Saratoga Springs - Jack Berkowitz, age 99, former proprietor of Mr. Jack's for Him and for Her on Broadway, died peacefully on Sunday, October 15, 2017 at his Saratoga Springs home.

Born in New York City to Anna and Joseph Berkowitz, he was raised in Greenwich, NY with his three younger sisters Dorothy, Beatrice and Grace. Jack was a graduate of Greenwich, NY High School, attended the University of Pittsburgh and was a proud graduate of the University of Vermont. An ROTC graduate, during World War II, he was stationed in the Midwest. Upon his father's sudden death, Jack returned home to support his family in the family poultry business.

It was on one of his business trips to Saratoga Springs, he was introduced to Selma of Saratoga Springs whom he eventually married in 1947. Their marriage was a true partnership in love and business.

After World War II, Jack and his brother in law Gerald Selig started an Army Navy store on Broadway in Saratoga. The business evolved and Jack became the sole proprietor of the Variety Store at 425 Broadway, a clothing store of stylish men's apparel.

While the business thrived, the couple had two children, Judith and Sande.

A large fire at Starbuck's Department store on Broadway, caused massive smoke damage to the store and the renovations also brought a new store name. There was a citywide contest to change the name of the store and Mr. Jack's, for Him was selected. As the business grew, women's clothing was also added and the store morphed into Mr. Jack's for Him and for Her in an enlarged store. The store was a fixture on 425-429 Broadway for nearly 40 years. Jack or "Mr. Jack" as he was often called, ran the men's business while Selma, "Mrs. Jack" directed the women's business. The couple's fashions dressed thousands of Saratogians, Skidmore girls, celebrities at SPAC and of course, countless tourists. Their employees became their extended family. Jack gave many students their first job and he kept in touch with many over the years.

Jack and Selma, avid sports enthusiasts of golf, skiing, swimming and tennis, brought indoor tennis to Saratoga when they opened the Saratoga Racquet Club in Wilton in the 1970s. One of the thrills of Jack's life was playing tennis with NY Senator Jacob Javits.

Upon selling the store, the couple retired in the early 1980s and wintered at Delray Beach, FL. The couple was married for 66 years as Selma died in 2013.

Jack was a member of the Saratoga Springs Chamber of Commerce, the city's Planning Board and he was instrumental in making the vision of the Saratoga Civic Center a reality.

He served on the board of the Retail Council of New York State. He was a longtime member of Congregation Shaara Tfille, B'nai Brith, Saratoga-Wilton Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks Lodge #161 and the Saratoga Springs Lions Club. For many years he was a member of McGregor Country Club in Wilton, NY where he once won the club championship, Saratoga Golf and Polo Club and Gleneagles Country Club in Delray Beach, FL.

Jack is survived by his sister Dorothy Maneri of Silver Spring, MD, his daughters Judith Zassenhaus (Harold) of Saratoga Springs and Bethesda, MD, and Sande Weiskopf (Robert) of Sudbury, MA. His four grandchildren are Eric Zassenhaus of Los Angeles, CA, Liza Zassenhaus (Dr. David Lieberman) of Atherton, CA, Judd Weiskopf (Stacey) of Boston, MA and Dr. Kipp Weiskopf (Elizabeth) of Brookline, MA. His four great grandchildren are Sydney, Jonah and Zoe Lieberman and Clara Weiskopf. Christa Selig of Boca Raton, FL is his surviving sister in law while Dr. Franklin Rapp is his surviving brother in law.  He also has several nieces and one nephew.

He is predeceased by his sister Beatrice Rosenberg (Alex) of Bethesda, MD , Grace Priceman (Harvey) of Rochester, NY and his brothers in law Gerald Selig of Saratoga Springs, Charles Maneri of Tantallon, MD, Benson Levine of W. Hartford, CT, his sisters in law Evalyn Selig,  Barbara Rapp of Saratoga Springs and his beloved wife, Selma.

Debbie Warner, Rianna Whately and Rose Travis have been Jack's caretakers for years and the family is forever grateful for their wonderful care.

Funeral services will be held at 3pm Tuesday (October 17) at Congregation Shaara Tfille, 84 Weibel Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY. Burial will follow in the Jewish Community Center Cemetery.

Friends and relatives may pay their respects at the Shiva at 7 pm Tuesday, October 17 at the Berkowitz residence.

Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway (518-584-5373).

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be made to the Wesley Health Care Center, 131 Lawrence St., or to Congregation Shaara Tfille, 84 Weibel Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.