Leonard D. Berkowitz

-Leonard David Berkowitz, on the immortality of writing

Leonard David Berkowitz, known as “Len” or “Lenny,” born May 17, 1938, passed away peacefully at home on December 18, 2025. Len, surviving a decade long battle with cancer, continued his fight and celebrated his husband Howie’s birthday. Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Len’s determination and compassion began through his professional and personal experiences within Education and Theatre. Touring as a lead actor on Broadway’s Summer Stock, starring in numerous productions and plays, opportunity landed him on the stage. However, Len’s desire to help others combined with administration prowess, led him to become a force of positivity and love through New York City Schools, including as a Speech and Language Director, School Clinical Counselor, and School Administrator. After also serving in the National Guard and traveling the world with Howie and friends, including summers in the south of France, Len’s creativity pulled him back to the stage. As a playwright, Len wrote six shows, two of which were optioned in Broadway and off-Broadway productions. One special play, Karen, earned him the Carbonell nomination as Best Newcomer Playwright and had extended run at the Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami, FL, as well as the Marty and Michele Cohen Arts Building in East Hampton, New York. His scripts and characters remind each one of us how important it is as humans that we accept each other, love each other well, and always be true to who we are.

Len’s biggest legacy is his example of love and loyalty alongside his husband Howard Goldman. Their near seventy-year relationship began as a grade school friendship in Brooklyn. One moment during a showing of Mondo Cane, a friendship became a love story. Len and Howie’s adventures include living in three cities: the countryside of Bridgehampton, New York City, and Fort Lauderdale. Their endless stories include that of friendships based on chemistry, meeting people around the world, as well as caring for others above themselves.

Len is survived by his lessons that live on in each person he has impacted. Love is the constant in the equation of life, it always balances. Never assume, always verify. Never think of outcomes; enjoy the experience. Titles don’t matter as much as people. Never count in years, only in memories. There cannot be progress without collaboration. Be grateful to God and kind to others. It is always “we, and never I.” Take your sun whenever you can. It is never goodbye, but see you soon. And always, always get a receipt.

A special thank you is given to the Sylvester Cancer Center Doctors, Nurses and Staff for your endless care. Also, sincere gratitude for all the personal connections, support, and story shared with Len from every person he has met. Your lives, details, wishes, and hopes were thought of and considered often by Len. If he knew you, he loved you.

“What if I were to tell you that life was neither logical nor predictable. That your realistic characters were no more than pawns, manipulated by an arbitrary fate. That there are gaps in logical reasoning because life itself is illogical. Either we reconcile ourselves to this fact, or go insane. Am I any less of a novelist than you? Just a novelist of another genre. Another side of reality.”

Visit: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1TTCLe1q2ijuq6vxj95J0LkQKGe8amzTI to listen to Lenny's audio clip of this message.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the KRAEER - FAIRCHILD FUNERAL HOME, 4061 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale.