Stephen Guy Beardsley Jr.

1930 - 2021

Stephen Guy Beardsley, Jr.
Stephen Guy Beardsley Jr., Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired) "Guy", age 91, of Shelton, Connecticut, passed on to be with the Lord early on Nov. 2, 2021, at St. Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport. He was the devoted husband of 50 years to Patricia Ruth Burnett Beardsley "Pat" who predeceased him in 2006. Guy Beardsley was born on October 24, 1930, the son of Stephen and Constance Beardsley. Guy earned his BA from Norwich University, Vermont, and entered the Army, serving on active duty from 1952 – 1980. During this time, he had one combat tour in Korea war and two more two in Vietnam. He and Pat raised three kids before retiring from Army active duty in 1980. Guy and Pat returned to Connecticut in 1983 and became passionate about organic farming, which led to the establishment of Beardsley Organic Farms in 1991, later named, Guy's Eco Garden. Guy helped found eight local farmers markets, most notably the Downtown Shelton Farmers' market. Since 2009, Guy has been a co-host on WPKN's bimonthly "Organic Farm Stand" radio show (89.5 FM). He also served from 1991-95 as commander of the VFW Post 10466. Passionate for God, Guy served in multiple volunteer roles, including worship leader at his beloved St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Huntington). He is survived by his daughter, Patricia Janelle Beardsley and her husband, Edward Wittkofski, of Shelton; his son, Col. (Ret) Stephen G Beardsley III, and his wife, Judith, of Olney, Maryland; and his son, Eric Burnett Beardsley of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by his brother, David, of Shelton; five loving grandchildren, Jan Elizabeth Peer (Beardsley), Caitlin Beardsley Eising, Charlotte Marie Koga (Wittkofski), Stephen Joshua Beardsley, and Zachary James Beardsley; nine great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Viewing will be Friday, Nov 5th, from 4-7 p.m. at Riverview Funeral Home, 390 River Road, Shelton. The funeral will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 25 Church St, Shelton (Huntington), at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6th, outdoor reception to follow. At the request of the family, contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Northeast Organic Farm Association of Connecticut [ctnofa.org], tel. 203-408-6819 -or- WPKN, Bridgeport [wpkn.org], tel. 203-331-9756. The family extends a warm thanks to all in our community and in the military who have shared in Guy's amazing life. As always, to God be the Glory.