Irving Berkowitz

Irving Harold Berkowitz, 90, a lifelong resident of Belleville, died Jan. 14, 2015. 

Mr. Berkowitz ran Thrifty Fabrics in Belleville and then became a partner in Atlantic Uniform.

A decorated World War II veteran who participated in the Normandy D-Day Invasion, he was a junior vice commander of Jewish War Veterans of the USA from 1982 to 1987 and a senior vice commander from 1988 until his death. 

He was president of Congregation Ahavath Achim in Belleville for 14 years and helped orchestrate its merger with B’nai Shalom in West Orange in 2001, after which he served on B’nai Shalom’s board of trustees and construction committee. 

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In 1996, he volunteered on a two-month teaching project for Hadassah in Netanya and Jerusalem.

He also volunteered for the Children’s Institute in Verona and Clara Maass Hospital, where he served as a volunteer representative on the bioethics committee. 

He is survived by his wife, Frieda; his daughter, Carol Palmer; and a grandson.

Services were held Jan. 16 with arrangements by Jewish Memorial Chapel, Clifton.