Gary L. Beckwith

CAPE ELIZABETH – Gary L. Beckwith finished his life’s journey on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. His journey started in 1930, when he was born the second of three sons to Glen and Gladys Beckwith on the family farm in Mapleton.

The farm, with it’s freedom and related chores, as well as attending a one-room schoolhouse, had much to do with shaping his early life.

He often related how he and his older brother Gaylon earned 25 cents a week by going to school early, filling the wood box, starting a fire in the stove, and pumping water for the stoneware crock. That money was spent by going the five miles to the hardware store in Presque Isle to purchase a couple of balsa model airplane kits and a tube of glue. What started as a five mile walk eventually became a jogging event and then a steady run. Both the model building and the running had much to do with shaping events later in his life.

World War II resulted in the sale of the farm and a move to Manchester, Conn., where the family members were engaged in the “war effort”. Quite a change from the one-room schoolhouse to a full classroom all the same grade! A paper route delivering the Hartford Courant provided a bit of spending money.

Shortly after the end of the war, the family moved back to Maine, renting for a short time before purchasing a house in South Portland, where he entered high school as a freshman. At the urging of his older brother, he joined the track team. His success as a distance runner earned him a scholarship to Boston University where he studied art. There he met Jane Boutwell, who would become his wife. After working at the Island Inn on Monhegan, they were married at the island church in September of 1953.

Shortly after graduating from B.U., he was drafted to serve in the Army during the Korean War. He served as a repairman on the anti-aircraft practice range in Camp Hero on Montauk Point, Long Island, N.Y.

Soon after his discharge, he used the G.I. study bill to return to B.U. to earn education credits to receive a teaching certificate, a job that proved to be the most rewarding, from his first positions in Camden, Thomaston, and Rockport onto Portland at Lincoln Junior High School. After five years, he transferred from Lincoln to Deering High School where he finished his career after many years. As a teacher and a track coach he had the pleasure to work with many gifted and creative young people. In his retirement he spent time as a jeweler and a ship model repairman and builder.

A singular high point in his life was being a charter member of the 1976 Bicentennial bicycle camping ride across America. From Oregon to Williamsburg, Va. in 82 days as one of 14 riders.

He is survived by his wife, Jane; children Diana Beckwith and Dan Beckwith; granddaughters Elisabeth Brown and Eleanor Kahn; and three great-granddaughters.

A Celebration of Life will be held 1 p.m. on Monday Oct. 9, at the Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church, 280 Ocean House Rd., Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107.

Online condolences may be made at http://www.hobbsfuneralhome.com.