Beamish, Dr. Norman C.

Fairport: Dr. Norman C. Beamish passed away peacefully on January 25, 2018 at the age of 87. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Anne; his children Bill (Suzanne) Beamish, Steve (Jane) Beamish and Susie (Dean) Hereford; his grandchildren, Sarah Johnson, Jessica Belloni, Kelly Beamish, Jack Hereford, Abigail Langworthy, Hannah Beamish, and Allie Beamish; as well as 7 great-grandchildren.

Norman was born and raised as an only child in Fredonia, NY.  He graduated from the Fredonia State Teachers College with his Bachelor degree in Music Education in 1953 and spent his entire professional life in music as a teacher, writer, administrator, and trumpet player in several groups including the Tonawanda American Legion Post 264 band.  He earned both his Masters in Music Education in the 60’s and his Doctorate in Curriculum Development in 1979 from the State University of NY (SUNY) at Buffalo.

His career began on Long Island as an elementary school music teacher. This was followed by a teaching position in the Lockport, NY school district, where he met his wife Mary Anne.  He was drafted into the US Army in 1955 and spent 2 years in the US Army Band.  He was the Niagara-Wheatfield school district Chair of Music until 1980 and moved to the Auburn, NY school system as the Music Administrator until his retirement in 1989.

Over their 62 years of marriage, he, his wife Mary Anne, and their family lived in New York state including Lockport, North Tonawanda, Auburn, and Fairport, with more than 30 summers on Wellesley Island in the 1000 Islands.  They also spent a year in Cleveland, OH while Norman took a sabbatical at Case Western Reserve University in the late 60’s.

Norman was passionate about music and his family.  He loved being with friends and family and was always fun to be with.  He was well read and took great joy from spirited debates on a wide variety of topics.  He was very competitive and in constant pursuit of excellence, whether it was one of his music programs or a card game such as Contract Bridge.  His sense of humor, his insight, and loving support will be sadly missed by his family, friends, and by people whose lives he touched.

Calling hours will be Saturday, February 10th from 12 noon to 3 pm.  At 3 pm Celebration-of-his-life will follow at the Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home (Egypt Location), 7501 Pittsford Palmyra Rd., Fairport. Donations may be made to either, Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Rd., Fairport or to Visiting Nurse Foundation, 2180 Empire Blvd., Webster, NY 14580.