Beckett Norman Poppe

SALEM - Beckett Norman Poppe (b. May 29, 1982) of Salem, MA, is known by his loved ones as a shining light of laughter and love. He remains a cherished son, brother, and uncle to his family and a remarkable friend to so many. On Saturday evening, September 27, 2025, Beckett and his beloved dog Jack were hit by a car while out on a walk. Jack passed away instantly, and Beckett passed away on Sunday, September 28, 2025, lovingly watched over by members of his family. He received an Honor Walk in the hospital for donating his organs, in hopes that in his passing, he might save the lives of others.

Beckett was a student at St. John's Elementary School in Peabody and graduated from Hamilton-Wenham Region High School (2000). He earned a degree in Religious Studies from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California (2004). He worked at the AP Gardner Post #194 American Legion Post in Hamilton, MA for several years, where he lent a willing ear and counsel to the Veterans and Patrons who visited. He studied plumbing under Alex Dale (Essex, MA). In the last decade, he became an accomplished carpenter, a skill that was passed down through generations of Poppe men going back to Middelburg, Netherlands. He also rebuilt the stone wall behind his mother's home through self-education and a natural talent for masonry, passed down through the Lussiers of Northern France.

Beckett loved philosophical debate and chatting with friends (both humans and animals). He was animated, inquisitive, generous, adventurous, and dependable. He enjoyed mountain biking and skiing and helping his nephew win the Pinewood Derby. He held a 916 day streak on Duolingo for learning Spanish. An avid reader and lover of nature, he is profoundly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Beckett is survived by his mother, Cheryl (Lussier) Poppe, his father, James Poppe and his wife, Pamela (Durant) Poppe, his grandparents, Norman and Hilda (Littlefair) Poppe, his sisters, Rosemary Poppe, her husband, Joe Martelly, and Emilia (Poppe) Mountain, her husband, Scott Mountain, and his nephew, William Beckett Mountain, along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Emilien and Ruth (Toon) Lussier of Rhode Island. Donations in his memory may be made to the Northeast Animal Shelter / MPSCA Angell in Salem, MA, where he met and adopted his devoted dog, Jack, lovingly known as Jack-a-doodle Spicy Noodle.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to Celebrate Beckett's life at O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) SALEM, Tuesday, Oct. 7th from 4 to 7 P.M. Burial is private. Donations in his memory may be made to the MSPCA at Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Ave., Salem, MA 01970 or online at mspca.org/adoption-centers/northeast-animal-shelter/ - To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com