John Beechert, formerly of Hampton Bays, died March 25 in Vero Beach, Florida. He was 81.
Known to all as Jack, he was born to Mary and Arthur in Queens. As a young man, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps, and his lifelong pride in the Marine Corps was evident to all. He later served 26 years as a New York City firefighter, and was awarded multiple commendations.
In 1961 he married Virginia Rocco and they had two sons, Jeffrey and Scott.
In 2002 he married Irene Bouchard. With Irene, he fulfilled his lifelong dream of moving to Florida, settling in Vero Beach.
Mr. Beechert is survived by his wife, Irene; sons, Jeffrey and wife Janet, and Scott and wife Regina; grandchildren, Michael, Christina, Jacqueline, Kaitlin, Gabrielle and Christopher; a brother, Daniel and wife Dian; and many nieces and nephews.
His ashes will be interred at Calverton National Cemetery on June 3.
Memorial donations may be made to the New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation, nyffburncenter.com.