Henry M. Beck, Sr

Henry M. Beck, Sr. of Columbia died Tuesday, March 10, 2015. He was in his 91st year. Henry was predeceased by his beloved wife, Althea Hill Beck, his brother Guy C. Beck, his brother-in-law Charles W. Hill, Jr, and many friends. Henry spent his life on Columbia Lake from the time of his birth until his passing. He attended Colgate University where his studies were interrupted by service in the US Navy, as a Seabee, in Hawaii during WWII. After the war, he married his high school and eternal sweetheart Althea and graduated from Colgate in 1949 with a bachelor's degree in geology. Henry became an employee of the Travelers Insurance Company and served in Group Underwriting in New York City and Bridgeport, CT before moving to the Travelers home office in Hartford, CT for the balance of his career. He most enjoyed his final years at Travelers as a leader in its Education Center where he was admired and loved by his trainees. Henry packed more than 90 years of activities into his personal life. He was a dedicated family man, a servant to his community, and a friend to everyone he met. As an East Hartford grammar school youth, he helped rescue residents of East Hartford from a flood by using a canoe destined for Columbia Lake the following summer. His children draw fond memories from several pioneering trips West visiting virtually all National Parks. Henry was a member of the Columbia Lake Sailing Club, Columbia Lions Club, Columbia Congregational Church, Two Together Club of the Columbia Congregational Church, Columbia Lake Association, Columbia Historical Society, Friends of Saxon B. Little Free Library, and the Masons. He served as a Justice of the Peace and as a member of the Board of Corporators of the Windham Community Memorial Hospital, a member of the initial Columbia Charter Commission, a member of the Columbia Lake Management Advisory Commission, and a member of the Democratic Town Committee. He also served as the Troop Committee Chairman and Assistant Scout Master of Boy Scout Troop 162. He gave generously and unselfishly to family, friends and community. He always had time to share with anyone in need of help. He was the longest serving member in the history of the Columbia Lions, was a past president of the Club, and was honored by the Lions by being named a Connecticut Knight of the Blind. He was instrumental in the popular 60's "hole-in-the-ground" bean dinner sponsored by the Two Together Club. He enjoyed performing many lakeside marriages as a Justice of the Peace, leading his scouts to achieve high rank and win camporees, gathering scientific data on Columbia Lake, and being a contributing author to the book, Ladies of the Lake. He even shared his blood with others and was recognized as a 10 gallon donor by the American Red Cross. Many of these activities continued into his final years, when he was endearingly known to many as the "Commodore." He is survived by his sons Henry M. Beck, Jr. and his wife Doreen Z. Mouzakes of Columbia, CT; Curtis H. Beck of New Fairfield, CT; and Randolph Beck and his significant other, John Warren III of Atlanta, Georgia; daughter Candace Beck Tanner of Aptos, CA; grandson C. Aaron Beck of Vineyard Haven, MA; granddaughter Emily L. Beck, her husband Benjamin G. Thacker and their son (Henry's great grandson) Owen Beck Thacker of Centreville, MD; grandson William B. Tanner of Framingham, MA; granddaughter Kelly S. Tanner of Aptos CA, step-granddaughters, Yvonne E. Mouzakes of Hoboken, NJ and Davia A. Mouzakes of Houston, TX, as well as many friends. The family will receive friends from 2-4:00PM on Sunday, March 15, 2015 at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St., Willimantic, CT. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 16 at 1:00PM at the Columbia Congregational Church, 325 Route 87, Columbia, Ct, 06237. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Columbia Lions Club, PO Box 1, Columbia or the Columbia Congregational Church, 325 Route 87, Columbia, CT, 06237. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.