JOHN “JACK” BRIAN BEECROFT

EASTON - John “Jack” Brian Beecroft passed away quietly at his home after a long illness the morning of January 29, 2018. He was born in Stillwater on September 18, 1924 to John Arthur and Hazel (Conner) Beecroft. Jack was predeceased by his wife Barbara (Christensen) Beecroft in 201. They married October 10, 1947 and rented a home in Schaghticoke on Weir Farm where they lived until he bought the land where he was currently residing on Route 40. He lived his entire life in the Rensselaer, Saratoga and Washington County area. He is survived by a daughter Diana Joy Gurri, Tyron, North Carolina, a son David Bruce Beecroft, Easton; four grandchildren, Kristen (Ed Hoover), Catherine (Matt McCauley), Brian (Rebecca) and Adam, three great grandchildren, Quinn, Colin, Catherine; his sister, Hope Grogan and by many nieces and nephews. During World War II he served from February 1943 through January 1945 in the Marine Air Corps as an aircraft armorer and mustered out as a corporal after serving in the Marshall Islands in the Pacific. After WWII he started in the Pulp Wood Business cutting for the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Mill. In 1949 Jack established Beecroft’s Gun Shop specializing in custom ammunition, reloading equipment, firearms and gun repair. In 1990 Jack and son David started the outdoor wood furnace business as a dealer for Central Boiler. The business grew into the second largest dealership in the US and Canada. He completely retired from the business in 2012 leaving David to carry on the family business. While he was growing the gun business, he worked other jobs including in the steel mill and on the B&M Railroad where he was a trainman/brakeman and although he was not fond of heights, he would walk across the top of moving railroad cars to set the brakes. Jack enjoyed hunting, the shooting sports and was an Adirondack 46er #1117. We would like to thank the special people who cared for Jack for the past several years – Deneise Kenny, Eileen Minor, Craig Burns, Phil Hood. Special thanks to Margaret Kinyon who was a supportive friend to both Barbara and Jack for many years. Relatives and friends may call from 9:30-11:00am on Monday, February 5, 2018 at the Chase-Smith Family Funeral Homes, 173 Main Street, Schaghticoke. A service will follow with burial in the Saratoga National Cemetery with military honors. Online remembrances may be made at www.chasesmithfamily.com