HAROLD BERKEY

BERKEY--Harold D.,

90, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at his home in Bayside, New York on March 20, 2017. Harold was raised in the Bronx, New York, where he was a charter member of the Trojans social club and graduated from James Monroe High School. He enlisted in the Army in 1944 and served honorably in the Army Air Corps. Upon return from duty, he attended New York University, where he was a member of its swim team, and earned his Bachelors in Engineering degree in 1948. He married his Bronx sweetheart, Mildred, in 1949. They first resided in Springfield, MA before returning to New York City, where he enjoyed a distinguished career with Berkey Photo, Inc. and other photo industry leaders. In 1954, Harold and Mildred moved to Bayside, where he raised his three sons and joined The Jewish Center of Bayside Oaks. His lifelong commitment to JCBO (now Jewish Center of Oak Hills) included serving as President, as a board member for many years, and as Treasurer through 2016. His varied interests included reading, tutoring and mentoring college students, acting in community theater, passionate playing of handball, paddleball and tennis, and supporting Israel and various Jewish causes. In retirement, he especially enjoyed spending time with friends and family, and playing cards, tennis and golf at Gleneagles Country Club in Delray Beach, Florida. His ready smile, sharp wit, dancing skills, honesty, and Jewish moral values set the standard for his family. Harold is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Mildred, two sons, David (Rachel) and Mitchell (Mara), and four beloved grandchildren, Michael (Sarah), Jessica (Adam), Adam and Jared. He was predeceased by his parents, Isidore and Lena, two brothers, Hyman and Benjamin, his sister, Rhea, and a beloved son, Jeffrey. Services will be held at Sinai Chapels, 162-05 Horace Harding Expressway, Fresh Meadows, NY, on March 21, 2017 at 12:30pm, followed by interment at Cedar Park Cemetery, in Paramus, NJ. Shiva will be observed at the family home, Apt. 4E, 23-50 Water's Edge Drive, Bayside, NY, on March 21, from 6:30pm to 9:00pm, and on the following day from 3:30pm to 8:30pm; at Mara and Mitchell's home, 3 Vista Terrace, Livingston, NJ, on March 23 from 2pm to 5pm and from 6pm to 9pm, and on March 24 from 2pm to 6pm; and at Rachel and David's home, 68 South Road, Harrison, NY, on March 26 from 3pm to 8:30pm. Memorial donations may be made in Harold Berkey's memory with the Jewish National Fund www.jnf.org or call 888-563-0099 for the planting of trees in Israel and/or with the UJA Federation New York: (ujafedny.org/ donate/) or call 212-836-1486.