Obituary of Charles A. Beck

The world became a little less bright, Tuesday, December 19, 2017 with the passing of Charles A. "Skip" Beck. Born on October 16, 1947 he was the son of Joyce M. Grunewald Beck and the late, Charles J. Beck. A lifelong area resident, Skip was a 1965 graduate of Amsterdam High School, a 1967 graduate of FMCC and attended Brooklyn Polytech School of Engineering. He proudly served in the United States Army in Okinawa, honorably discharged in 1974 as a SP 4. Skip was part of the plumbing company founded by his father, Charles J. Beck Plumbing & Heating for over three decades. While he may have described himself as just a plumber, he was anything but. Honest and dependable, Skip was a master at his trade. In his "retirement" he worked for Pond & Lucier Turbine Services, teaching himself turbine repair from a three-ring binder. Skip was serving as the secretary to the City of Amsterdam Plumbing Board, on the Vestry board of St. John's Episcopal Church and the Town of Florida Volunteer Fire Department. A great source of pride was his involvement with the Montgomery County Big Brothers, Big Sisters. While he was honored by the board position and the Big Brother of the Year award, it was the Little Brother who became his second son over the last twenty-seven years that mattered most. That kind of community giving continued with the string of young Mohawks players he hosted over the last seven years. None of them will forget Skip and his recliner. His passion was cars: driving them, fixing them, watching them race around the oval, machine tooling their innards. Whether tinkering at Kim's Imports, playing at the Toy Box or problem solving with his son in his own five car garage, he was Pit Crew Chief to so many. Skip would be the first one to tell you, he had a great life. Easily pleased, steady, generous with his time and brilliant mind, he was also quick with a Yes dear, an infamous Skipism or a Papa face. His friendships were countless and colorful. His love was deep and true, especially for his bride of nearly fifty years. We should all be so lucky to have a love like theirs. He was adored by his children and nothing brought him greater pride than his Little Toots and Scooter. Above all else, Skip Beck was a good man. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Patricia J. Lasher Beck; a daughter, Kelly Beck (Joseph Barclay); two sons, Matthew Beck (Amie Aldi- Santiago) and Matthew McDonald; two granddaughters, Grace Bennett and Camryn Beck; two sisters-in-law, Cathy Purdy and her husband Ray, and Cathy Lasher; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also survived by Thomas G. Beck and Mark R. Beck. The Funeral Liturgy will take place on Saturday, December 23, 2017 at 10 o'clock at St. John's Episcopal Church, 1 North Market Street, Johnstown, NY 12095 with Mother Laurie Garramone officiating. Calling hours will be held on Friday, December 22, 2017 from 4 until 7p.m. at the Century Club of Amsterdam, 130 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY 12010. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. John's Episcopal Church in Johnstown, "One Church Street" or the Town of Florida Veterans Memorial Park, 214 Fort Hunter Road, Amsterdam, NY. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam. Please visit the online memorial at www.brbsfuneral.com