Joseph Crawford Beran
Joseph Crawford Beran of Southampton died on December 23. He was 88.
Born in Ohio, Mr. Beran was raised in Queens and was a veteran of the United States Army Air Force, serving during World War II. In 1948, he married Barbara Jagger and the couple moved to Southampton where Mr. Beran began working for Nugent & Potter. Later, they moved to Montville, New Jersey, where they raised their family. In 1998, After 36 years, they moved back to the Jagger family home on Island Creek in Southampton.
In 1959, Mr. Beran started a business, Hobart Sales & Service, in a garage in Parsippany, New Jersey, and it eventually became Joseph Beran & Son, based in Morris Plains. He raised his family in Lake Valhalla in Montville and maintained many lifelong friendships that began there.
Mr. Beran’s lifelong passion was motorcycles. He hid the first motorcycle he bought from his father. Along with his wife, Barbara, he enjoyed many road trips, including several across the United States and a trip to Europe. They were members of the Retreads Motorcycle Club (for motorcyclists over age 40) and attended many rallies.
According to survivors, he was a man with a huge heart, easily made friends and often reached out to strangers in need. Even during visits to the doctor, he was happily greeted by others in the waiting room.
Mr. Beran is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara (Jagger); a son, Glenn and his wife Susan Rosenberg; three daughters, Barby Muller and her husband Bill, Donna and Jill; four granddaughters, Rebecca, Maggie, Molly and Gillian; and a great-grandson, Walter Joseph.
A private graveside service will take place on Saturday, January 19, followed by a gathering at the family home. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton.
Memorial donations may be made to the Wildlife Rescue Center of the Hamptons, 228 West Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, NY 11946, or a charity of the donor’s choice.