Roy E. “Leroy” Beecher, 87, passed on Friday, March 24th in Palm Springs, CA where he resided in the winter and his summer home was where he was born and raised in Watertown, NY.
Roy was born on November 2, 1929 to Walter V. and Gladys (Rainboth) Beecher. He was a 1948 graduate of Watertown High School and upon his graduation he joined the US Navy and was honorably discharged in 1950.
He married Ann J. Rafferty on December 28, 1948 at Holy Family Church, where he was a communicant of. He was employed at the Agricultural Insurance Co. until joining the U.S. Postal Service from which he retired in 1996. He was a swimming and diving coach for the YMCA while in high school and continued after returning from the Navy. Believe it or not, those little legs ran track in high school. He may have been small in stature, but his personality was larger than life.
Roy was a lifetime member of the Elks Club and for many years a member of the Watertown Golf Club. He enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. Someone just said that he was the Life of the party, even if there wasn’t a party.
He is survived by his children: Judith A. (John) Fiorentino, Black River; Cheryl M. (Tommy John) Zeldin, Palm Springs, CA; William F. (Tina) Beecher, Watertown; Thomas R. (Nancy) Beecher, Watertown; Karen E. (William) Jorden, Watertown; 13 Grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, 4 nieces and 2 nephews. He was pre-deceased by his wife, Ann J. (Rafferty) Beecher, a daughter, Patricia M. Ranieri, a son Michael Roy, a grandson Christopher M. Burker and his two brothers Vernon and Frederick Beecher.
There will be a Celebration of Life in early May (date to be determined). Until then, get your stories ready to share for he was The Man, The Myth, The Legend of Watertown and a lot of glasses will be raised in his honor.