Richard J. "Sandy" Beach

BEACH, Richard J. Sandy

83, of Tampa, passed away peacefully Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014 in an AA meeting while reading from Step 1 in the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. He was born in New Haven, CT Sept. 9, 1931. In his early teens, he contracted polio and while in recovery he developed a fascination with magic. Sandy went on to be a high school track and field athlete with a passion for creative writing. In 1953, he graduated from Yale University with a degree in Spanish. With his first wife, Barbara Platt, he had six children, 15 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Four of his children survive him. For over a decade, Sandy flew as a fighter pilot with the U.S. Marines. His next career was as a speechwriter and lobbyist for the Credit Union National Association in Washington, DC. He retired in Tampa, where he enjoyed couples dancing and volunteered as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. On Dec. 7, 1964 (Pearl Harbor Day) Sandy stopped drinking and began a deep and lasting belief in the spiritual power of AA. Sandy became an inspired speaker in AA meetings large and small. He spoke about the principles of AA with a special blend of humor and wisdom all over the world. He created and taught an AA spiritual recovery workshop for men known as The Far Corners; true to its name, men travelled near and far to learn from Sandy. A viewing will take place Friday, Oct. 10, between 6-9 pm at Blount and Curry Funeral Home 605 S. MacDill Avenue, Tampa. Services will take place Saturday, Oct. 11, at 11 am at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church, 3501 San Jose St., Tampa. Condolences can be sent to Richard Beach 2413 Bayshore Blvd. #201, Tampa, FL, 33629. Donations in the name of Sandy B. can be made to the local Tampa AA office that supports, staffs, and provides phone lines and information on Alcoholics Anonymous to the general public and the local AA groups. Please make any donations specifically payable to Tri-County Central Office and mail to: Tri-County Central Office, 8019 N. Himes Ave. Ste. 104 Tampa, FL 33614 Phone (813) 933-9123