MADISON – David A. Beckwith Sr., 63, quietly slipped away in the dark early hours of Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009, in the home that he designed and built, after a valiant fight with leukemia. Born May 6, 1946, in Worcester, Mass., he was the son of Walter Everett and Alice (Noyes) Beckwith.
Dave grew up in South Attleboro, Mass., and was educated in the elementary schools of the Seventh-day Adventist educational system. He graduated from Greater Boston Academy, later attending Atlantic Union College. Dave and Barbara Demchak were married Aug. 23, 1989. An EMS provider for more than 34 years, he completed courses at Northern Maine Community College, was an instructor for Aroostook EMS, and received his paramedic certificate from Kennebec Valley Community College. He worked for the Ashland ambulance service and was an officer with Ashland Fire Department, Keegan Ambulance, Presque Isle, and was the base manager of Keegan Ambulance, Madison. He was owner of Central Ambulance, Madison, was a staff paramedic with Anson-Madison-Starks Ambulance Service from 1989 to 2004, and was their service director from 2004 until his passing. He was a former member of Madison Fire Department. He was a member of Indian Spring Lodge No. 115, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Madison.
Dave operated and owned Beckwith’s Cash Service, Ashland, and more recently designed and developed Trolley Line Drive Neighborhood, Madison. His other interests included making wine with the fruits from his gardens and the identification, study of and cuisine of local edible mushrooms.
In 2008 he realized a lifelong dream by purchasing My Cousin’s Place, Norridgewock. Some of his hap-piest hours were spent mingling with staff and customers at his restaurant, along with spending time at Spring Lake, drowning worms and boating. Dave would have wanted to be remembered as a kind, fair and generous person. He would have given a total stranger the shirt off his back and his last five dollars. He took pride in being a problem solver. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Demchak of Madison; his mother, Alice Wortman of Hendersonville, N.C.; two sons, David A. Beckwith Jr. and his wife, Monique, and their daughter, Brianna, of Orange, Mass., and Andrew J. Beckwith of Madison; one daughter, Deborah Mullen and her husband, Dale, and their children, Elizabeth and Jonethen of Oakland; two stepsons, Everett B. Flannery III and his wife, Katie, and their daughter, Madilyn of Skowhegan and Sgt. Ian E. Flannery of Fayetteville, N.C.; one stepdaughter, Beth N. Huston and her husband, Gunnery, Sgt. Don and their son, Devan, of Beaufort, S.C.; one brother, James Beckwith and his fianc?e, Sue, of Freeport; two sisters, Janice Lindfors and her husband, John, of Henderson-ville, N.C., and Kathy Rice and her husband, David, of Glen Allen, Va.; his father-in-law, Edward J. Demchak of Anson; his brother-in law, George E. Demchak of Madison; along with several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and many great friends. He was predeceased by his father, Walter; his stepfather, Gordon Wortman; and mother-in-law, Louise Demchak.
A celebration of David’s life will be held 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, at Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan. Donations preferred to Maine EMS Memorial Fund, care of KVEMS, 71 Halifax St., Winslow, ME 04901 or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517.