In Memory of
Robert A. Berckes
June 1, 1929
– August 1, 2022
Obituary
On
Monday Aug.1, 2022 Robert Berckes began a new
journey to join his wife Adelia and our Father in
heaven. Bob was born in Jersey City, NJ on June 1,
1929 to Robert and Marie Berckes. He was the first son
of their four children. He graduated Dickinson High
school and after working for a couple years joined the
US Army in 1951.
After completing his
military service, he was accepted and joined the Port
Authority as a police officer. He would hold several
different positions with the PA throughout his career.
He was also a member and served on the Police Benevolent
Association Board. He was the last remaining member of
their motorcycle unit and he was most proud of his
$25.00 award he received for suggesting putting down a
second stripe inside the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels to
create more safety space between lanes. He retired from
the job in 1974.
On August 15, 1954, he met Adelia Sturnick and after
proposing on their 2nd date, they married May 28, 1955.
Moving to Secaucus, NJ, they created a home for their
family, built many friendships, and became active in the
local community.
Not one to sit back and relax, Bob’s retirement years
brought him more adventures. He realized his boyhood
dreams by becoming a part of his two sports loves, Notre
Dame and the NY Yankees. While working at the Sheraton
Inn during the late 70s’ and early 80s’, he became very
friendly with many of the NY Yankees who stayed there
during the season. He was such a part of that group,
that he was invited and joined the celebration party
after the Chambliss’ HR for the ‘76 American League
title. He also managed to chauffeur George Steinbrenner
a few times while he lived in Florida. George remembered
and teased him for getting his players drunk when he
worked the Sheraton.
Traveling the country, he and his wife Adelia met Fr.
Pat Neary after mass while visiting the University of
Notre Dame. This would lead to the Berckes/Neary
families forging a lasting relationship through the
years often visiting each other in Jersey or Indiana.
Bob and Adelia celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary
and renewed their vows at the Log Chapel on the Notre
Dame Campus. Bob, family and friends would make
pilgrimages back to Notre Dame attending football games
and celebrations.
He met Fr. Hesburgh and Fr. Molloy and well as several
football coaches and players. His letters of advice and
counsel sent to coaches were answered and they shared
their respective thoughts on his input back. Bob
actually had the kids on his Secaucus school bus route
sing the Notre Dame Fight song and sent the cassette to
Coach Holtz.
He also served the Secaucus community as a school bus
driver for 17 years. A job he loved a great deal and
cared deeply for all the children on his bus. He knew
each of their names and would often offer words of
wisdom and advice.
Bob was pre-deceased by his wife Adelia, his parents and
his oldest sisters Dorothy Lang and Eleanor Walty. His
brother Richard survives him. His legacy will carry on
through his children: John, his wife Theresa, Patricia
Fugnitti, her husband Tom, and Janet Grecco-Vaughan, her
husband Brit. He was a loving and very proud grandfather
to Meika Franz and husband Warren, Marie Crouch and
husband Justin, Michelle Berckes, Morgan Alger and
husband Thomas John, Thomas Fugnitti and his wife Alyssa
and Allison Fugnitti, Jensen and Keir Vaughan. He was
also a loving Great-Pop Pop to Biba Franz and Charlotte,
Juliette and Joseph Crouch, Thomas Robert and Bridgette
Alger and Nate Gardner.
“Uncle Bob” to the local neighborhood and especially to
Carol Mokrzycki, Eleanor Racz, Robert Lang, Kathleen
Kilpatrick, Richie and Michael Berckes, Linda Dobson,
Jackie Cervalo, their spouses and children. Bob was
known for always having a word or smile to offer.
Whether they be friends or those who just happen to be
sitting in a restaurant or casino, walking along the
street, he always had a smile and words of
encouragement. He will be remembered for his love of
family, friends, Notre Dame, the Yankees, Atlantic City
and being breaker of back scratchers. His spirit and
passion for life was always driven by one of his
favorite sayings, “We’re not here for a long time; we
are here for a good time.” Bob did both.
Visitation will be Sunday, August 7, from 3-7pm at Mack
Memorial Home, 1245 Paterson Plank Road, Secaucus, NJ. A
Funeral Mass will be held Monday, August 8, at 9:30am at
Immaculate Conception Church in Secaucus. Interment to
follow at BG William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery,
Wrightstown, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, Bob would want you to celebrate his
life with “Raising a glass, yell “Go Irish” and finish
off with some Hershey mini-chocolate bars.
“Case Closed”
Mack Memorial Home
