Robert G. Berkel

04/06/2006

Robert G. Berkel, 83, of Lee Road died yesterday at home. Born in Mineola, N.Y., on Jan. 25, 1923, son of Gustav and Jennie Rein Berkel, he was educated in Freeport, N.Y., schools and was a 1941 graduate of Freeport High School. Mr. Berkel served with the Coast Guard, stationed in the Philippines during World War II. After the war, he went to work for Exxon-Mobile and was employed by them for forty years, retiring in 1981. An ongoing Yankees fan, he moved to the Berkshires in 1971 from Seaford, LI. Upon retiring he became a golfer and for many years was the treasurer of the Alford Fire Department. He leaves his wife of 61 years, the former Eleanor Mary Bauer, whom he married Feb. 12, 1944, at home. Besides his wife, he leaves three daughters, Virginia Titterton of Garden City, N.Y., Joanne Pavoni of Housatonic, Marianne Gilardi of Pittsfield; two sons, Robert Berkel Jr. of Burlington, Vt., and Donald Berkel of New London, Conn.; two sisters, Althea MacDonald and Joan Collings, both of Cape Cod; seven grandchildren, and three step-grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- Funeral services for Robert G. Berkel, who died Thursday, April 6, 2006, will be Saturday, April 8, from BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME at 9:15 a.m. with a Liturgy of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Peter's Church, Great Barrington. He leaves his beloved wife, Eleanor, at home; five children, Virginia Titterton of Garden City, N.Y, Robert Berkel Jr. of Burlington, Vt., Donald Berkel and his wife Katherine of New London, Conn., Joanne Pavoni and her husband Richard of Housatonic, and Marianne Gilardi and her husband Michael of Pittsfield; two sisters, Athea MacDonald and Joan Collings, both of Cape Cod; seven loving grandchildren, Christopher, Jason, Michael, Stephanie, Brian, Phobe and Kaitlyn, and three step-grandchildren, Michelle, Janine and Scott. In lieu of flowers, those who desire may make memorial contributions to HospiceCare in the Berkshires in care of the funeral home, 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. He was predeceased by a brother, Gus Berkel. A devoted family man, he treasured the time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren, watching ice hockey, soccer and baseball games, as well as his granddaughters' dance recitals.

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