Barry D. Beckwith

07/26/1947-03/04/2026

After a three-year battle with dementia, Barry has passed into eternal peace.  He graduated Clearfield High School class of ’65 and left for basic training in the Air Force the next day where he was an aircraft mechanic, Staff Sargent and crew chief on the KC-135 during Vietnam. After the Air Force, he moved to Vernon, CT and started working at Pratt & Whitney/IFC where he was a component tech & facilities mechanic for 21 years before his retirement. In life Barry was what one would call spunky, jovial, and charming.  He was an avid sports enthusiast, Air Force veteran, long time member of the Moose and the American Legion, all-around hard worker and the frugalist man I have ever met. While rarely politically correct; Barry was a devout feminist. He instilled in his daughters and granddaughter that women can do anything a man can do, teaching and coaching them to be self-sufficient, productive, and pragmatic members of society.  He was the fun dad & papa, creating ice skating rinks and sledding tracks in the backyard, always ready for a game of horse, to toss the softball around or just have a hose fight in the front yard. He had the heart for selfless service, shown through his honorable service in the Air Force, charitable work, and love for his family, especially Brittnay (she was his favorite and we all knew it).

He is survived by his two daughters: Valarie and husband Jim Fusick of Vernon, CT, Vanessa and wife Melanie of Enfield, CT; his two grandchildren: Brittnay Harris and partner Denzel of East Hartford, CT, Andrew and wife Carrie Fusick of Manchester, CT; his three great grandchildren: Luna Beimler, Isobella Harris, and James Fusick; his two sisters: Rhonda & Ed Voss of Clearfield, PA, Sylvia & Doug Kritzer of West Decatur, PA; one niece and five nephews, to include his closest relationship with Duane Kirk of Hyde, PA.  

He was predeceased by his parents: Orthello Beckwith and Caroline Chucheck as well as his wife of 26 years, Simeon Beckwith (1-31-1993); siblings: Richard Beckwith, Jayleen Baer, Brenda Kirk and nephew Kevin Kirk.  

In lieu of flowers make someone laugh; either with you or at you, either is fine, it’s the joy that matters, Barry loved to make people laugh and would appreciate that it doesn’t cost a thing. There will be no calling hours and burial will be a private gathering celebrating him at a later date in his hometown.