Obituary of Joseph Beckett

"Joe", as he was fondly referred to, was born on August 1, 1923, in Pineland, S.C., to his loving parents, the late Mainor and Rosa Beckett. He was educated in the public school system in South Carolina. Joe accepted his Lord and Savior at an early age. Anyone who knew Joe could attest to the fact that when it came to math as he had a gift for figuring out anything where numbers were involved. Joe spent his early years in South Carolina, until he left to serve our country in the Army branch of the military. He proudly served in the Military, as he had traveled to various parts of the world, and the South Pacific venture seemed to have been his favorite, among others. Joe was honorably discharged from the military, and returned to "the states". He spent some time in the state of New York, and eventually moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he met the late Deborah Bell, who took this handsome gent "off the market", as they started their life together. Joe and Debbie later settled in Buena Vista, New Jersey, where Joe worked tirelessly, as he built their home, brick by brick, with his own two hands. Joe loved his home, and was happy to share his space with family and friends; especially during the Summer months.Joe got to show off his culinary skills, as he would very attentively do the cooking, over the barbeque grill, not to mention how he could cook up a "mess of greens" that he grew in his very own garden! Joe was always up to a game of horse shoes, or pool.he "kicked butt" quite gracefully! Joe had many skills, and his gift of being a cement mason was his bread winner. He belonged to the Cement Masons Union for several years, actually until he departed this life. He was also a lifetime member of the local VFW Post, in New Jersey. Joe had great leadership qualities, as he had joined, and eventually had become the fire chief of the Buena Vista Volunteer Fire Company. He had received special recognition for his hard work, and dedication to those he proudly served. Joe is survived by his niece: Deborah; nephew: Thomas both of Philadelphia, and many other nieces and nephews; a special Goddaughter: LaRissa Sykes; his "Buddy" : Lakhi Gibbs; his longtime friends: Brenda Sykes of Buena and Herbert Sykes, Sr. and his wife Deena of Newtonville. A viewing will be held Saturday Nov. 6, 2010 from 10:00am - 11:00am at the Abundant Living Center, Route 54, Newtonville, where Funeral Services will begin at 11:00am. Burial will follow in the Atlantic County Veteran Cemetery in Estell Manor. 0-090