John Arthur Beach

John Arthur Beach died peacefully on Tuesday, October 22, in hospice care in Estero, Florida. He was 92 and had suffered from Alzheimer's disease for many years. Born on April 30, 1932, in Syracuse, New York, he was the second of three sons of the late Arthur Myron Beach, an attorney, and the late Norma Vergason Beach, a teacher turned homemaker. The young John was an outstanding student, enterprising, and athletic. A child of the Depression, he earned spending money with a year-round paper route in snowy Syracuse and, by age 12, was operating a printing press in the family basement. He was salutatorian at Nottingham High School, class of 1950, as well as star tailback on the football team and city champion in the 100-yard dash. He also excelled at debate and public speaking. In 1954 Mr. Beach earned his A.B. in English summa cum laude from Syracuse University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and voted class president his sophomore, junior, and senior years. He received a J.D. in 1957 from The University of Michigan Law School. While there, he served on the moot court and was senior editor of The Michigan Law Review. His legal career began in 1957 at Bond, Schoeneck & King in Syracuse, where he remained for 41 years until his retirement in 1998. He was admitted to both the New York and Florida Bar Association. In 1983, he began an eight-year term as Chairman of Bond, Schoeneck & King's Executive Committee and was instrumental in building the firm's Albany office. From 1985-1986, he was president of The National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA), and in 1991, he was the recipient of NACUA's Distinguished Service Award. Legal work on behalf of colleges and universities was an area of particular interest for him, dating from the era of student protests in the late 1960s when he proved adept at settling disputes peacefully. As legal counsel to Syracuse University, he worked closely with Chancellor William P. Tolley—whom he admired as a scholar, educator, and positive influence on the young —and two subsequent chancellors, John E. Corbally, Jr. and Melvin A. Eggers. While representing Syracuse, he facilitated the construction of the Carrier Dome, now the JMA Dome. He was proud of his role in removing obstacles and circumventing red tape so that the Orange had to play only one season without a home stadium. Mr. Beach's administrative skills were put to good use during two leaves of absence from Bond, Schoeneck & King: first in 1973-1974, when he was appointed Interim Dean of Syracuse University's College of Law, and again in 1989-1990, when after having acted as legal counsel to Albany Medical College since 1976, he was appointed Interim President and CEO of The Albany Medical Center. He wrote the plan that averted financial ruin for the medical center before choosing to return to his corporate law practice. His numerous articles—notably "Law Versus Conscience—The Paradox of Civil Disobedience" (New York State Bar Journal, April 1968) and "The Rise and Fall of the Billable Hour" (New York State Bar Journal, September/October 1994)—appeared in journals including The Journal of College and University Law and Syracuse Law Review. A 2009 biography of William Pearson Tolley was Mr. Beach's last published work. After retiring in 1998, Mr. Beach and his beloved second wife, Joyce A. Beach, made their home in Bonita Springs, Florida, continuing to summer on North Lake in the southwestern foothills of New York's Adirondack Mountains. He took great pride in the camp he had built ten miles from the nearest power lines, ensuring all modern conveniences were in working order when friends and family visited. He spent countless hours driving his boat for water skiers, piloting cocktail cruises, and philosophizing with his children on the dock. The summer home is still used by three generations of his family. An avid walker well into his 80s, he combed Florida's Gulf Coast beaches, observing the abundant bird life, and covered miles of trails near his Bonita Springs home. He also loved walking in New York City, where he frequented jazz clubs, Broadway theaters, and good restaurants. He devoured periodical literature and was an almost lifelong writer. In addition to his published work, he filled many a yellow legal pad with handwritten reflections. John and Joyce found true happiness in their marriage of over 38 years, delighting in daily life together as well as travels around the world. Highlights included an African safari, a close encounter with sheep in rural Ireland, and many visits to Italy. Joyce lovingly cared for her husband in his final years, surprising him with sweet treats (ice cream was his favorite food) and regaling him with photographs and videos of his great-grandchildren. John A. Beach will be remembered for his penetrating wit, keen intellect, and robust constitution. He was a strong, forceful man possessed of an innate optimism tempered by realism. Up close and personal, he saw mental illness change the course of lives. He also faced grievous loss when he was predeceased by three people he loved dearly: his elder brother George Vergason Beach (1927-1946), his eldest granddaughter Victoria Ann McManus (1987-2014), and his youngest daughter, Ellen O'Neill Beach Mares (1960-2018). His marriage to the late Victoria Gorcoff Beach ended in divorce. They had four children together. In addition to his wife Joyce, he is survived by three children from his first marriage: Carolyn Beach Welcome (Michael) of San Rafael, California, Ann Victoria Beach (Peter McManus) of Sharon, Massachusetts, and George Vergason Beach II of Slingerlands, New York; seven grandchildren: James M. Welcome (Alexia Koutsokostas), Charles S. Welcome (Anna Vasilyeva), and Juliet Rees Welcome (Lukas Rees); Caroline McManus-Stockwell (Benjamin Stockwell) and Katherine McManus-Shipp (Michael Shipp); Isabel M. Mares (Dani DeLade) and Emma C. Mares; eight great-grandchildren: Alessandra Charlotte, Veronika Charlotte, and Andrew Charles Welcome; Timothy James and Jackson Peter Stockwell; Lyric Elena Delamare; Juliana Fotini Welcome; and Saylor Victoria Shipp, along with a stepson, Christopher Calkins (Lisa) of Syracuse, and two step-grandchildren, Madison and Alex Calkins. His younger brother, Charles Wallace Beach of Syracuse, who could always make him laugh, also survives him, as do two nieces and a nephew: Karen Lisborg, Marilyn Beach, and David Beach. Honoring his wishes, there will be a private memorial service next summer at North Lake. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601, or online at act.alz.org. To sign his guest register or to leave online condolences, please visit www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home, Family Owned and Operated Since 1978.

John Arthur Beach

April 30, 1932 - October 22, 2024