Roy Peter Beekman

Roy Beekman was born in Queens, NY on September 3, 1955, to Peter and Ellen Beekman. He grew up in Queensbridge eventually moving to Ravenswood then Lefrak City. Roy attended Mater Christi High School in Queens where he played basketball and was named to the All-City and All-American teams. Roy also known as Ice Man and Baby Joe Hammond, was recruited by many colleges and chose to attend Niagara University. There he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology in 1978. His first job after graduating was with ELMCOR because he wanted with the youth. After working various jobs his final position for the last 22 years was with the NYC Board of Education as a Paraprofessional at P.S. 721 in Queens working with Special Needs students. He loved and enjoyed working with the students and they loved him as well.

Roy’s passion was his love of basketball and working with the youth. Giving back to the community and pouring into the youth gave him joy. Roy provided not only lessons on basketball but also lessons on life. He pushed his players to be their best on and off the court. Roy was an instructor and/or Coach/Assistant for many basketball programs and camps such Aim High, Lefrak City, PAL Education through the Hoop, Boston University Basketball Camp, Kenny Smith’s Basketball Camp, Vincent Smith and Roy Beekman Basketball Camp, Seton Hall University Basketball Camp and Five-Star Basketball Camp to name a few. In 2001 Roy was given the opportunity to become Assistant Coach at LIU in Brooklyn alongside his good friend and Head Coach Ray Martin. In 2004 he joined the Hostos Basketball program as an Assistant Coach and that year the Caimans won the CUNYAC, Region XV, and NJACC National Championship. In 2006 Roy became Head Coach where he eventually led the team to win the CUNYAC and Region XV titles once again before finishing third at the Division III National Tournament in 2007-08. In addition, he was named District 5 Coach of the Year. In 2011 Roy went on to become Assistant Coach at SUNY Old Westbury then eventually joined Nassau Community College as Assistant Coach in 2016 to the present. There he helped lead the team to win the Region 15 Championship in 2017.

Roy was a friend to all in the community, greeting you with a warm smile and plenty of conversation. Roy will truly be missed by everyone in the community.

Roy was preceded in death by his father Peter, mother Ellen and sister Doreen. He will be missed by all who love him: his sisters Benita Crossen and Tracey Beekman; nieces: Shonda Webber, Danielle Webber-Parker, and Amber Webber; nephews, Rakim Hall, Demond Webber, Christopher Baskerville, Troy Cannon, and Kyle Cannon. His many great nieces and nephews. His Aunt Francine Wynn, Cousins, Brother-in-Love Bruce Crossen, his lady Kaye Leonard and a host of Family and Friends.