Philip J. Beckwith, 62
GREAT BARRINGTON — Philip J. Beckwith, 62, of 909 Main St. died Friday, July 4, 2008, at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield.
Born in Great Barrington on Oct. 6, 1945, son of Paul and Hedwig Stehlin Beckwith, he attended local schools.
Mr. Beckwith worked as a store clerk and cashier at the former Zayre and Ames department stores and, at the time of his death, had been employed at Rite Aide on Main Street.
He was a communicant of St. Peter's Church. He raised and showed bantams and peacocks at fairs and won many first prizes. He also bred and raised Siamese cats and enjoyed collecting china.
He leaves a brother, Lawrence and his wife, Patricia, of East Lee; two sisters, Joan Crerar of Lee and Christina Touponce and her husband, Francis, of Arizona; three sisters-in-law, Margaret Beckwith of Great Barrington, Jane Beckwith of Florida and Caroline Beckwith of Georgia, and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by three other brothers, Floyd, Ernie and Paul Beckwith.
FUNERAL SERVICE — Funeral services for Philip J. Beckwith will be held Monday, July 7, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 at St. Peter's Church by the Rev. William P. Murphy, pastor. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery.
Family will receive friends on Sunday, July 6, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Birches-Roy Funeral Home. Family requests that in lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Mr. Beckwith's memory may be made to the Berkshire Humane Society in care of the funeral home, 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA 01230.