1936 – 2019
Woodstock – Paul Daniel Berk, Jr., 82, died Thursday (February 7, 2019) at his home in Woodstock after an extended illness. He died peacefully, surrounded by his family.
Paul Jr. was born July 18, 1936 in Fullerton, PA and was the son of the late Paul and Alda (Meckes) Berk. In 1941 when Paul Jr. was five years old, the family moved to Connecticut when his father Paul D. Berk Sr. accepted a position as an experimental test pilot for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft. Paul Jr. resided and went to school in West Hartford and Wethersfield where he graduated from Wethersfield High School in 1954. He excelled in athletics in his student years and went on to letter in soccer for the University of Connecticut Huskies. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from UConn in 1960 and was a lifelong Huskies fan.
Paul Jr. also shared his father’s love for flying and enlisted in the US Air Force officer candidate school program as a pilot candidate in 1958. Paul Jr. loved flying with his father, and he talked fondly about the times they would fly to Long Island to land and have a cup of coffee and then take off and navigate their way to any other New England spot they wanted to visit that day before returning to Brainard Field.
Paul Jr. went on to build a long and successful career as a human resource professional, working for several large corporations until his retirement.
Mr. Berk enjoyed raising his family in the quiet corner of Woodstock and was very involved in his boys’ activities, including a youth basketball program he co-founded as well as the Woodstock Little League. He delighted in watching his boys and grandchildren build things and compete in the classroom, on the athletic field, and in life in general. He loved working on outdoor projects with his family. Paul was a longtime member of the Woodstock Lions Club and he also re-certified as a pilot and flew with the 43rd Flying Club. In his retirement years Paul enjoyed occasional cruise vacations with his wife Kathy and he especially treasured time shared with his loved ones at the family cottage in the Berkshires.
Mr. Berk is survived by his wife, Kathleen (Lannon) of Woodstock; three sons, Daniel and Jennifer Berk of Woodstock, Brian and Deborah Berk of Wake Forest, NC, and William and Andria Berk of Sherborn, MA; two sisters, Eileen Perry of Simsbury and Shirley Vallieres of East Hampton; a brother, Gary Berk of Portland. He also has six grandchildren, Patrick and Trisha Berk of Woodstock; Trevor and Dylan Berk of Wake Forest, NC; and Eddie and Charlie Berk of Sherborn, MA.
Visitation will take place at the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St. in Putnam on Sunday February 10th, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 11th, at 1:00 p.m. at the Gilman Funeral Home, followed by burial at the Elmvale Cemetery on Roseland Park Road in Woodstock. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the Shriners Hospital for Children, 110 Conn Ter., Lexington, KY 40508. For memorial guestbook please visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.
Sandra & Peter DiVincenzo
Dear Kathy and family,
Peter and I are so sorry to hear of Paul’s passing.
We are presently in Florida and unable to attend the services,. We have fond memories of our Woodstock years with our boys’ athletic events, etc.
Our sincere sympathy to you and your dear family.
Nick & Diand Botsacos
Gary, Karen and all of the Berk Family, we are so sorry to hear of Paul passing. Diane and I send our love and will keep you and Paul in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely
Nick and Diane Botsacos
Jane Duffany
Kathy: I am very sorry to hear of your husband’s passing. I hope you find comfort in your memories.
In Sympathy,
Jane Duffany
Lexy Clancy
Dearest Berk Family,
We are so very sorry to hear of Paul’s passing. The Obituary is so beautifully written. He lived such a good life.
May you all find comfort and peace
Love to this beautiful family, and to our friends, Gary and Karen.
Jack and Lexy Clancy
Mary Vollentine
So so sorry for your loss. We enjoyed him so much when we went to the lake. Know he will be with you forever. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Dave Alton
Dearest Berk Family,
My family and I would like to extend our deepiest condolence to you in this time of loss.
Dave and Sue Alton
Jay Campbell
Dear Berk Family,
So sorry to hear about Paul’s passing. He lived a great life and has a great family to show for it. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sharon Vincelette
Dear Kathy, Danny, Brian, and Billy
I’m so sorry for your loss. I have wonderful memories of our time at the lake with all of the kids and Gram and Poppy. Hope you find comfort within each other. Sharon
Sharon Vincelette
Dear Kathy, Danny, Brian and Billy
I was so sorry about Uncle Paul. We had wonderful times at the lake with all of the kids and Gram and Poppy. I hope being together will comfort you all. Sharon
Sharon
Dear Kathy, Dan, Brian and Billy,
I am very sorry for your loss. I remember the wonderful times we had up at the lake with Grammy and Poppy and all the kids together. You are in my prayers.
Best,
Sharon
Sharon Vincelette
Kathy, Dan, Brian and Billy,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I have so many happy memories of Grammy, Poppy and all of the kids up at the lake. Your family is my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Sharon
Liz seifel
I worked with Paul at Allstate ins for many years. A wonderful friend. So sorry Kathy. . Liz Mirkin seifel
Kirt and Donna Lundy
Gary, Karen and Family,
We are so sorry to learn of Paul’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. He was a lovely man and always so gracious to everyone who visited with you folks at the lake house. He will be missed.
Kirt and Donna Lundy and Family
Jack and Rosemary Diamond
Dear Kathy and family,
Jack and I are so sorry to hear of your loss. Jack and Paul had been friends sine high school. He will be missed
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Liz seifel
I worked with Paul at Allstate many years ago. . A wonderful friend. Kathy, so sorry for your loss. Liz Mirkin Seifel
Nathan Berk
Dear Kathy, Danny, Brian, Billy and families: We are so sorry for your loss. May our dear Lord give you strength and support at this sad time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Keep all the good memories of Paul in your hearts. We always enjoyed his visits to Pa. God bless all of you. Love Sandy and Nate Berk
Henry
Please accept my condolences for the passing of Paul. There is hope though, as the Almighty has arranged for the resurrection in the future. He promises, “… There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Acts 24:15)
I hope you find these few words comforting and provide motivation to prepare for the new world of God’s making. (John 17:3)
Sheila Brasile
Karen and Gary. So sorry for your loss. A sad time but I am sure he will be watching over you and family
Sheila & Steve
Jim Spencer
Kathy and family, So sorry to learn of your loss. Our deepest condolences to you all. Jim & Ann Spencer