Bennie Joseph Beck

Bennie was born on November 12, 1933 in Makaroff, Manitoba to Joseph and Rose Beck. He was the first of three and always the big brother.

The family moved to Fort Frances in 1942 and this was home until his passing.

As a young man he drove cab for Beck’s Taxi for 3 years before joining Boise Cascade as a papermaker. Bennie worked at the paper mill for 38 years before retiring in 1991. While employed he served as an officer for the Rainy Lake Local 306 Papermaker Union and was always proud to be a Union Man.

Bennie was united in marriage to Maxine Pearl Gilbertson on February 11, 1956. He imported the love of his life from International Falls, Minnesota. He was a devoted husband, son, father, grandfather and great grandfather first and a lover of country music second. The concerts he attended, the festivals he travelled to were numerous with the highlight being a trip to Nashville with Maxine, a gift for their 25th anniversary.

In 1960 Bennie moved into the house he built on Smith Avenue which could easily be found because of his love for the colour blue. This was a colour not many chose which we referred to as “Bennie Beck Blue”. He was always there to give a helping hand building a house, garage or barn. Bennie was a hard worker and spent many hours tending to his yard and tinkering in the garage.

An avid sportsman, he enjoyed playing baseball and hockey. Centre field hits were always a mistake when Bennie was on the field.

Hockey played a large part in his life. He was a defenceman on the 1961 Intermediate Championship team. He coached many years as his sons grew up, watched from the stands and our kitchen was transformed into the ice surface for some demonstrations. He loved to watch his sons, grand children and just started to watch the great grandchildren as well.

Bennie, Mr. Beck, Grandpa Bennie was also known as the Candy Man. Every child around the neighbourhood or arena would smile when they saw him coming knowing he had pocket or zip-lock bag of candy.

Bennie loved the outdoors. Fishing, hunting, guiding and then he purchased the cabin, the Double “B” Ranch on Hook Island. Over 50 summers were spent on Rainy Lake where he was always ready to drive the boat for the water skiers, man the BBQ and loved to hand the “Queen” to Baba in the game of Hearts. Anyone that stopped at the cabin was given the “Ten Cent Tour” and the proud tour guide Bennie would have a story to share at every building. The cabin was always full of family, friends, love and laughter. The more the merrier was always the motto.

He was predeceased by his wife Maxine in 1986 far too soon; his parents Joseph and Rose Beck; grandson Michael Beck; brother Freddie Beck; in-laws, John and Dorothy Gilbertson; Barbara and Earl Miller.

Bennie leaves behind his legacy, who he was so proud of. Children Gary and Mildred Beck, Larry and Sandra Beck, Linda and Bruce Steele, Kathy and Dale Kaemingh and Nancy and Rocky Brown. Twelve grandchildren, Leanne (Tyler) Spry, Michelle (Garnet) Cornell, Matthew (Heather) Beck, Shane Beck, Shilo Beck, Katie (Luke) Bornn, Jillian (Eric) Rice, Cole (Colleen) Kaemingh, Tanner (Stevie-Lee) Kaemingh, Teagan (Brian) White, Dayton (Karli) Brown, Reece Brown. Great-Grandchildren, Henry and Waylon Spry, Charlotte Cornell, Hazel Beck, Adelaide, Everett and Indiana Bornn, Boone, Bowen and Deverie Rice, Braden, Chloe and Brianna Kaemingh, Nova and Leni Kaemingh, Max White and Bennett Brown; brother Ronald and wife Yvette and sister-in-law Leda Beck, Gail and husband Bob Owen, Jack Gilbertson, Ronald Gilbertson and numerous nieces and nephews.

In more recent years Bennie enjoyed spending time at coffee, dinners, concerts and casinos with a special lady, Toni Edgett.

Due to COVID 19 restrictions, a private family service was held Wednesday, February 3, 2021 with interment in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Fort Frances, Ontario.

Pallbearers were his sons and sons-in-law. Honorary pallbearers were his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

If friends so desire in memoriam donations may be made to the Riverside Foundation for Health Care, 110 Victoria Avenue, Fort Frances, ON, P9A 2B7.