John T. Beking

PORTLAND - John T. Beking, 90, of Portland, passed away on September 13, 2012 at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough with his loving family by his side, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on July 21, 1922 in South Portland, Maine, a son of William E. and Mary E. (Kerns) Beking. John went to Portland High School where he excelled in swimming and in track. He was undefeated in the sport for three years. He left high school upon the outbreak of WWII in 1941 to join the United States Navy. When he saw that the recruiting office was full he walked across the hall and became a proud Marine by joining the United States Marine Corps, making the service his career for over 20 years. He served in the Korean War and was stationed in Okinawa. During his career he was stationed at the following Marine Corps Bases: Quantico, Va., Camp Lejeune, NC, Parris Island, SC, and Camp Pendleton, California. John met and fell in love with Lorraine Conley. They were married and had five children. John eventually went back to school and graduated on June 25, 2001 from Portland High School. He received his diploma at a special ceremony when he was 79 years old. John was an Eagle Scout and attended a reunion of Eagles Scouts at Camp Hinds when he was 87; the oldest one in attendance; where he had the opportunity to meet the son of Mr. Hinds who donated the land to the scouts many years ago. John enjoyed great times with his family, which he spoke proudly of when he was with his friends and going to his niece's house for Sunday dinners. John was a member of the VFW and Harold T. Andrews American Legion Post, where he appreciated playing dice, scratch and pull tickets and especially playing "A Hot Game" of cards with his best pals. He loved to read Western books, listen to Country music, dancing and being a jokester. He had an incredible memory, was energetic and enjoyed spending time with his fellow veterans and other friends whom he liked driving to and from various airports. His friends knew that whenever they needed him that he was there to help. Following his 24 plus years of military service, he had a variety of jobs including working at Jordan's Meats, Maine Medical Center, New England Telephone and Budget Rent-A-Car where he worked until he was almost 90 years old. John was a member of St. Hyacinth's Church in St Anthony's Parish of Westbrook, where he attended Mass and enjoyed singing the hymns. John was predeceased by his parents, William E and Mary E. (Kerns) Beking; his sisters, Ida Cline, Margaret Trefrey, Amelia (Minnie) Stewart; his brother, William J. Beking, and his daughter, Lynn Marie Elwell. He is survived by his daughters; Cheryl A. Beking and her partner Dori Bishop of Sarasota, Florida, Gail (Beking) Dennison-Hale and her husband Willie of Portland; sons, Thomas W. and his wife Janice of Biddeford, and Jon E.Beking and his partner Tom Sumner of Westbrook; six grandchildren, Kimberly M. Donovan, Michele L. Harmon, Kristen A. Dennison, Wayne K. Dennison, II, John T. Elwell and Thomas W. Beking, II; and four great-grandchildren, Kyle and Andrew Donovan, Jesse Elwell and Wayne K. [Hunter] Dennison, III, along with several nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for their wonderful care of John and their constant support to the family. Visiting hours will be held from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, September 16th at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. A Military Ritualistic Service will be held at 5:00 p.m. A 10:00 a.m. funeral service will be held on Monday, September 17th with Military Rites at the funeral home.In lieu of flowers donations can be made to:Hospice of Southern MaineGosnell Memorial Hospice House180 US Route One, Suite #1Scarborough, Maine 04074Online condolences may be expressed below.