McDONOUGH – Ronald E. Beckwith, 66, of McDonough, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, in the Chenango Memorial Hospital.
The son of Elton J. and Virginia Potter Beckwith, Ron was born in Norwich in October of 1943. While growing up in McDonough, he attended the local elementary schools and was a 1963 graduate of the Oxford Academy. Right out of school, Ron went to work for the Wirthmore Feed Stores, working with both the Oxford and Cortland stores, and later drove school bus for the Oxford schools from 1968 through 1972. Ron was also a talented baseball pitcher who once tried out with the New York Yankees, but his love of dairy farming won out and Ron remained in Chenango County. In Oxford on June 13, 1964, Ron married Judie Clark. They bought their first dairy farm in 1967, then in 1978 sold it so they could purchase the family farm from Ron’s grandfather. In 2009, the family celebrated the 100th year of farming on that farm, which had originally belonged to Ron’s great grandfather. Ron remained a Yankees fan throughout his life, but was basically a homebody who enjoyed his family, his farm, and his other love, the McDonough and Pharsalia Fire Departments. His service to the two departments spanned almost a half century, and included his time with both emergency squads, 21 years split between the two departments where he served as Fire Chief, and a period where he was secretary for the McDonough Fire Dept. In 2009, he was awarded the Chenango County Firefighter of the Year plaque for his years of dedication. Following some health issues in the early 2000s, Ron finally allowed himself to be talked into taking a trip, eventually going to Tennessee, Florida, and Texas with Judie and taking a cruise with members of his family.
Ron is survived by his wife, Judie Beckwith of McDonough; his sons and their wives: Michael and Karri Beckwith of McDonough and Matthew and Brenda Beckwith of Smyrna; his sister, Sandra Mushock and husband John of Goodyear, Ariz.; and his brothers: Larry Beckwith and wife Debbie of McDonough and Tom Beckwith of Greene. Also surviving are seven grandchildren: Kristin, Lindsey, Kayla, Allison, Bradley, Crystal, and Cody; and aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Ron was predeceased by his parents and his niece, Stacey Beckwith.
Funeral services for Ron will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Richard Anderson, United Methodist clergy, will officiate. Interment will be at a later date in the Union Cemetery of McDonough. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. Members of the Pharsalia Fire Dept. and Auxiliary will pay their respects at 5:30 p.m. at the funeral home and members of the McDonough Fire Dept. will pay their respects at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Ron’s family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. James Vincens, Dr. Leonard Anderson, and their staff, all of Wilson Regional Hospital in Johnson City, for the excellent and compassionate care given to Ron during his time of need; and to his many friends and fellow firefighters for their support and words of encouragement.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the UHS Foundation, Attn: UMA Vascular Surgery, 10-42 Mitchell Ave., Binghamton, NY 13903, marked in memory of Ron, or to the UHS Foundation-Cardiology Dept., 10-42 Mitchell Ave., Binghamton, NY 13903, also marked in memory of Ron.