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Paul Beckwith Obituary
March 27, 1952 - April 25, 2019
Paul Beckwith of San Francisco, CA died April 25, 2019. He was 67. Paul was born on March 27, 1952 son of the late Oliver and Marinette Beckwith in Dobbs Ferry, NY. At a young age, his family moved to Marshfield, MA where he attended school. He was a graduate of Marshfield High School, Class of 1970.He graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1974. He received his MBA from the University of Cincinnatti and worked in the business world for several years before finding his calling as a teacher. He taught 5th grade at Foster City Elementary School from Fall 1997 to June 2016. Paul loved teaching and is fondly remembered by countless former students and co-workers.
He was known for his outrageous sense of humor and his love for American popular culture and music of the 50's, 60's and 70's. He hosted a radio show 'Music Ad Nauseum' featuring his collection of musical atrocities!
Paul is survived by his daughter Olivia, son Henry, and former wife Diane Olivier, sister Marianne, brothers Stephen and John, and John's wife Marion, nephews Bryan Beckwith and Oliver Gomes, and Oliver's wife Stephanie, niece Sarah Dunn and husband Jeff, grand nephews John Charles Beckwith and Donald Gomes, grand nieces Madeline, Ainsley, and Phoebe Dunn. He was also survived by many cousins and lifelong friends.
Paul was a true friend to all and never had a bad word to say about anyone.
A Memorial Gathering will be held on 5/19/19 from 12-3pm at Foster City Elementary School, 461 Beach Park Boulevard in Foster City, CA 94404. Another Memorial Gathering will be held in Truro, MA in October 2019 TBD.
Donations may be made to American Diabetes Association PO Box 15829, Arlington, VA 22215 or call 1-800-342-2383
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Paul Beckwith
Jennifer Hill
March 26, 2023
The past few days "My Way" by Frank Sinatra made its way to my ears, in tv shows, in restaurants and on the radio. It was our graduation song, and I knew it well. The lyrics came back to me and I found myself singing along, I recalled all the amazing times I had in 5´th grade with you. I wanted to look you up on social media to say thanks and tell you how much of an impact you had on me as a young child, an adult and also as an educator myself. I love that you kept music alive in our classroom and I continue to do that now with my littles! It saddens me to know that you´re no longer with us! Tomorrow Sinatra will be added to the classroom play list, I hope you´ll be singing along with us!
Jennifer Hill- Foster City Elementary School, Class of 1999
July 25, 2019
So sorry for your loss, John and Marion.
Sincerely Ned and Carol Dubois
Arianna ball last day poem Paul beckwith 5th grade yearbook 2011
May 25, 2019
Paul Beckwith Arianna ball on her April birthday 5th grade Foster City school 2011 yearbook photo Paul took..l
May 25, 2019
Paul and Arianna Ball fifth grade yearbook Paul made
Allene Ball
May 25, 2019
Sarah Leff
May 23, 2019
He was my fifth grade teacher. I have him to thank for shaping me into the person I am today. He saw potential in me and never gave up on me, and I got my leadership skills from being in his class.
Bryan, Judy, Reece & Keira Nobida
May 20, 2019
My two children had the wonderful opportunity to have Paul Beckwith as their 5thgrade teacher at Foster City School. My daughter loved Jeopardy Fridays and trying to stump Paul in the word challenge contest. My son remembers the Metacognition sign posted above the white board and said he learned a lot that year. My husband and I spent time in Paul's classroom doing Art in Action, going on field trips and helping out with the Polar Express Christmas play. During our time with him we came to know a very kind-hearted man and a wonderful teacher who showed us that kids really have a greater capacity for learning than we think they do. He challenged his students with a creative curriculum and challenged them be better citizens in their class community. While Paul took great care of the children in his classrooms, he took care of us parents too. He always sent thoughtful and helpful responses to my emails and helped alleviated my concerns about sending my kids away to a week of Outdoor Education.
Paul will be greatly missed, but he will never be forgotten. I hope he knew the wonderful, positive and long lasting impact he had on the many families here in the Foster City community.
And lastly I wanted to share an email from Paul in his own words about what teaching meant to him.
Parents;
Thank you all for everything you and your kids did for me last week. You're incredibly generous and thoughtful, which is reflected by your kids every day. Thanks for all the gift cards, food, and cards (some of which I have already framed and put up on my wall.) I love my job, and through the year I get to see all your kids' needs and weaknesses and shortcomingsbut all that comes in a context that you developed in them which also includes strength, resilience, respect, love, curiosity, creativity and lots more. That's the coolest giftseriously. I know I'm getting gushy, but the thing I'm proudest of in my career as a teacher is that I've loved every kid who has passed through my class. I'm not sure if I have the right to be proud of that, since it took no work or achievement on my part, but anyway, it's made a huge difference in my life.
Thank you!
Paul
Allene. Thomas, Arianna, Courtney Ball
May 18, 2019
Paul Beckwith is one of the kindest gentlest teachers my granddaughter Arianna ever had..How lucky we all are to have had something that makes saying goodbye so hard...Winnie the Pooh..He will live on in our hearts forever...Allene, Thomas,Arianna and Courtney Ball Foster City School, Foster City california. ..
May 18, 2019
Please accept my deepest condolence, May you find comfort in the many memories you shared along with the wonderful hope, promised at Isa 26:19.
Robert O'Brien
May 15, 2019
Paul was one of my earliest friends. We went to Mrs. Hill's Kindergarten together, and were together in school more or less until graduation. We even ended up at UMass together, although he got there 2 years before I did.
He was the best of us, a thoroughly good man.
May 14, 2019
My deepest sympathy. I grew up with Paul in Marshfield Massachusetts. He lived down the street from me (Ferry Street). He was a great young man.
May 10, 2019
Please accept my deepest heartfelt condolences. Losing a parent and family member at such a young age is truly a devastating feeling. I can't begin to imagine what you all are going through. Please be assured of my prayers for you all, knowing that God is taking care of Paul in heaven. And now you have an angel protecting you from heaven.
May 9, 2019
My condolences to the family on the loss of your loved one. May the God of all comfort be with you during your time of sorrow. (Psalm 145:19)
First Day of 5th Grade
Nathan Rosenberg
May 8, 2019
Christie O'Neil Harrison
May 8, 2019
So very sad to hear of Paul's passing. He was too young to die. We will all miss him so much.
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