Paul Joseph Beck, age 72, of Dewittville, New York passed from this life on Monday, March 18 ^th , while at home.

He was born on December 19, 1946 in Williamsport, PA, the son of Lawrence and Bernice Beck, one of eleven children.  In September of 1965, he married Bonnie Kaye Bierman, also of Williamsport. He was employed by Cummins Engine Plant in Jamestown, New York, for thirty-two years until his retirement in 2011.

A model husband and father, he exemplified the virtues of love of God and duty to his family.  He was a faithful Catholic, a loyal son of the Church, upholding Her teachings unwaveringly in spite of the confusion around him.  Paul was a Dominican tertiary, with a great love for Our Lady and her Rosary. He served as a pillar of strength and stability to his wife and children, and to many others.  He loved the holy Mass in all its purity, attending Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Lackawanna until his death. He served there as coordinator and treasurer for many years, and his generosity led him to give of himself in the most menial and hidden of tasks.

He was a beloved husband to his wife, Bonnie for fifty-three years.  Their mutual fidelity amidst the inevitable hills and valleys of life was rooted in their love of God, who blessed their marriage with seventeen children who are profoundly grateful for their father's leadership and quiet love. His talents and skills were many and varied, and he especially enjoyed crafting wood projects for family and friends, and caring for the local cemetery of which he was president. He worked untiringly even up to his last moment: giving, sacrificing, serving… as a proof of his love.

Paul was preceded in death by his son, Francis, who died in 2002. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Bonnie, and six brothers and sisters:  Sr. Mary Columba O.P., Teresa (Bruce) Updegraff, Bernard (Joyce) Beck, Jeanne (Bill) Fox, Sr. Mary Gemma, O.P., and Cecile Beck.   He is also survived by sixteen children, five of whom have religious vocation:  Paul G. (Mary) Beck of Lawrenceville, NY; Fr. Gerard Beck, of Post Falls, ID; Lorene (Pete) Hoitink of Mayville, NY;  Sr. Jean Dominique O.P. (Regina) of  Post Falls, ID; Larisa Beck of Arcadia, CA; Sr. Marie Germaine (Mary) of Bremien, France;  Sr. Marie Theophane (Janet) of Sydney, Australia; Vincent (Jennifer) Beck of Walton, KY; Sr. Marie Carmel (Bernice) of the Dominican Republic; Rachel (David) Cardinale of Angola, NY;  Adam Beck of Dewittville, NY;  Gemma Beck of Post Falls, ID; Greta Beck of Post Falls, ID;  Marcel (Morgan) Beck of St. Marys, KS;  Jerome (Katie) Beck of Sinclairville, NY;  and Theresa Beck of St. Marys, KS.  He also has thirty-five grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

Paul will be remembered with gratitude and sadly missed by family and friends, whose hope and consolation are in Our Lord's promise to those who are faithful. Paul would not ask for any greater privilege than to hear the words: "Well done, good and faithful servant: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

Friends will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 24, at Freay Funeral Home in Mayville, NY, where a Rosary Service will be held at 7 p.m.

A Mass of Holy Requiem will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 25, at Corpus Christi Church in Buffalo, NY.  His son, Fr. Gerard Beck will be the celebrant.  Burial will be in the Centralia Union Cemetery.