Daniel Berkowitz

Dan (who was called "Davie", until discovering upon entering the army that his real name was Daniel) was a longtime resident of Lakewood, New Jersey. He was born and grew up in the Bronx, his parents having emigrated there from Hungary in the early part of the 20th century.

Dan's higher education began in New York City, where he attended New York Community College, receiving training in Culinary Arts. After serving in the Armed Forces he attended at Iowa State University, graduating with a degree in Food Sciences. Armed with this expertise he went back into the Service, this time stationed in Germany as a Food Technologist, and contributed to the development of the first MRE meals for soldiers during the Viet Nam War.

Dan's outstanding reputation as a food scientist spread far and wide, and for the rest of his career he held positions for government and industry throughout the country, living in California, Chicago, and Massachusetts. He eventually retired to Leisure Village in New Jersey to live closer to his younger sister. It was there that he met his longtime partner Mary Frank, at the time the Director of the Leisure Village Westinaires, a chorus where Dan sang as a baritone.

Personally, Dan was a warm, genial man with a wonderful sense of humor and a winning smile. He delighted friends and family with his delicious entrees and exquisite baked desserts at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and served as the family expert on nutrition, sharing his treasure trove of research articles about the importance of dietary factors in maintaining health. He was also an avid reader, passionate about current events and biography. He will be very much missed.

Dan was predeceased by his older brother, Murray, and is survived by his sister Jeannie and brother-in-law Eddie, four nephews and one niece, and his devoted partner of 24 years, Mary Frank.