Obit Berckman

Jim Berckman, Head of Security For City Board of Education
Korean War Vet; Sgt on the Gloucester City Police Department

James J. Berckman, of Gloucester City passed away on December 31, 2006 at the age of 76.

Jim was born in Woodbury and was a 1947 graduate of Gloucester Catholic High School. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict from 1951 to 1953. James returned to Gloucester City and joined the Gloucester City Fire Department from January 1, 1955 to September 1955. He then became a Police Officer with the Gloucester City Police Department from 1955 to 1982 when he retired as a Sergeant.

Mr. Berckman worked as Director of Security for the Board of Education in Gloucester City and was at Gloucester City High School from 1982 to 2004. He was a lifelong parishioner of Saint Mary’s R.C. Church in Gloucester City and sang in the Saint Mary’s Church Choir for over 30 years.

Jim was a member of the Gloucester City Knights of Columbus Council 674. He was a member of the Berlin, Germany Legion Overseas, member of Townsend C. Young V.F.W. Post 3620 in Gloucester City and the Gloucester City American Legion Post 135.

Loving son of the late James J. Berckman, Sr. and Ann Catherine (nee English). Beloved companion of Joan E. Cowgill (nee Holloway) since 1990. Dear Brother-in-law of Anna Mae Berckman of Gloucester City and the late Edward. Loving uncle of Theresa Berckman and Edward Berckman both of Gloucester City.

Relatives, friends, Gloucester City Police Department, and members of all organizations are kindly invited to attend his viewing on Thursday morning 8:30 to 10:30 am at the McCann-Healey Funeral Home 851 Monmouth Street, (at Brown Street) Gloucester City.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 am at Saint Mary’s R.C. Church: 426 Monmouth Street (At Atlantic Street) Gloucester City. Interment with military honors in New Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.

There will be no evening viewing. Family requests that memorial donations be made in James’ memory to Saint Mary’s Tuition Fund: c/o Saint Mary’s R.C. Church at the above address. Please write in the memo of the check James J. Berckman, Jr. Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family through our funeral home website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of James J. Berckman, Jr.