Julia Helen Berkoski of Water Mill died on December 13, 2017, at Southampton Hospital, just seven days shy of her 102 birthday.
Mrs. Berkoski was born on December 19, 1915, in Sag Harbor to John and Anna Weinclawski. She had five siblings, all of whom predeceased her.
She married William Berkoski on February 26, 1933, and raised a family of five at their farm in Water Mill, where they worked together farming the land. Mr. Berkoski died in 1954.
For many years, Mrs. Berkoski worked as a seamstress for Kleins, Connie McDermott, and Lilly Pulitzer on Jobs Lane in Southampton. She was lovingly referred to by staff and customers, as “Mrs. B.” Her granddaughter, Julie, fondly remembers spending time in the dress shop with Bachie (the Polish word for grandmother).
An excellent dressmaker, she loved to sew and often made clothes for herself, daughters-in-law, and granddaughters. She even made sports jackets for her grandsons. In her later years, she enjoyed needlepoint and crochet, and often made scarves and hats for all at Christmas. She was an avid NASCAR fan, and enjoyed watching the races on television. She was an excellent cook, and for many years hosted and cooked delicious dinners for “Wigilia,” a traditional Polish Christmas Eve supper.
Mrs. Berkoski is survived by all of her children, William Berkoski and wife Dorothy of Byron, Cecila Robertson and husband Robert of Florida, John Berkoski and wife Joan of Bridgehampton, Raymond Berkoski and wife Margaret of Hampton Bays, and Arthur Berkoski and wife Helen of Panama; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren.
A funeral Mass was held on December 16 at Our Lady of Poland Church in Southampton, followed by burial at Sacred Hearts Cemetery.
on Dec 18, 2017