Dr. Gerald Berkowitz

Berkowitz, Dr. Gerald, 86, of Delray Beach and formerly of Utica, New York, passed away on March 27, 2008, after a long illness. He was born and raised in Utica and was educated in the city school system there. In addition to high achievement in academics at the secondary level, he was a violinist in the Utica Symphony Orchestra for four years. After high school, he attended Ohio State University at the undergraduate level and went on to receive his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from OSU in 1945. He subsequently completed a one-year Residency in Pediatric Dentistry at the Guggenheim Clinic in New York City. In 1946, Dr. Berkowitz was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Medical Corps and served at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. Following that assignment he was stationed in Berlin, Germany, where he served in the U.S. Army of Occupation. He received an honorable discharge as a Captain in 1948. After completion of his Army service, Dr. Berkowitz practiced general dentistry in Utica before retiring to Florida 23 years ago. He was a distinguished leader in the Utica Jewish Community there and served on numerous boards of charitable organizations, including President of the United Jewish Appeal, President of Israel Bonds, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Utica Jewish Community Center and Temple Beth El. In addition, he participated in numerous leadership missions to Israel and served as a dentist on a volunteer basis in the development town, Sederot, in 1985. He was a devoted and loving leader of his family and always put their welfare first, giving of his advice, support and wisdom to his children and grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents, Hyman and Bessie Berkowitz; brother, Dr. Marvin Berkowitz; and great-grandson, Max Simon. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Hilda; son, Mark Berkowitz of Boca Raton; daughters, Ellen (Steven) Simon of Miami and Robin (Dr. Bliss) Clark of Harlingen, TX; grandsons, Dr. David (Dr. Katherine) Simon of Austin, TX, Andrew Simon of New York City, Jonas Goldsmith of San Diego; and granddaughter, Hilary Goldsmith of New York City. Chapel services are Sunday, March 30th at 11:45 a.m. at Star of David, 7701 Bailey Road, North Lauderdale. Interment will follow at Bailey Memorial Gardens, 7801 Bailey Road, North Lauderdale. (954-722-9000)