HENRY BECTON Obituary

BECTON--Henry Prentiss, former Chairman of Becton Dickinson & Co. and a lifelong singer and sailing enthusiast, died of heart failure in Blue Hill, Maine, on October 25th. He was 95 years old. Known as "Hank", he spent his professional life working for BD. During his tenure, BD went public, and grew from sales of $2.5 million to $7 billion, becoming one of the Fortune 500 and a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability and World Indexes. He served as Vice Chairman of Fairleigh Dickinson University, where the School of Nursing is named after him. He was also Vice Chairman of National Community Bank, now part of Bank of New York/ Mellon, a Founding Director of the United Way of Bergen County, a Founding Commissioner of New Jersey Public Broadcasting, President of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, and a founder of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Hank was born in Rutherford, NJ, on September 15, 1914, to Maxwell and Valerie Becton. He attended Yale University and was a member of the Yale Glee Club and the Whiffenpoofs. The Becton Center for Engineering and Applied Science at Yale bears his name. He served in the Army Air Force during WWII. He married Jean Sprague Coggan, and together they raised five children: Henry, Jean, Jeffery, Cynthia and Lizabeth. They resided for many years in Rutherford and Englewood, NJ and more recently in Vero Beach, FL. They spent their summers on the Maine coast where they loved to sail and spend time with family. In addition to his five children, Hank is survived by his fourteen grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Contributions in his name can be sent to the Henry P. Becton School of Nursing & Allied Health, 1000 River Road, H-DH4-02, Teaneck, NJ 07666.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times on Nov. 3, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for HENRY BECTON

11 Entries

Jim,Suzanne, and Gabriella Harvie

November 24, 2009

To all our Becton friends; Henry, Bitsy, Jeff, CA, and Liz; the Harvies send their deepest condolences with the loss of the Great Man, Hank!!

Over 40 years ago, my mother and father, Bev and Faith, rented the Danforth Cottage in Blue Hill for the first of many summers that they and we children went to Blue Hill. Coincidentaly, as you know Suzanne and I have rented the Danforth Cottage from Jeff for over 15 years. My mother and father travelled the "Ho Chi Minh" trail regularly to your parent's house for cocktails and merriment. My father, Bev, was one of your father's greatest admirers and the two would always be seen singing the KYC song with gusto and gin and tonics in hand.

Many years later after my parents stopped going to Blue Hill, Suzanne and I started going back. Who was always the first to greet us but both your parents, and Hank would invite us and our ,at the time, very young daughter, Gabriella to dinner. Gabriella was so impressed how such a formal dinner could include a simple hot dog for her, and then at the same time summon the maid with the ringing of the bell. He was always so thoughtful, giving, and positive.

In 1996, with BD's 100th anniversary, Hank was so good to include us in all the events held in Puerto Rico. In fact we were glad to host a dinner at our house for all the senior executives. It was a lot of fun, and at the same time you could appreciate the dedication that he had to his employees and the company.

What a great man. We will miss him passing infront of Danforth in his skiff on the way to KYC. We will, however, always remember him with a giant smile.

Jim, Suzanne, Gabriella

November 20, 2009

To the Becton Family,

I did know 'Mr. B.' as my sister called him. But you know in my mind I did know him thru my sister. She was so greatful to him for not just the job she had with him for so long, but his personality and character. Everytime that she talked about him it was with lots of love. The job to her has always been a pleasure, not a job. And I truely believe that your dad did that for all the people who worked for him. My prayers are with you and your family at this time in your lives.

Lillian Leighton, Sister to Florence

Eugene Babbini

November 17, 2009

Dear Becton Family, The Babbini family was so sorry to hear about Mr. Becton.
We would like to also pass on regards for our aunt Gloria Bambach. Thank you for everything and it is a honor and privilige to know your family.
God Bless you all.

The Babbini family, New Jersey

ann mac donald-chappell

November 11, 2009

Cynthia and Liz....i was very saddened to hear of your Dad's passing. Wow, 95...he lived a long wonderful life. He made the lives of others better on the way, too. My condolences and best wishes from Meg and the rest of the Mac Donald Clan. My husband and i moved to Maine 36 years ago and raised our children here. I have to say that it was your dad who introduced Maine to me so many years ago. Lots of love, Ann

Richard LePage

November 2, 2009

My very deepest condolences. I knew Mr. B going back to the early 70's when Bitsy and I helped create a diabetic program for BD back when I worked with John Gordy in NYC. I was deeply impressed and inspired by him from the very start, and that only expanded over the years.

Mr B. embodied kindness and caring, and I feel so fortunate to have known him for a long time. He set and held a very high standard and I'm proud to have been able to benefit from his kindness, guidance and wisdom.

I'll send a note to Henry B Jr at 'GBH as well with contact info.

Florence French

October 31, 2009

Henry,Bitsy, Jeff, CA and Liz Not only am I deeply saddened by your dad's passing but will miss greatly visiting with the members of the family all of whom I am very fond.
Mr.B. always greeted us by name and Leola and I were his SENIOR TEAM.I could go on and on but just wanted you to know I was thinking about you and praying for you.
Love you all,
Florence

Brendan Tobin

October 30, 2009

The Tobin family cannot thank Hank enough for all that he did for us.

Hank was my father Jim's neighbor in Rutherford, the only man we ever knew who called our dad "Jimmy." My dad cut Hank's grass as a kid and said he wanted to work at BD, where my grandmother had been the office manager during the earliest days of the company. She worked for Henry Becton, Sr. and Fairleigh Dickinson.

Hank told my father they only took college graduates, so my father got a degree from Holy Cross and went back to see Hank for a job. Hank told Dad that they only took veterans, so my father joined the Army and went to Germany. He returned 2 years later, with a best friend who married my father's sister, and still after a job at BD. Hank realized he'd never get rid of Jim Tobin, so he hired him and my father enjoyed 33 wonderful years there, speaking glowingly of Hank and the company he built.

My father retired in '89 and passed away nearly 6 years ago after a happy retirement, built on BD's retirement plan and stable company stock. Now the two old friends are together again.

I do hope someone can let me know when services are here in NJ. My mother and I would be honored to attend. My e-mail is [email protected]. God bless you all.

Brendan Tobin

Shauna Pitman

October 29, 2009

Mr. Becton, It's Shauna i will miss you so much you meant the world to me. Leola and I keep calling each other and sharing the best memories. CA, HENRY, JEFF, BITZY, LIZ. I'm so sorry for you lost of your father. He will be sadly missed. He touch so many hearts. Miss you Mr. B. Going to miss the John Wayne movies and the beautiful fire during the famous John Wayne. Love Shauna Pitman Brooklin Maine

October 29, 2009

Although I met Henry only a few times in Blue Hill, I am still impressed at how young he looked. To the family, I must say that I am sorry for your personal loss.

Sumner Lymburner
San Antonio, Texas

A friend

October 29, 2009

To the Becton Family:

Please accept my condolences. I did not know Henry personally, but knew a few people who worked for him. He was a joy to be around and he will be sadly missed.

Gerald Cusato

October 29, 2009

May the peace of God that excels all thoughts comfort you during this time of sorrow. Philippians 4:7

Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results