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Norwalk Hospital will dedicate 2 newly renovated pediatric emergency rooms in memory of Dr. Al Beasley and Dr. Jean Beasley.
The husband-and-wife pediatricians were beloved in Westport. Dr. Al died last year; Dr. Jean passed away from cancer in 1973.
The most recent issue of Catalyst — the magazine published by Nuvance Health, Norwalk Hospital’s owner — devotes 2 pages to the Beasleys. The story notes that Al was the grandson of a Harvard-educated attorney who founded the Boston chapter of the NAACP; his father graduated from Harvard, his mother from Radcliffe. Al served 2 years as an Army reservist, the 4 years in the Air Force during the Korean War. He and Jean married while they were attending NYU Medical School.
Dr. Al Beasley was also a major benefactor of Staples Tuition Grants, in honor of Dr. Jean. (Hat tip: Burton Stuttman)
Dr. Jean Beasley and Dr. Al Beasley
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Sunrise Rotary Club sponsored a food drive collection yesterday, at Saugatuck Congregational Church. Norwalk’s great Person-to-Person organization was the beneficiary.
Sunrise Rotarians collect food. (Photo/Nick Mathias)
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Mondays are remarkable at the drive-in.
Upcoming screenings at Westport’s Remarkable Theater at the Imperial Avenue parking lot include:
- The Breakfast Club (June 28, 8:45 p.m.)
- Dirty Dancing (July 5, 9 p.m.)
- Pitch Perfect (July 12, 9 p.m.)
- Grease (July 19, 9 p.m.).
Click here for tickets, and more information.
“The Breakfast Club”: still hilarious after all these years.
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John (Jackie) Laux of Jersey City died June 9 in Midvale, Utah after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He passed at home to the tune of the Grateful Dead, surrounded by his wife Marybeth, son Robert, and daughters Kristen and Molly.
Jackie and Marybeth had recently relocated to Utah to live out his lifelong dream of becoming a ski bum and being closer to his grandchildren, Devyn and Callan Laux, and Maggie and Noelle Giusti.
Jackie was an accomplished hockey player, playing goalie for Iona College. He made many lifelong friends on the ice, a tradition that continued through his final years while refereeing youth hockey in Connecticut.
Jackie also loved golf, and was a proud member of Shorehaven Club in Norwalk. Surrounded by friends, he enjoyed the fresh air, light beers and moderate exercise, then met his children by the pool to catch a swimming, diving or tennis match.
He was always excited and proud to watch (or coach) his children’s soccer, baseball and softball games, and tennis matches. As his children grew, their joint love of sports grew into family gatherings at New York Giants and Rangers games.
Jackie’s generous personality garnered him hundreds of friends around the country. He was quick to lend a helping hand or buy a drink for a friend in need of company (or just plain fun). He connected with others instantly and deeply, and leaves behind a lasting impression on all who knew him.
Due to COVID, a private memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on July 12 at Westport’s Unitarian Church, and broadcast via Zoom (click here for the link). Following the service, family and friends are invited to Penfield Pavilion in Fairfield (5 p.m.).
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jackie’s name to Huntsman Cancer Institute or First Tee of Metropolitan New York.
Jackie Laux
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Staples’ spring hockey team won the Southern Connecticut Hockey League Division 3 Spring hockey championship, thumping North Branford 7-0 in the finals. Incoming captains Andrew Gebicki, Jason Wolgast and Cole Feinleib led the team.
Staples: spring league champs.
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo features a bee. It’s gorgeous — but the bee is also hard at work.
(Photo/Tracy Porosoff)
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And finally … Happy Industrial Workers of the World Day!
Loved the music & sentiment, haven’t heard these songs since the 60’s
Dr. Al Beasley was my pediatrician growing up and he was an absolutely fantastic person and doctor. I hated moving to a new doctor when it was time.
About Dr. Jean Beasley: From the NY Times obituary, Dr. Beasley earned a medical degree at New York University and was a pediatric interne [sic] at the Children’s Medical Center of Bellevue Hospital. She had also served on the staffs of the Norwalk and Yale‐New Haven Hospitals.
I love the song “Joe Hill” I first heard it sung by Pete Seeger. Joan Baez also does a nice version. All 3 renditions, Robeson, Seeger and Baez are outstanding in it’s own way.
Phil Ochs also turned in a nice version from his “Tape From California” LP:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kozWk8Ff_Xg
I love the song “Joe Hill”, I first heard it sung by Pete Seeger. Joan Baez also does a nice version. All three versions, Robeson, Seeger and Baez are outstanding in it’s own way.