Maynard Z. Berkowitz

A celebration of life for Maynard Z. "The Warrior" Berkowitz, a Minden resident for the past 14 years, will be from 1-4 p.m. Jan. 31 at the family home in Minden.

Mr. Berkowitz died Jan. 18, 2004, of prostate cancer at his home.

He was born May 21, 1929, in Pittsburgh to Samuel and Rose Gross Berkowitz.

Before moving to Minden, he lived in Pleasant Hill, Calif.

Mr. Berkowitz worked for Bell Telephone Laboratories in Whippany, N.J., and then spent 10 years at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. He later went to work for AT&T in San Francisco and Pleasanton, Calif., until his retirement in June 1989.

After being diagnosed with cancer, he traveled to address more than 30 organizations, including Rotary and Lions clubs, where he stressed the importance of early cancer detection, answered questions and distributed materials about prostate cancer. He helped many by educating others afflicted with the disease about treatment options, clinical trials and research.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1950-53.

Among his survivors are his wife, Gertrude and son, Samuel, both of Minden; daughter and son-in-law, Gail and David Seat of Walnut Creek, Calif.; sister, Lila Deutsch of Loxahatchee, Fla.; granddaughter, Eva Marie Malolepszy of Ord, Neb.; and several nieces and nephews.

At his request, no service will be held. Memorial contributions may be made to the UCSF Foundation, Prostate Cancer Research Fund, UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1600 Divisadero St., Third Floor, San Francisco, CA 94143-1711, attention Dr. Eric Small, or to Carson-Tahoe Cancer Services, 990 N. Minnesota St., Carson City, NV 89702.

FitzHenry's Carson Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.