George Avery Beckmann

George Avery Beckmann was born in Englewood, N.J., in 1927, and died peacefully Thursday, March 14, 2013, with his family by his side at his home in Morro Bay. Avery had a very full life. He was proud of the fact that he was a two-time war veteran. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1945 directly after high school and served in Lima, Peru. He also served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, based in the Philippines. Using the GI bill, Avery attended Yale University and graduated in 1951. Upon graduation, he went into the family real estate business. After several years, he decided to return to school and enrolled at Seton Hall Law School. He earned his law degree and opened up his own law firm. Avery married Edith James in 1949, and together they raised a raucous family of four sons and two daughters in Ridgewood, N.J. Avery spent many hours passing on to his children his love of snow skiing in upstate New York, water skiing at the Jersey Shore, fishing in the Ramapo and Delaware Rivers and playing tennis and squash at the local neighborhood courts. He continued to enjoy all of these athletic activities into his 70s. His love of a good bargain kept him skiing past age 70, when he could ski for free at his local ski slope in upstate New York. Avery enjoyed the last decade of his life on the Central Coast of California. His love of music led him to start his "Sing-along-with-Avery" at various venues. He also loved Rummikub and would play with his good friends at Oceanside Gardens in Morro Bay three or four times a week. He also enjoyed the company of his many friends at AA in Morro Bay. He was an avid reader and a frequent visitor to the Morro Bay Library. He was loved by many and will be missed dearly. Avery is survived by his sons Jim (Lorraine) and John (Donna); daughters Laurie (David) and Sue (John); sister, Lynn; grandchildren Niki, Connor, Tyler, Aimee, Mark, Taylre and Avery; and many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his sons, Peter and Rob; and second wife, Claire. A memorial service will be held this summer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Coast Hospice, 253 Granada Drive, Ste. D, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.