Obituary of Berj Marker

Berj Marker passed away on February 5, 2013 in Corralitos, CA. He was 90 years old. Berj was born and raised in Fresno, CA. He graduated from Fresno High School. At the age of 17, Berj lied about his age in order to enlist in the Army and fight for his Country in World War II. He was elevated to Staff Sergeant and served in the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign. He received a good conduct medal and was honorably discharged in 1945. During his life, Berj lived in Fresno, Madera, Merced, Corte Madera and Santa Cruz. He worked for the telephone company, taking early retirement in 1977. Then, he worked part-time for several Liquor Stores until 2012. First and foremost, Berj was a family man, enjoying 67 years of marriage to his wife Estelle and actively raising his two daughters. He enjoyed family dinners and always brought a bottle of wine and a good appetite. Berj's hobbies included, fishing, cutting wood at Shaffer Park and playing pool. He also enjoyed taking bus trips to Reno and Tahoe and vegetable gardening. He was a lifelong S.F. Giants fan and S.F. 49ers fan. Berj volunteered for Grey Bears for 37 years and was a member of Elks for 58 years. Berj is survived by his wife, Estelle Marker, daughters, Jo Shaffer and her husband Wayne Shaffer and Judy Holroyd, grandsons, Stephen and Nicholas Blas and Kyle Holroyd, granddaughter, Haley Holroyd, 3 nieces and 5 nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Vaughan Marker who passed away in 2012. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date at Shaffer Park. Please contact Jo Shaffer if interested in attending the service: jo@wshaffer.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Siena House Maternity Home, 108 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 or sienahouse.org