Jeffrey Pratt Beedy

Beedy With great sorrow the Beedy, Wheelock, Morrison, Smith, Moore, Howe, Jackson, and Szahun families announce the passing of our kind, brave, caring, and unimaginably loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, great uncle, father-in-law, son-in-law, brother-in-law, and friend, Jeffrey Pratt Beedy.

Jeff, 72, of Brewster, MA, and Farmington, ME, left this world on Wednesday April 12, 2023.

Jeff grew up in Gardiner, Readfield, and Augusta, Maine with his sister Deidre, and their parents Dwight and Helen. He attended Kents Hill School, and later graduated from Cony High School, where he gained a reputation as a knock-out pitcher for the baseball team and a star quarterback for the football team. After high school, Jeff attended Dean Junior College, played baseball in the Cape Cod League for two seasons, and volunteered at the Special Olympics. He then continued onto University of Maine, Orono where he majored in Psychology. Jeff, an avid skier, and talented athlete, continued to follow his dreams and skied the moguls on the World Freestyle Circuit. After returning to New England, Jeff began his private school career. He went on to receive his Masters in Counseling Psychology and his Doctorate in Sports and Human Development from Harvard University. Jeff spent his 47-year career as an educator, coaching and teaching, and then as a headmaster at numerous private boarding and day schools globally. He led these communities with gentle strength and respect, and touched the lives of so many in a positive way.

Jeff's work in human development was an offering to the world. He was a published author and he founded Sports PLUS (Positive Learning Using Sports). His PLUS curriculum and programs became part of Milton Academy, Kents Hill School, New Hampton School, KIS Jeju, and others. He initiated and supported after-school programs for underserved populations in the metro-Boston area, various other US locations, as well as Greece, China, South Korea, Cyprus, and Africa. He never stopped working to make the world a better place - communicating with people worldwide about children, learning, sports, music, and moral development.

Anyone who knew Jeff also knew that he was a passionate musician. He played guitar, piano, sang, and was a talented songwriter. He shared these gifts freely with the people in his life, often bringing people together and providing inspiration through music. His friendships through music are deep and span his lifetime. As Head of School, he got a charge out of opening morning meetings with Chuck Berry's "Johnny B Goode" to make sure the day got off to a good start. Jeff and his wife Karyn shared the gift of music and often performed as a duo, or with other friends and band members over the course of their life together.

Family was a priority to Jeff. He loved nothing more than being together, making music, laughter, and making memories. He was a loving father, enjoying strong bonds with both of his daughters, Amanda and Bailey. He loved picnics by the river and swimming in Clearwater with his sister Dee Dee. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and deeply cherished those relationships. Jeff and Karyn loved hosting family gatherings for the holidays and, any days. It meant the world to Jeff to be together with family.

When Jeff wasn't traveling for work and pleasure, he spent his time walking on the beaches, playing music, gardening, fishing, and connecting with family at his home in Brewster, Massachusetts, and at "The Farm," the beloved family home in Farmington, Maine. He was an expert skier and turned heads at Titcomb, Sugarloaf, and Saddleback - his dear home mountains.

Jeffrey Beedy was an extraordinary man, that led an extraordinary life, and he will be missed deeply.

Jeff was predeceased by his parents Dwight Beedy, and his mother Helen Sanborn.

Jeff was survived by his wife and partner of 17 years Karyn Beedy, his daughter Amanda Morrison (Jim), daughter Bailey Smith (Brian), grandchildren Ellawynn, Zane, Ethan, Mason, and Ava, sister Deidre Wheelock, niece Cheryl Moore (Matt), nephews Geoff Howe (Tammy) and Mike Howe (Sarah), mother-in law Margery Jackson, sister-in-law Sandra Szahun, brothers-in-law Todd Szahun (Jaime) and David Szahun (Amaya), and former wife (mother of his children) Anne Richter.

To help honor the extraordinary life of Jeff Beedy, please consider donating to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA:

www.jimmyfund.org/gift

Another way to honor Jeff is by donating to the Jeff Beedy Scholarship fund at New Hampton School. You can find out more information by contacting the school at www.newhampton.org.