Donald W. Beam, 88, of Bristol, beloved husband and best friend of Carol (Herriott) Beam, died on Friday, Nov. 17, at home. Don was born on Feb. 16,1935, in Shippensburg, Pa., and was the 14th of 16 children born to the late Roy and Emma (Stouffer) Beam.
He grew up in Shippensburg and was 14 years old when his mother died. He was sent to his uncle’s farm to work and had to leave school. Don was then drafted into the United States Army where he served at the Nike Missile Base in Plainville and received several Sharpshooter medals. He was able to complete his high school education while in the service and was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant.
He met and married Carol and settled in Bristol in 1961. Don studied drafting at the Porter School of Design and went to work for Atrax and Alpha Carbide (Apostle and Nelson) before retiring. Don enjoyed 10-pin bowling (receiving many awards for top scoring) and spending time at their lake house on Hamilton Reservoir in Holland, Mass., boating, fishing and enjoying family get-togethers.
He especially enjoyed pulling skiers up behind his boat and “cruising” the lake with the pontoon. He was a fan of the Yankees and Giants. He and Carol were season ticket holders for the UConn Women’s Basketball team for over 25 years. He was a former long-time member of the Bristol Lions Club and was a parishioner of St. Matthew Church in Forestville. Don was also a volunteer at the Zion Lutheran Church Meals for Neighbors Soup Kitchen (Beam Team).
In addition to his wife of 61 years, Don is survived by four children: Lori Beam, Michael Beam and Michelle Pattison, Sheila Massarelli and husband, Mike, and Dawn Cercone and husband, Jaeson, all of Bristol; a brother: Melvin Beam and wife, Anna of Pennsylvania; six grandchildren: Michael Robert Beam (Krista), Brandon Beam (Stephanie), Abby Massarelli Segal (Robert), Michael Massarelli, Jr., Andrew and Alexis Cercone; two great-grandchildren: Braxton and Penelope Beam; brother-in-law: Douglas O’Connor of Prospect; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by 11 brothers and three sisters, as well as his sister-in-law, Ann Herriott O’Connor.
Don was also a dog lover and leaves behind his furry pup, Holly Who. Misty, Lady, Bandit and Lady Jane preceded Holly.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Nov. 25, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Matthew Church, 120 Church Ave., Bristol. Entombment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bristol.
Relatives and friends may call at Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Ave., Bristol, on Friday between 4 and 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bristol Hospital Hospice, PO Box 977, Bristol, CT 06011, or to St. Matthew Church, 120 Church Ave., Bristol, CT 06010.
Please visit Don’s memorial website at www.FunkFuneralHome.com.
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