James W. Beck Sr. | VFW post commander, 85

James W. Beck Sr., 85, of Broomall, a retired Peco supervisor and VFW post commander who participated in graveside military honors for hundreds of veterans, died of cancer Wednesday at his home.

During World War II, Mr. Beck served in the Navy aboard a cargo ship, the Saturn, in the Atlantic and a supply ship, the Corduba, in the Pacific.

He was a founding member and commander of Veterans of Foreign War Post 7390 in Broomall. He was involved with the creation of Veterans Memorial Park in Broomall, and in 2000 helped found the Marple Newtown Combined Veterans Alliance.

The alliance, which includes members of his VFW post, American Legion Post 805, and the Smedley Butler Detachment of the Marine Corps, provides honor guards for veterans' funerals in Delaware County - sometimes as many as six a week. He designed a patch for the honor guards' jackets, his daughter, Julia, said, and was responsible for maintaining the ceremonial rifles.

Mr. Beck grew up in South Philadelphia and marched in Mummers parades. He later was a parade marshal for the Woodland String Band.

After his miliary service, he worked in the mailroom at Philadelphia Electric Co. He worked his way up to crane operator and retired as a supervisor in the transportation department in 1987.

He enjoyed playing golf with family at McCall Golf and Country Club in Upper Darby.

In addition to his daughter, Mr. Beck is survived by his wife of 63 years, Julia Weisback Beck; sons James Jr. and William; three grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

A Funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Pius X Church, 220 Lawrence Rd., Broomall. Friends may call at D'Anjolell Memorial Home, 2811 West Chester Pike, from 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow and 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Monday. Burial will be in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Marple Township.