OBITUARY FROM MELSON FUNERAL SERVICES (MILLSBORO, DE) WEBSITE:
On Sunday, September 27, 2020, Joseph A. Beerbower lost his lengthy battle with Leukemia. Joe was born in Hobart, Indiana, son of the late Joseph A. Beerbower and Bernice (Frisinger) Beerbower. He was a graduate of Michigan State University, where he was a member of ROTC Navy. After graduation, he joined the Army and was probably one of a handful of people to actively serve in both the Army and the Navy for a short period of time as they overlapped. He spent most of his time in South Korea as a supply officer after the Korean War.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two sisters, Daphne Beerbower Gant (Emery) and Doris Beerbower Groom (Leo). He is survived by his wife, Emily Pluth Beerbower, three children, Douglas Beerbower and his wife, Nancy, Taylor Beerbower and his wife, Arianne and Iggy “Jodi” Beerbower and six grandchildren, E.J., Will, James, Madison, Payton and Lexi.
Joe’s long and successful career as a Financial Adviser at Merrill Lynch was most rewarding because he developed lifelong friendships with many of his clients. His corporate relocation moves took him and his family from Illinois to Ohio, New Jersey, Michigan and Connecticut.
Joe’s love of adventure took him to many places, his favorites being a two week trip sailing on Penobscot Bay, Maine with Outward Bound and a three week trip sailing on the Soren Larsen in the South Pacific.
Among his greatest pleasures were annual fishing trips on various rivers in the West with his sons and close friends. Joe also enjoyed tennis, skiing and golfing. He loved to read and eagerly kept up with business, finance and politics.
Joe and Emily welcomed one and all to their home, including exchange students from Brazil, Argentina, France and Germany. Over the years, various young people summered with them. Joe loved being at the head of the family table hosting countless gatherings, especially at their beach house in Madison, Connecticut. After his retirement, Joe was a mentor for S.C.O.R.E., was active in the Madison Winter Club and served on the Neighbor Beach Association for Seaview Beach. He walked his neighborhood almost daily to survey beach conditions, taking pride in being a good steward of the Seaview Community.
During his illness, Joe spent his remaining time making sure he checked in with daily calls to family and friends while taking in the beautiful Delaware sunsets from his back porch in the company of his cherished dog, Toby.
A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, October 12, 2020 at the Long Neck Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, DE 19966, where friends may gather at 10:00 AM. Internment will be private. Due to Covid19, masks and social distancing are required.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Joe’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project by visiting www.woundedwarriorproject.org or American Cancer Society.
This information was obtained from: https://www.melsonfuneralservices.com/obituary/joseph-beerbower.