Obituary: Barry Berkowitz, age 82

The Island Now
Longtime Great Neck resident Barry Berkowitz passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 31. (Photo courtesy of the Great Neck Public Schools District)

Barry Berkowitz, a 42-year resident of Great Neck, passed away on Jan. 31 at the age of 82. Despite being ill for the past few years, his death was sudden and unexpected.

Barry’s wife, Barbara, says that her husband had three wishes: he wanted to be remaining in his house forever, he wanted to work as long as he was able, and he wanted to be around his wife and son. “At the very end, all three wishes were fulfilled.”

Barry, who was born on Mar. 6, 1937, enjoyed a more than 50-year career in the garment industry, devoting the majority of that time to only two companies. He was a well-known retail buyer, often referred to as a legend in the business.

“People continue to ask about him, even though he retired several years ago,” Barbara said.

It was at work in 1973 that he met Barbara, the love of his life. The two were co-workers at the time, and Barbara says she knew on the first day they were introduced that she was going to marry Barry.

The couple wed in 1976, and they bought their first and only house in Great Neck in 1978. “Barry used to say that he would only buy a house if it was less than a 30-minute commute into the city, and didn’t have much grass so that he wouldn’t spend his weekends mowing the lawn,” Barbara said.

Barry appreciated the simple pleasures in life: watching and betting on football on television; drinking Tropicana orange juice with ice, through a straw; sitting outside for hours with the paper; listening loudly to his cherished transistor radio, and growing tomato plants that reached up to the upstairs bedroom.

These pastimes along with his love for Phantom of the Opera and singing Broadway tunes with the rest of the family are among the many things about which he was playfully teased.

Barry was also a veteran, having served as a medic in the US Army Reserves.

Barry leaves behind his loving family, including his wife Barbara, who cared for him during his illnesses while also serving as long-time president of the Great Neck Board of Education; his son Brian, who chose Barry as the best man for his wedding, and enjoyed countless hours discussing sports and statistics with his father; his daughter-in-law Meagan, who quickly learned that brunch in the Berkowitz household could last for hours, full of singing along to Broadway show tunes, and always the aroma of Barry’s burnt coffee; and two precious grandchildren whom Barry adored, Brody and Connor, who affectionately called their grandfather “BooBoo.”

Barry will also be missed by many close friends who adored and loved him.

Submitted by the Great Neck Public Schools District

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