IN MEMORIAM: Harold L. Beecher, 75;

Air Force Veteran Was Bendix Retiree

RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Harold Leslie, Beecher, 75, of Sylvan Street, a machinist who retired in 1994 after a long career at Bendix, Utica, passed away peacefully on Thursday December 13, 2018 in his home surrounded by his loving family.

Harold was born on Nov. 30, 1943 in Cooperstown, a son to the late Leslie and Marion Brownell Beecher. He was raised and educated in Richfield Springs, graduating from Richfield Springs High School, Class of 1961.

In January 1962 he joined the  Air Force, serving until January 1966 as an airman, third class.

On Aug. 30, 1974, he married the former Thelma Pierce in Richfield Springs.

He was a machinist by trade who manufactured hydraulic parts for the Bendix Corp. in Utica for many years, retiring in 1994.

If he wasn’t rocking out to the Ventures, you’d find Harold making wood carvings, he enjoyed all forms of woodworking. He was a coin, eagle and model-car collector and loved his guns. He loved football and baseball.

When he was outdoors he enjoyed fishing and range target shooting. Harold was a member of the Richfield Sportsman Club, the National Rifle Association and Milford Post 1566 of the American Legion.

Aside from his many hobbies nothing gave him greater pleasure than time with his family.

Besides his wife of 45 years, Thelma, survivors include four sons; Andrew Cline of Binghamton, Thomas Cline of Richfield Springs, Jason Beecher of Milford and  Joshua Beecher and his wife Stacy of West Edmeston; a daughter, Tiffany Long and her husband Sean of Richfield Springs; sister Ann Beecher of Richfield Springs; six grandchildren, Tommy Cline, Lucas Cline, Emma Beecher, Sierra Beecher, Kalyanna Long and Kyah Long, and many cousins.

A celebration of life for Mr. Beecher will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5,  in the Richfield Springs Vets Club, Lake Street, Richfield Springs.

Funeral arrangements are J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James Street, Richfield Springs.