Clement J. Berwitz; Book Author and Traveler

Clement J. Berwitz died Thursday at his Oxnard home. He was 93.

Berwitz was born June 6, 1905, in Weehawken, N.J. He was raised in a home on the Hudson River with a view of the New York City skyline.

“It inspired him toward big things,” said Berwitz’s wife, Jean Harris, past president of Oxnard’s elementary school board and a longtime community activist.

Berwitz attended grade school and high school in New Jersey. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from New York University and earned a master’s degree from Columbia, his wife said. At 65, Berwitz earned a doctorate in public administration from the University of New York at Albany.

For 30 years, Berwitz was chief of occupational analysis for the New York Department of Labor. He retired at age 70. Berwitz also wrote two books, his wife said.

Berwitz and Harris met in Prescott, Ariz., in 1993. They married that year, and Berwitz moved to Oxnard where Harris had been living for many years. The couple lived primarily in Oxnard but spent about three months a year in New York City.

Berwitz enjoyed traveling and jazz music. At 88, he learned to sculpt in stone.

“He was very curious, very creative and a lot of fun,” Harris said.

In addition to his wife, Berwitz is survived by a daughter, Linda Michaels of New York City, and two grandchildren.

A private family service and burial were held Friday. A public service will be conducted at 11 a.m. today at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura.