Friends and family are invited to a memorial service to celebrate the lives of Dennis E. Beck and Dennis E. Beck II. We will gather together on Saturday April 9th at Grace Episcopal Church, County and School Sts New Bedford at 11:30 a.m. to remember those wonderful men who will be greatly missed. Masks are required at church. Reception to follow. Arrangements with the Wilson Chapel 479 County St New Bedford. wilsonchapel.net
Dennis Eli Beck age 85 of New Bedford passed away on November 4, 2020 at St Luke’s
Hospital surrounded by his loving family after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was the beloved husband for 63 years of Shirley (Doane) Beck.
Born in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late Eli and Gwendoline (Hartill) Beck and was a graduate of New Bedford High School. Dennis worked along with his father on the New Bedford Waterfront as owners of B & G Fish Company from 1954-1969.
Due to urban development along the waterfront, they closed the business and then Dennis and his wife opened Beck’s Seafood Market and Restaurant in Dartmouth and successfully ran the business until they sold in 1994. In retirement he worked part-time at Comfort Inn and later at Wilson Funeral home. He served 12 years in the 212th field artillery Battery B of the US National Guard.
He and his family were residents of Bayview in Dartmouth for 32 years and then resided in
Tiverton, RI and wintered in Pompano Beach FL. He returned to New Bedford in 2017.
An active lifelong member of Grace Episcopal church, he served as Junior Warden, Vestry
member, and and active member of the 20/30 club taking part in rummage sales, minstrel
shows, church suppers and assisted in Martha’s Food Pantry. He is a member of New Bedford Port Society and in his youth belonged to NB Chapter Order of DeMolay.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son Dennis E Beck II of New Bedford, his daughter Katherine Lafland and her husband Roger of Southington, CT, his grandchildren Jason and Jordan Lafland and Zackary Beck and a niece Shirley Anderson of N H. He is also survived by his step-grandchildren, Kim, Chris and Nathan and many friends.
The family wishes to gratefully thank The Oaks Nursing Home and the staff at St. Luke’s
hospital for their wonderful care and compassion.
In Lieu of flowers remembrances may be made in Dennis’s name to Martha’s Food Pantry of Grace Episcopal Church, 133 School St. New Bedford, MA 02740. Arrangements are with the Wilson Chapel 479 County St. New Bedford.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions his graveside service at Riverside Cemetery is Private.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.