ALEXANDRIA BAY, NY —Â James Libby Becker, Wesley Chapel, FL, and formerly Alexandria Bay, NY, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at the Gulfside Hospice House. He was 85 years old.
Jim was born in Chaumont, NY, the son of the late Ivan and Albertina Schumaker Becker. He graduated from Lyme Central School in 1954. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving on the USS Lake Champlain and was honorably discharge in 1958.
Following his discharge from the Navy, Jim started his career with the Thousand Island Park Commission at Wellesley Island State Park. He would then go on to work at Robert Moses State Park, Massena, NY; Coles Creek State Park, Waddington, NY; later retiring from Keewaydin and Krings Point State Parks, Alexandria Bay, NY as Park Superintendent in 1997 after 39 years of service.
Jim was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, Elks Club, American Legion, Moose Lodge and the VFW. He was also instrumental in the founding of the Waddington Minor Hockey Association with several dedicated members of the small community that we called our home.
He was an avid bowler for many years and enjoyed golfing, especially with his grandsons, Rick and Anthony.
Surviving is his wife of 60 years, Sharon, 2 sons Jeffrey, Fort Myers, Florida; Michael and his wife Melissa, Watertown, NY; a sister Christine Settles, Dunedin, Florida; grandchildren, Richard Becker, Clayton, NY; Anthony Becker, Chelsea, Mass; Jasmine (Travis) Knight, Syracuse, NY; 2 step-granddaughters, Mikala Howard, Watertown, NY; Nicole Welser, Dexter, NY and several nieces and nephews.
Beside his parents Jim was predeceased by two sisters and their husbands, Marilyn and Clebron Crouse, Joanne and Fred Salenski, a daughter-in-law, Lisa Jill Becker and a nephew Mark Salenski.
It was Jim’s wishes not to have any calling hours or funeral service.
A celebration of life will be held at a date and time to be announced.
In lieu of flowers donations the family request any donations be made in Jim’s name to Gulfside Hospice, 5760 Dean Dairy Road, Zephyrhills, Fl 33541 or The American Diabetes Association.
Arrangements are with the Whitfield Funeral Home, Zephyrhills and Reed & Benoit Funeral Home, Watertown will be handling the arrangements in New York.
Online condolences may be made at www.reedbenoit.com