John Joseph Beclay, age 97, passed away on Dec. 19, 2020, in Chagrin Falls.
He was born to Petronela and Jozef Becla, in Kaczanowka, Poland, on Sept. 22, 1923. He had a brother, Michal, and half-sister, Maria, both of whom are deceased.
Only 15 years old when Germany invaded Poland at the start of World War II, John escaped from a Nazi labor camp, fought to liberate Warsaw from Hitler’s occupation and evaded banishment to Siberia when fleeing Eastern Europe. Emigrating to the U.S., he enrolled in college without knowing English.
After graduation, John worked as a banker, married Sally Cikra and settled in Chester Township.
In 1980, John lost Sally to cancer when she was only 50 years old. Three years later, he met Gertrude Shuminski. They married, spent winters in Florida and traveled together until her passing in March 2020.
John loved to ski, swim, play golf and tennis, enjoy a good meal, dance to polka music and visit his family in Poland. Remarkably resilient and determined, he lived a full life well into his advanced years, but could not manage one last escape from COVID.
John is survived by his children, Margy Beclay Ross (Scott), John Beclay Jr. and Andy Beclay (Sue); grandchildren, Katie Ross, KC, Sally, Jack, Grant and John Beclay III; and numerous nieces and nephews in the U.S., U.K. and Poland.
Private services for John will be held graveside at All Souls Cemetery in Chardon Township.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorials in John’s name to the Foundation for Geauga Parks.
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