| John Lewis Beers died on March 15 at his home in Carmel, he was 97 years old.
Mr. Beers was born February 26, 1913 in Ridgefield CT, the son of William Wellington Beers and Helen Gilbert Beers. He was one of 10 children, the last surviving member, and is descended from a long line of Ridgefield/Lewisboro Beers'. In fact, it was a long-time family legend that his great, great grandfather rode with George Washington.
In the 1930's, he worked on and off for the town of Lewisboro's highway department. He was also a member of the Vista Fire department and his name appears in the book "The History of the Town of Lewisboro" as a charter member of the South Salem Fire Department where he was badge #25. He had many stories to tell about "the old days in Lewisboro," working summers at the Alice Poor Estate, now Onatru Farm; about the square dances held in Tator's garage, which was the original South Salem firehouse. Cyrus Russell and Roy Bouton counted him as a friend.
When he was a boy he recalled his father, William, a teamster, delivering coal via horses and canvas bags. Mr. Beers, as a young man, used to deliver milk from the Gaffney Farm to Darien, CT. via the "old Model T". He also could recall when the fountain in Ridgefield was used for watering horses.
In 1942, Mr. Beers entered the Army and served in World War II, the Harbor Craft Training Regiment, 1468 Service Command unit. He fought in three campaigns overseas receiving the European, African, Middle Eastern Service medal with three Bronze stars. He was proud to have served his country.
After returning from the war in 1945, he settled in the Lewisboro/Ridgefield area. Soon after his return, he married his wife of 58 years, Virginia Thorne Beers. They had eight children and lived in North Salem.
Mr. Beers loved to garden and had an amazing green thumb. He was always known for his lush flower gardens. He even mowed his own lawn until about the age of 95!.
Mr. Beers is survived by his children, Virginia Bailey of South Salem, John Gillette of Carmel, Harry Beers of Carmel, Susan Sinclair of Patterson, David and Ann Marie Beers of Patterson, Garry Beers of Patterson, Betsy Basler of North Salem and Shannon Beers of Patterson; 22 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and even one great great grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours were on Thursday March 18th at the Dwyer Funeral Home in Patterson, NY. Burial will be at the South Salem cemetery.
*the above information was received from the family of John Lewis Beers and can also be found in the Lewisboro Ledger.
|
