We are so sad to announce the passing of longtime Beacon Hose member Albert Beckwith this Sunday morning after an illness.
So many of us knew him as “Uncle Al,” a nickname he earned thanks to his friendliness and wisdom accumulated throughout his 52-year career as a member of Beacon Hose.
Al was a firefighter who for a time served as lieutenant, and he was also one of the first certified EMTs in Connecticut, serving for years as Beacon Hose’s ambulance coordinator. In that role, he was the leader of the committee that designed and purchased our first modern ambulance in 1979.
In the decades following his active service, Uncle Al remained a constant presence at our meetings and events. He was a parade enthusiast who not only helped prepare our apparatus, but also called commands in the line of march. He was also our honor guard commander who took special pride in helping us pay tribute to many departed members at their ceremonies.
Uncle Al was a past chairman of our carnival and provided sage advice to all carnival chairmen who followed him. He continued to volunteer every year at our carnival, mixing “spring water,” selling raffle tickets, and leading the bologna sandwich brigade with our friends at the Beacon Falls Senior Center.
Al Beckwith’s contributions to Beacon Hose and Beacon Falls for more than half a century were invaluable, and we will miss him so much. Our love and thoughts are with his longtime partner, Alana, who is also a social member of our department, and his family and friends.
Rest in peace, Uncle Al.
