup during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
The Berger family poses during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Programs are offered at the door during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Real estate developer and philanthropist Darryl Berger received The Times-Picayune Loving Cup for 2023 Thursday night at an awards presentation crowded with family and friends, business and civic leaders, university presidents, past Loving Cup recipients and, even, a former governor, John Bel Edwards.
“I need only look out in this audience to see former Loving Cup recipients, all giants in community service, and I am truly humbled to even be considered to be added to a list that includes these remarkable New Orleanians,” Berger told those gathered at the Audubon Tea Room.
Since 1901, the Loving Cup has been bestowed to men and women who have worked unselfishly for the community without expectation of public recognition or material reward.
Berger’s influence on New Orleans is easy to see in real, physical terms. As a young developer in the 1970s and 1980s, his real estate development and investment firm, The Berger Company, was involved in such game-changing projects as the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, Jax Brewery, the Windsor Court Hotel and the Westin Canal Place, among others.
The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com owner John Georges poses with Loving Cup recipient Darryl Berger during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Photo by Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune)
But his influence has been equally profound in the establishment of organizations that are integral parts of the community and would likely not exist were it not for his involvement. He was a founding member and the first chairperson of the French Quarter Management District, the Vieux Carré Commission Foundation and the French Quarter Festival.
He was also a founding member and past board chair of University Medical Center.
Times-Picayune Executive Editor Rene Sanchez noted the array of contributions Berger has made to the city.
“The list goes on and on and on,” he said. “In all of it, Darryl has always been a founding force or guiding force — or both.”
Berger said he has felt humbled, appreciative and excited since learning of his selection earlier this spring. He gave particular thanks for his wife of 49 years, Louellen Berger, who “has the biggest and purest heart of anyone I have ever known.”
“Louellen, this Loving Cup is a totally shared award, and I would argue that you deserve the lion’s share,” he said.
Loving Cup recipient Darryl Berger kisses his wife of 49 years Louellen Berger during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
While Berger’s civic endeavors are near and dear to his heart, his service to the institutions that educated him mean the most, he said. He has served as board chair of Isidore Newman School, where he attended elementary and high school; Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he attended college, and Tulane University, where he attended law school.
“Serving those institutions is an honor and a privilege,” Berger said. “All I am doing is making small payments against a lifetime debt that I can never fully repay.”
Berger was presented with the Loving Cup by Sanchez and John Georges, who owns the Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate with his wife, Dathel Georges.
Longtime childhood friend Ron Forman joined those in celebrating Berger.
“This award is the most prestigious award given in this city — it’s a lifetime achievement award and there are few people more worthy than Darryl,” Forman said.
Berger nearly choked up more than once delivering his remarks. He closed by reflecting on his love for the city, and about what excites him most: “waking up every day and being a New Orleanian, …where citizens share a joyful, common, joie de vivre, a special bond and special love.”
Berger said it reminded him of the line from Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World,” about friends shaking hands, saying how do you do, when what they’re really saying, is “I love you.”
One of those distinctly New Orleans, joie-de-vivre moments spontaneously closed out the gathering: businessman-turned-crooner Ronnie Lamarque took to the mic and belted out his rendition of the Armstrong classic.
Members of the 2023 Loving Cup selection committee were Barry Kern, Arkesha Baquet, Eddie Compass, Dian Winingder and Mike Sherman.
President and CEO of the Audubon Nature Institute Ron Forman and the Times-Picayune | NOLA.com owner John Georges poses during the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Presentation at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans, Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Email Stephanie Riegel at stephanie.riegel@theadvocate.com.
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
News Tips:
nolanewstips@theadvocate.com
Other questions:
subscriberservices@theadvocate.com
Need help?
Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.
We recommend switching to one of the following browsers:
