BRONX, NY - Charles Donald Beckett, 57, died July 22, 2010.
Mr. Beckett was born on Dec. 14, 1942 in Estill. He was a son of Tillie Washington and the late Abraham Beckett. He attended Estill High School where he was a drum major and star basketball player. He graduated in 1972. After high school he relocated to Bronx, N.Y. where he became employed by the Phillip Morris Company. In 1974, he met his future wife, Hilda, and they were little married on Sept. 13, 1980. Mr. Beckett worked for the City of New York for several years doing what he loved most, coaching and officiating basketball games and tournaments. He was also a member of the "Goya Foods" Basketball Team, and his picture was even published in the El Diario Newspaper. He was a member of Local 32Bj for 21 years and employed by Newmark Night Frank. He was very well known around the Times Square area, where he was given the nickname, "The Mayor of Times Square" by close friends and associates.
Surviving are: His wife, Hildagarde "Hilda" Beckett; four children, Greg Levon Gordon of Odenton, MD; Yasmeen Cherese and Jurrell Kareem Beckett of Bronx, N.Y.; Sirfornia Aiken of Charleston; five grandchildren, Shantelle Meilanie Gordon of Odenton, MD; Devone Williams, Tony Aiken, Jr., Sirquania Aiken, and Breona Aiken; his mother, Tillie Washington; Aunt, Liller Washington; sister, Mary "Dean" Tucker; brother, Mark "Tony" Washington; brother-in-law, Spencer Tucker; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; the family pet, "Popcorn Kernal Beckett".
Funeral services were held 12 p.m. Thursday, July 29 at Grandby's Funeral Service, Inc. in Bronx, N.Y. with burial in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Bronx, N.Y.
Grandby's Funeral Service, Inc. of Bronx, N.Y. was in charge of the arrangements.
Martin's Funeral Home of Estill was in charge of the local arrangements.