Irving "Pete" Berger, a 71-year resident of Las Vegas, passed away at his home on May 11, 2026, at the age of 97. Pete was born on June 4, 1928, to Ida and Samuel Berger in the Bronx, New York. He was the youngest of six children. In the Bronx, he attended Samuel Gompers High School, and, at age 14, met the love of his life, Florence "Dolly" (Alvarez). Seven years later, in 1950, they married, marking a beautiful 59-year marriage until her passing in 2009. They had one daughter, Cynthia, born in 1960. Pete joined the Air Force in 1948, was trained as a radar technician, and served a two-year tour in Japan during the Korean War. During his tenure, he received several service and good conduct medals as well as a Presidential Unit Citation. In 1952, he received an honorable discharge from the Air Force. He returned to New York, but in 1955, he and Dolly decided to move to California. On their way there, they stopped in Las Vegas, liked what they saw, and never left. Once in Las Vegas, Pete started working as a cargo agent for TWA, but the draw of the casino business prompted him to enroll in dealing school, which he attended after work. He broke into the casino business in 1957, launching a career that would span nearly seven decades. His first dealing jobs were downtown, but he got his big break on the Strip in 1958, opening the Stardust Hotel. Pete worked in numerous hotels through the years, including the Sahara; the Aladdin; the Bonanza, where he was a junket coordinator; Circus Circus; the Silver Slipper; the MGM, where he ran their VIP casino, The Metro Club; the Tropicana; the Dunes; Bourbon Street, and the Hard Rock. He spent the last 29 years working as a pit boss with his son-in-law, Gary Ellis, at Ellis Island Casino. He worked until a month before his passing. His favorite part of the job was getting to work with his three granddaughters in the family business. Pete was an avid Yankee fan and loved music - especially Frank Sinatra. But most precious to him was his family, always speaking of his "girls" with great pride and devotion. He will always be remembered for his gregarious nature and his big smile. Pete was preceded in death by his parents, his five siblings and his wife. He is survived by his daughter Cynthia Ellis (Gary); granddaughters Christina Ellis-Stalker (Aaron), Anamarie Ellis and Michaela Ellis; and great-granddaughter Eleanor Josephine Stalker. Services will be held at Temple Beth Shalom, 10700 Havenwood Lane, Las Vegas, Nevada 89135, on Wednesday, May 20, at 10:30 a.m., followed by the interment at Palm Eastern Mortuary and Cemetery, 7600 S. Eastern Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada 89123, and a celebration of his life, which will be announced at the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks those who wish to express sympathy to make a donation to the Nathan Adelson Hospice in Pete's memory.