Augustus A. Beekman

(Asbury Park Press)

AUGUSTUS A. BEEKMAN
TOMS RIVER
Augustus A. Beekman, of Toms River died at Wayne Woodlands Manor in Waymart, Pa. Saturday, Nov. 29. He was born on March 28, 1923 in Harlem Hospital in New York and was raised from the age of five by the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament at Little Flower in Wading River, Long Island. At the age of 14, he returned to live with his mother, Charlotte, in the Bronx in order to attend Morris High School, where he was a track star. He served with distinction as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army, where he served in the European campaign during WWII and received the American Campaign medal and others for his service. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from City College of the City University of New York, where he received his Bachelor's degree in history. He received his Masters Degree in political science from Queens College. In 1980, was bestowed an honorary Ph.D. from St. John's University in Queens. He was the second African-American Fire Commissioner of the City of New York, having begun his career as a fireman on January 1st, 1947, in Harlem. He was a founding member of The Vulcan Society, a fraternal organization for African-American firefighters and he was a lifelong union member. He was the loving husband of Muriel Estelle Gittens Beekman, to whom he was married for over sixty years. He was active in the Hollis, Queens community for over thirty years, including service with the Holy Name Society of St. Pascal Baylon R.C. Church, he was on the Board of Catholic Charities of New York as well as Little Flower. The family wishes to express its thanks to all the professional and nursing staff at Wayne Woodlands Manor, in particular, to Joanne Warcholak, in the family's view, the world's most caring and kind nurse.
He was predeceased by a sister, Georgette Beekman, of New York. He was also predeceased by his two sons, Lawrence, an infant and Stephen, a special education teacher. Surviving are a daughter, Bernadette Beekman, of New York City and Carbondale, Pa.; a son, Arthur Beekman, his wife, Jane Beekman; as well as their three children, Stephanie, Jennifer and Kimberly, of Maywood and Mast Hope, Pa. He is also survived by his brother, Ramon Beekman, of Riviera Beach, Fla.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Rose of Lima Church, 6 North Church Street in Carbondale and all are invited to attend services. Interment Saint Raymond Cemetery, Bronx, N.Y. The family plans a memorial service to be held in Toms River, after the holidays. Expressions of sympathy may be made in memory of Augustus A. Beekman to Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York at 2450 North Wading River Road, Wading River, New York 11792-1402 or visit www.littleflowerny.org. Funeral arrangements by the Brennan and Brennan Funeral Home, Inc., 55 Lincoln Ave., Carbondale, Pa.