John Eugene Becker

John Eugene Becker passed away peacefully after a long illness on November 19, 2021. He is survived by his beloved wife, Carol Waldmann Becker, and his three cherished sons: John Becker of Burlington, VT, Greg Becker (Jane) of Fairfield, CT, and Jason Becker (Caroline) of Easton, CT, as well as eight grandchildren who brought him so much joy: Katherine and Ella Becker, Natalie, Matthew, Daniel and Emily Becker, and Lillian and Victoria Becker.

John was born on February 13, 1937, in Milford, CT, the younger brother of Louella Nicolari (deceased), Virginia White (Annapolis, MD), Joseph Becker (Cohasset, MA) and the older brother of Jerome Becker (deceased) and James Becker (Milford). He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. In his youth, he developed a love of sports, particularly basketball, and made a lifelong friend in Alphonse Russo.

After graduating from Milford High School, he enlisted in the army. He served in Africa for two years. Upon his return home, he enrolled in Southern Connecticut State University where he met the love of his life, Carol. They were married in June of 1964. After briefly working as a teacher, John began working at his father-in-law’s business, Anton Waldmann and Associates in College Point, Queens.

John and Carol moved to the beach area of Fairfield after the birth of their first two children, and they spent many happy years raising their three boys on Birch Road. John continued to commute to Queens, and when the boys were older, was joined by Carol. They worked together there for many years, John as purchasing agent for the company and Carol as CEO.

John’s greatest joy was watching his children play sports. He coached them and their friends in baseball and basketball and, when he wasn’t coaching, could be found keeping statistics for their games. He was an avid Yankees, Giants, and Knicks fan, and often took his sons to Mets games since Shea Stadium wasn’t far from the family business. He loved to golf and particularly enjoyed playing with his brother, Joe.

John and Carol retired to a house even closer to the beach in John’s beloved Milford, and his childhood friend, Al Russo and his wife, Brenda, moved right around the corner. After his health declined, John and Carol moved again to live with their son Jason and his family in Easton. The family is very grateful for Jason and Caroline’s love and support during the final years of John’s illness.

Before his illness, John and Carol loved to travel with his brother Joe and Joe’s wife, Kathy. John especially enjoyed attending University of Vermont men’s basketball games after his son John became a coach there. He supported all of his grandchildren at their games and performances and was very proud of their accomplishments.

The family is grateful for the loving care John received at Maefair in Trumbull for the last five months of his life and for the compassionate care he received from Vitas (hospice). Friends and family may pay their respects on December 12 at Spear Miller Funeral Home at 39 South Benson Road in Fairfield from 1-4 p.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made the Beth-El Center at 90 New Haven Avenue in Milford, Connecticut, where John volunteered in the soup kitchen for many years.

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