John Eldridge Beebe

John Eldridge Beebe John Eldridge Beebe passed away on May 14, 2016 at the age of 93 in his home with his wife by his side. He was born in Freeport, New York to Henry Ward and Edna Eldridge Beebe. John attended the Hotchkiss School and graduated cum laude from Princeton University with a degree in Economics. In 1942 he enlisted in the US Army serving in the Philippines during World War II in the Field Artillery completing his service with the rank of First Lieutenant. He was chosen to be the Battery Commander for the invasion of Japan when Harry Truman dropped the bomb and saved his life. He was then in the occupation of Japan for 13 months and upon returning home received some letters from the captives thanking him for his kindness. He returned to Princeton to complete his degree and to marry his childhood sweetheart, Margaret Sands Hubbell. John had a long and successful career in investment banking starting with the Chase Manhattan Bank for 18 years and then went on to head the Investment Banking Division at Paine Webber Jackson and Curtis. A few years after their merger, he worked with Eberstadt, Ingalls & Snyder and Scott-Macon. He was also on the board of various companies: Olsten Corporation, Taco Viva, Rheometrics, Balchem Corp and Becton Dickinson. His love for his wife, Peggy, was only seconded by his love for golf. The couple's honeymoon consisted of touring various New England golf courses even though his new bride could not play golf at the time. She quickly learned and they could often be found pulling their carts well into their 80s. He was a member of The University Club (NYC), The Garden City Golf Club, The Creek Club, The Lake Placid Club and the US Seniors Golf Association. In his retirement John moved to Hilton Head, SC where he lived at Moss Creek and the Cypress Bay Club. He continued to spend summers at his family home in Lake Placid, NY. John is survived by his wife of 70 years, Peggy, his children, John E. Beebe, Jr. and Martha (Ken) Knowles of Rye, NY, four grandchildren, William (Amy) Knowles of Tarrytown, NY, Eliza (Douglas) Park of Marblehead, MA, and Laura and Jake Beebe of Sudbury, MA. He also leaves behind three great-grandchildren: William, Samuel and Eleanor. A celebration of John's life will be held in Lake Placid later this summer. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to All Saints Episcopal Church in Hilton Head, South Carolina or St. Eustace Episcopal Church in Lake Placid, New York. A gathering of friends will be held at the Cypress on Sunday, May 22 from 10:30 am until noon. The Island Funeral Home and Crematory. theislandfuneralhome.com