Jim Berwick

Earl James “Jim” Berwick III, born May 13, 1940, died peacefully at home on December 25, 2023 at the age of 83. Jim will always be lovingly remembered as a devoted family man and successful business owner who greeted everyone with warmth and a big hello.

Jim was born in Detroit to the late Earl J. Berwick II and Alma E. (Drury) Berwick. In 1962, Jim skipped his University of Michigan graduation to marry the love of his life, Kathleen. They lived most of their married life in Southfield and Beverly Hills, MI and raised three children; Earl “Jay” (Melissa) Berwick IV, Cheryl (Martin) Heiss and Gary (Jennifer) Berwick. Jim cherished his role as Grandpa to Allison (Brian) Kurzawa, Nicole Berwick, Carolyn Berwick, Maggie (Andrew Seung) Berwick, Lizzie (James Neill) Berwick, Christian Heiss, Brendan Heiss, and Ethan Heiss.

He is survived by Kathleen, his brother R. Jeffrey (Allison Campbell) Berwick of Southfield, MI, sister Mary Berwick of Las Vegas, NV, the Heyes, Stapleton, Pratt and Crosier families. He was preceded in death by brothers William and Jon.

After graduating from Detroit Redford High School in 1958, he went on to study finance at U of M, where he was a member of the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity. Many Saturdays were spent cheering on his favorite team. Go Blue! He also had season tickets to the Tigers for 42 years and went to 40 straight Opening Day games.

Jim served for 56 years as the President of Compressor Engineering Corporation, which sells and services industrial air compressors. Jim was also known for his daily driver Corvette cars. He owned a 1974 chocolate brown, then 1984 silver, blue in 1996 and finally he got the color right with a red 2008. He was a member of America’s Corvette Club. He frequently would let neighborhood kids take the car for a spin when they turned 16. The grandkids would borrow it for special occasions and always returned it without any scratches or dents.

Jim was a member of St. David’s Episcopal Church and served as treasurer for many years, and then Christ Church Cranbrook where he was a member of the finance committee. You could hear his deep bass voice singing on Sundays. He was active in the Southfield Jaycees, Cubmaster for Troop 1697 at Birmingham’s Evergreen Elementary, and supported many local charities.

The family would like to thank the Blossom Ridge Assisted Living staff for providing wonderful care to Jim. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or Cass Community Social Services.

Visitation will be held Saturday, January 20, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Pixley Funeral Home, 322 W University Dr. Rochester, MI 48307.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, January 21, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Christ Church Cranbrook, 470 Church Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304.