Calais Academy

Class of 1919

Graduates Class of 1919

Clarence B. Beckett

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Clarence B. Beckett: Portland, ME Press Herald 24 Jul 2001, FALMOUTH — Clarence B. Beckett, 99, of Falmouth Road died July 22, 2001, at Mercy Hospital in Portland after a lengthy illness. Born in Calais, a son of Frank N. and Delia Leighton Beckett, he graduated in 1919 from Calais Academy and in 1923 from the University of Maine, where the track and field complex          bears his family name. During World War I, Mr. Beckett was a member of the Junior Volunteers and worked on a farm in Corinna. In the 1920s he served as a Scoutmaster. Mr. Beckett served on the Calais school board, was treasurer of the Calais school district, served two terms as alderman and two as mayor. He served in the state Senate for four years and two terms on the Governor's Executive Council from the 7th District, which included Washington and Aroostock counties. He was a member of the Maine Development Commission and other state boards. He was a member of the Republican State Committee for 10 years and served as finance chairman for two years. Mr. Beckett was a partner in Beckett and Co. Wholesale Grocers, started in 1855 by his grandfather. He served as president of the Calais Box and Lumber Co. and operated Calais Motors from 1948 to 1954. In 1936, he helped organize the Calais Federal Savings and Loan Association and served as the first secretary, and as vice president, president and director emeritus. He was a past president of the Chamber of Commerce and of the Calais Rotary Club, where he had 31 years of perfect attendance. Mr. Beckett was a Mason and served in many Masonic leadership roles. He had visited all 50 states and 110 foreign countries. His first wife, Frances Lane Beckett, who he married in 1923, died August 1951. His second wife, Irene Neal Beckett, who he married in 1953, died in April 1979. A daughter, Ruth Lewis, died in 1996. Surviving are four grandchildren, Walter Lewis of Montpelier, Vt., John Lewis of Walpole, Mass., C. Michael Lewis of Portland and Anne Frances Dyer of South Portland; and nine great-grandchildren. There are no visiting hours. Services will be announced by Hay and Peabody Funeral Home, Portland.