Francis E. LeBeau

LeBeau, Francis E. COHOES Francis E. "Frank" LeBeau, 86, died Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at the Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany with his family at his side. Born in Troy on November 13, 1921, he was the son of the late William C. and Harriett Vandecar LeBeau Sr. He was educated in Troy and Waterford. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on February 2, 1942 and served for four years in the United States and the European Theatre of Operations being honorably discharged as a staff sergeant. He is a life member of the Watervliet VFW Post #729 as well as a life member of the American Legion Post #1035. He is also a trustee of the support committee at the Saratoga National Cemetery. He had been employed by the Delaware & Hudson Railroad where he served five years as president of the International Brotherhood of Fireman & Oilers Union. After leaving the railroad, he accepted employment with Montgomery Ward & Co. in Menands where he was employed for 24 years and also served as president of the Teamster's Union for six years before retiring. Frank was initiated into Elkdom on February 16, 1969 at the Watervliet Lodge of Elks #1500, being sponsored by his brother PER Charles H. Rayher. He immediately served on the house committee and served as secretary of the Bingo committee for three years. He started through the chairs serving as esteemed lecturing knight in 1971-72 and rose to exalted ruler in 1974-75. He was elected to secretary of the Watervliet Lodge in April of 1975 and served his lodge until April of 2005. On the district level, he served as secretary-treasurer to the past district deputies of the state capital district since 1987, secretary-treasurer to the district past exalted rulers association since 1987 and secretary to the state capital district liaison committee since its inception in 1990. Frank served as state chairman for social and community welfare, credential committee, membership chairman and retention chairman and served on the state convention and fall conference with the state secretary as an advisor for 20 years. On the Grand Lodge level, he was appointed as district deputy grand exalted ruler in 1980-81. He has assisted four district deputies on their appointments to this office. On March 10, 1999, Frank was appointed as grand lodge special representative and is currently in that position. Frank has served his parish church, St. Rita's-Sacred Heart in Cohoes, as trustee, parish council and usher. Frank is a past president of the Holy Name Society and has served as first vice president of the Catholic War Veterans. He was the husband of the late Mary Bridget Bullock, who died in 1961, and the late Catherine "Kay" Wolf Bestle, who died in 2002. Beloved father of Lois LeBeau of Cohoes, Lorraine (Richard) Kowalski of Cohoes, Francis "Rusty" (Tanya) LeBeau of Rochester, Linda LeBeau of Cohoes, Fred (Carolynn) Bestle of Wynantskill, Joseph Bestle of Mechanicville and Virginia (William) Zullo of Cohoes; brother of William (Joanna) LeBeau of Florida, Jean (Robert) Wagar of Troy and the late Charles Rayher and Mary McAllister. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The funeral will be Monday at 9:15 a.m. from the Parker Bros. Memorial, 2013 Broadway, Watervliet and at 10:00 a.m. at St. Rita's Church, Cohoes where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment, Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 3-7 p.m. The Elks Memorial Service will be Sunday at 6 pm. In lieu of flowers and due to restrictions at the cemetery, contributions would be preferred to the Watervliet Elks Major Projects Fund, 501 4th Avenue, Watervliet, NY 12189. Condolence book and directions at: ParkerBrosMemorial.com