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Edward Martin “Ed” Berko was born in
1931 in Jersey City, NJ, of Slovak parents who had immigrated to America through
Ellis Island. Ed’s parents separated when he was three, and he was raised by his
father in Manhattan. Ed graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in Bronx, NY,
in 1949 and wanted to attend West Point to obtain a college education and serve
in the military. He was nominated to West Point by New York Congressman Vito
Marcantonio.
At West Point, Ed, Leroy Lunn, and Paul Schweikert
were roommates for the full four years. They became such close friends that they
were nicknamed “the three brothers with different last names.” Ed often
reminisced about West Point and recalled anecdotes and humorous incidents that
counterbalanced the intense study, training, and discipline of the Old Beast
Barracks and First Regiment (G-1). His recollections included learning to drive
for the first time on a double clutch 2½ ton truck; long hikes with full pack
and rifle; sitting on his helmet with M1 rifle under a poncho in the cold,
drenching rain; “the mad minute;” ice cream wagers in Washington Hall; the TAC
punching laundry bags and breaking his knuckles; dress parades on the Plain; the
Corps passing in review for President Eisenhower’s inauguration; the Alma Mater;
and the hallowed traditions and distinguished history of the Long Gray Line. Ed
was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.
Shortly after graduation, Ed met Irene J. Domanski
at a wedding. Irene was 16 years old and attending City College of New York
(CCNY). Ed proposed three weeks later, and after a courtship that lasted only
five months, they were married at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Brooklyn, NY,
on Nov 27, 1954. Ed and Irene were happily married for 56 years.
Ed attended flight school at Stallings Air Base, but during solo flights it was
discovered that his vision lacked depth perception, and a medical review board
subsequently declared him physically unqualified to complete flight training. Ed
then transferred to the Office of Special Investigations (OSI), where he did
undercover counterespionage and counter intelligence work. During OSI training,
he received an award for highest scoring pistol marksman in the class. Ed
resigned his commission as a captain in 1957 to care for his ailing father.
Ed began a new career as a mathematics teacher. While teaching full time, Ed
attended night school and received a master of arts in education from Hofstra
University and 45 credits in post-graduate courses from Adelphi University. Ed
stopped taking classes just short of the Ph.D. curriculum requirements because
completion would have necessitated his transfer from the classroom and teaching,
which he loved, to an office and administrative duties. Ed’s example influenced
several of his students to attend West Point. Ed coached the school's Math Team,
and under his leadership, the team won so many championships that the school had
to build a special showcase in the lobby to display the team’s many gold
trophies. Ed retired from teaching in 1986.
Ed and Irene had five children:
Edward, Jr. graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy
in Annapolis with a degree in Marine Engineering and served on guided missile
destroyers for nine years. He was selected for early promotion to lieutenant
commander but resigned his commission to obtain a master of business
administration in finance from The Wharton School of Business at the University
of Pennsylvania. He is a senior executive at a financial services company and
has a daughter, Katherine.
Susan graduated from The Wharton School of
Business at the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor of science in
economics and a major in accounting. She is the mother of three children,
Daniel, Isabel and Elena, and manages an art gallery.
David graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in
Annapolis with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and served on nuclear submarines
for nine years before resigning his commission to obtain a master of business
administration in finance from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He works in
nuclear engineering and has a daughter, Diana.
Andrew graduated from Villanova University with a
BS degree in accounting. He is a CPA and CFO for a private college and has two
children, Dorothy and Anneliese.
Elizabeth graduated from Trinity College with a bachelor of arts in
economics and earned a master of arts in international
finance from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. She works
as an economist.
Ed was an intellectual with wide interests, including classical music, ballet,
opera, museums and historic landmarks. Ed was an avid reader whose interests
spanned many subjects. He loved to play chess and collected clocks. Ed collected
and listened to hundreds of phonograph records that ranged from classical to
country music.
Ed’s greatest interest was in art and painting. He began painting in 1954 and
painted abstracts in oil on canvas and Masonite for over 45 years. His paintings
capture the essence of the object through his perspective. Ed’s paintings have
been exhibited in New York, Paris and Jerusalem. Ed said, “I am the
Universe—painting itself.” While painting he wrote his thoughts and reflections
on a wall in his art studio. A book of these thoughts and reflections — Sur Le
Mur (On The Wall) — was published in 1988.
Devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, Ed was strong yet gentle,
modest and self-effacing, dignified, had a commanding presence, and was
respected by all. In a time of changing values he maintained the highest
standards. Ed’s life embodied West Point’s motto: Duty, Honor, Country.
—Ed Berko, Jr. | 
