Richard W. Beko, 89, U.S. Navy Veteran

Born in Lorain on February 16, 1932, Mr. Beko was a graduate of Lorain High School.

Following a brief period of employment at U.S. Steel Corporation’s Lorain-Cuyahoga Works, he was inducted into the United States Navy in 1952. He fulfilled duty assignments as a crewman aboard the Ticonderoga Class aircraft carrier U.S.S. Leyte (CVS-32); and was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal as well as the Navy Occupation (European) Medal.

Upon his return from the military, Richard joined Nelson Stud Welding Corporation where he embarked on a career that spanned forty-three years with the manufacturer. He retired as a floor foreman in 1994. While employed there, he was a member and former Secretary of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 1539.

A parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Mr. Beko enjoyed a variety of hobbies and interests in his free time. He liked vegetable gardening, fishing, and walking; in addition, he was an avid reader with a special interest in stories relating to military history and the maritime. A devoted fan of both the Cleveland Browns and Indians, he also enjoyed dancing at the former Cosmopolitan Dance Club. It was that love of dance that found him meeting the woman that he would eventually marry.

Richard also possessed a passion for the water and was a boat owner for the majority of his adult life. He was a long-time member of the Lorain Yacht Club and served as Commodore there in 1980.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-eight years Dolores L. (nee Kuzniar) along with daughters Cynthia Truskot (Tom) of Vermilion, Kaye Lynn Astorino (Frank) of Avon, and Denise Smith (Conrad) of Guthrie, Oklahoma. In addition, he leaves grandchildren Christina Smith, Ryan Truskot, Natalie Smith, Elizabeth Astorino, Aaron Truskot, and Kaitlin Truskot, great grandson Thomas Jacob Truskot, brother Norman Beko (Sharon) of Pismo Beach, California, and sisters Doris Salazar of San Dimas, California and Judy Dudukovich (Hank) of Lorain.

Richard was preceded in death by his mother Vera (nee Striker) in 1978 and his father William J. Beko in 1995.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted privately for the family in St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church with Reverend Frank P. Kosem officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery where military honors will be conducted by Amvets Post # 32 of Elyria.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mr. Beko’s memory are encouraged to St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church – 1305 East Erie Avenue, Lorain, OH 44052.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel. To share your memories and condolences with the Beko Family, please visit www.gluvna.net.