Leo Berkowitz

Leo Berkowitz 91 of Fairlawn died July 20 2004. Leo was born June 20 1913 in Brooklyn New York. Though he had no formal education he was educated on the streets of New York where he developed a keen sense for business. He worked for Murphy & Dureau a bond brokerage firm located in the Manhattan financial district from 1929 to 1942. In 1942 he resigned from Murphy & Dureau and enlisted in the United States Army. He served in General George Patton's 3rd Army and rose to the rank of first sergeant. During the war he was stationed in Germany where he handled secret and confidential military communications. After the war he returned to New York and married Mollie Hirsch. They were married 20 years and had two children. He successfully owned and operated a National Car Rental franchise in Brooklyn until he retired in 1976. He relied heavily on his good common sense a great gift of gab and an old fashioned work ethic. He often boasted how he ''never missed a day of work in 30 years''. After retirement he settled here in Akron. He has been a resident at the Village at St. Edward's for the last eight years. He is survived by his daughter Susan (Tom) Weller son Arnold (Kathleen) Berkowitz grandson Andrew Berkowitz and granddaughters Lara and Amaris Weller. Military funeral services will be performed Friday 1:30 pm at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery Rabbi David Lipper will be officiating. Donations may be made to the WWII Veterans Monument 2300 Clarendon Boulevard Suite 501 Arlington Virginia 22201