Obituary of Francis X. Becker

Ret. New York State Supreme Court Justice Francis X. Becker, Lynbrook, New York has died at the age of 90 by complications from dementia. Predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth “Betsy” Becker, he was born and lived in Lynbrook, where they raised 12 children. He is the son of Congressman Frank J. Becker, deceased. A lifelong Lynbrook resident he grew up on Winter Street with his father, mother Claire, sister Betty Ann and Robert (Bob) his brother. He was devoted to the Catholic faith. Baptized and attending the old St. Raymond RC Church, East Rockaway and then Our Lady of Peace Church Lynbrook. He served regularly as an altar boy, many times with his brother Bob. His Catholic faith would guide and influence his principles, morals, ethics and beliefs for all his life. Upon his graduation and immediately following the diploma ceremony from Lynbrook High School, Class of 1943, he proceeded to board a train at the Lynbrook station to attend a summer session at Tusculum College, Tennessee. He always attributed those few summer credits he would need years later after serving the military, to his acceptance into Cornell Law School. After that summer he enlisted in the United States Army Air Force. While in the USAAF he received The American Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He was a Gold Glove Champion for the United States Army Air Force. Judge Becker took great pride of his service to our country and was most grateful to all who serve, served and particularly those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our great nation. At Cornell University he would meet his wife Elizabeth “Betsy” (Dunker) on the steps of the Science Building. Both he and Betsy are graduates of Cornell University. After his undergraduate studies, he worked his way through Cornell Law School moving furniture with a small pickup and then married the love of his life, Betsy. He graduated Cornell Law School and opened a private law practice in Lynbrook, next to his father’s insurance company, the Frank J. Becker Insurance Agency on Forest Avenue. As an attorney his local practice consisted of residential and commercial real estate, insurance, injury and specialized in courtroom litigation. Over the years as Betsy and Francis’s family grew, having bought a house on Winter Street, Lynbrook, down the block from the house he grew up in, the loving couple quickly found their family outgrowing their home. After having their seventh child, they decided that it was time to find larger accommodations in Lynbrook. During the end of summer, 1960, they moved their family to Scranton Avenue, where the family continued to grow. In talking about the move, Judge Becker gave all the credit to Betsy for finding such a perfect place, with all the room and yard necessary to raise their family. Betsy was often asked by her children how she had 12 children and she would answer, “well your father and I we were both praying to God for six children and God answered both of our prayers”. Francis and Betsy professed their Catholic faith as husband and wife which guided them daily throughout their 49 years of marriage and the upbringing of their twelve children. He enjoyed gardening, maintaining his lawn and planting flowers. He was very proud of the home he created with Betsy for their children. He was a good handyman and yard keeper and with six sons and a very large home and property to maintain, he took a great interest in assuring his sons were well trained in home and garden maintenance. In 1967, as a lifelong Lynbrook resident, he decided to run for Mayor, a position that defined his political and government career. He campaigned on cleaning up Lynbrook’s environment by closing down the metal and junk scrapyards lining Merrick Road and Sunrise Highway, beautifying Lynbrook by creating “pocket parks” and homeowner beautification awards, creating a new marketing mantra “Lynbrook USA, the village that leads the way!”, built a new and current Village Hall and created and built the Nathan Hale Senior Citizen Housing Complex to keep our senior residents living in Lynbrook and so much more over his years as Mayor. He would always be quick to display his appreciation and thank all those who served during his administrations and made possible so many great accomplishments. “No one person could do this work alone, I had a dedicated, committed group of wonderful people who cared for their village as I did, employees and volunteers alike and my loyal brother, Bob to thank.” As Mayor, Becker believed that his ultimate responsibility was to represent and protect the Lynbrook taxpayer from wasteful spending, higher taxes and properly manage government’s checkbook. When he spoke to residents he often stated, “all taxes infringe upon our freedoms!” and would explain, “higher taxes means less freedom!” He realized that every penny he saved for the Lynbrook taxpayer was vital to the residents of Lynbrook he served for 14 years. In 1980, as a highly experienced and respected lawyer and Mayor he was asked by the Republican and Conservative parties to seek election to the New York State Supreme Court within the 10th Judicial District of Nassau County. Having won the election by a wide margin, Mayor Becker then became Judge Becker. During his 14 years on the bench, he had quickly earned the reputation as being a tough but fair jurist that held all lawyers to the highest of ethical standards and code of conduct. He demanded that any lawyer entering his courtroom be prepared. Judge Becker enjoyed and appreciated when young lawyers would enter his courtroom prepared and ready to represent their clients. He would often share moments with them after the case concluded and would critique their performance to assist them in future appearances before the Supreme Court. Judge Becker was a strong constitutionalist who believed in the three branches of government, Executive, Legislative and Judiciary. He strongly believed the separate responsibilities and duties of each assured that local elected legislative representatives make the laws of the state. He detested the overreaching acts of the courts and judges. He served as President of the New York State Judges Association for a one year term and in 1995 he retired from the bench and public life to enjoy his retirement years with his wife Betsy. In his retirement years he continued to enjoy tennis with his brother Bob and several friends who had played together for over 20 years at various indoor tennis facilities. Judge Becker was an avid golfer who often joined his sons, brother and friends on the golf course. He was a past member of the Rockville Centre Links and Country Club. Judge Becker was an active retiree. With his wife Betsy they would travel yearly to attend their Cornell University Alumni reunion in Ithaca, New York. They enjoyed the festivities and memories of their first meeting and courtship on the college campus. He and Betsy along with their children enjoyed decades of summer camping and experiences throughout Vermont for over 30 years. The typical favorite family summer vacation with their children and grandchildren would experience ten days of camping, fishing, hiking, swimming and golf on Lake Saint Catherine in Poultney Vermont all planned and prepared by Betsy and the Judge. Fly fishing on the Battenkill River, Vt, Beaverkill, NY and Jackson Hole, Wy became Judge Becker’s passion. He would also enjoy the art of tying a custom fly for fishing on his favorite rivers. His readings on the subject would expand and his interest in fly fishing had him quite often visiting the Orvis Center in Manchester, Vermont attending casting lessons and classes. One summer while fishing along the Battenkill River, he discovered a camp called the Battenkill Fly Fisherman’s Association and inquired about membership and he immediately joined. He had served as president of the association for many years. Several other fly fishing journeys included traveling as far as Jackson Hole and Cheyenne, Wyoming. His favorite spot was along the Snake River and traveling by car from campground to campground along the rivers below the majestic countryside and mountains. On one eventful trip his four high school aged sons joined their father to fly fish. Filled with fun and adventure, it was a memories to last a lifetime. On November 7, 1998, his wife of 49 years, Betsy, died suddenly from a brain aneurism. However his devotion and love for Betsy, would live on for the rest of his life. Judge Becker continued to be a very active loving and giving father, grandfather and great grandfather. After Betsy’s passing, his six daughters would annually invite him for a very special Thanksgiving weekend in North Carolina. Several daughters would travel a good distance to get there for their father. The six sisters enjoyed spoiling their father and he loved every minute of being spoiled by his six daughters. These Thanksgiving weekends created memories to last a lifetime. Attorney, Mayor, Justice of the New York State Supreme, Judge Becker would always tell family and friends his greatest and finest hour in life was when he married the love of his life, Betsy at Our Lady of Snows Catholic Church in Woodstock, Vermont on June 20, 1949. In marriage their love was solidified in their Catholic faith following the teachings of Jesus Christ which they instilled in their twelve children. On the Sunday morning, May 8, 2016, Mother’s Day, with family members by his side, Judge Becker peacefully died in the family home he and Betsy raised their twelve children. Mother’s Day was Betsy’s most favorite day of the year. Judge Becker, loving father is survived by Christina, Hon. Francis X.(Clementine), Hon. Gregory(Tina), Susanna(David)Weatherholt, Dr. Teresa(Kevin)Lynch, Elizabeth Corbett, Hon. Hilary(Geralyn), Timothy(Jennifer), Luke(Linda), Jane(William)Nothdorft, Damian(Jeanmarie), Anne(Stephen)Phillips, grandfather of 33 and great grandfather of 7. He is also survived by his brother Robert G. Becker and wife Peggy, sister Betty Ann, in-laws Byron “Buzz” and Barbara Dunker and 18 nieces and nephews. Retired New York State Supreme Court Justice. Born and raised in Lynbrook, graduate of Lynbrook HS, proud veteran of the US Army Air Force, graduate of Cornell University, Cornell Law School, Attorney at Law, elected Mayor of the Village of Lynbrook serving 14 years. He served as President, Nassau County Village Officials Assoc., Honorary Chief Lynbrook Volunteer Fire Dept., founder of Lynbrook Little League, founder of Lynbrook Youth Athletic Assoc., Member and Past President of Cornell Law School Alumni Assoc., founding member of Our Lady of Peace Holy Name Society, member of St. Mary’s Council Knights of Columbus, founding member of St. Raymond’s Holy Name Society, NY Elks Lodge #1, Lynbrook American Legion, Lynbrook Veterans of Foreign War Post #2307 and The Battenkill Fly Fisherman’s Assoc. Family will receive friends Tuesday and Wednesday 1pm-4pm and 6:30pm-9:30pm at the Perry Funeral Home, Inc., 118 Union Avenue, Lynbrook, New York. Funeral Mass Thursday 9:30am at St. Raymond RC Church, East Rockaway, New York. Interment to follow at Rockville Cemetery, Lynbrook, New York. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Lynbrook Fire Department, PO Box 7201, Lynbrook, NY, 11563 and Frank J. Becker Education Foundation, 34 Forest Avenue, Lynbrook, NY, 11563.