MARCO ISLAND, Fla. - Gary E. Beebe, age 61, of Marco Island, Fla., passed away Wednesday, March 30, 2011. Gary was born and raised in Oneida, NY. He obtained an undergraduate degree in Plastics Engineering at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, and two masters – MBA in Business (Ohio University) and MS in Color Science (Clemson University). He was very well respected in his field. He married Victoria M. McGlone in 1993.
The Society of Plastics Engineers Color and Appearance Division have scholarships available for qualified individuals. One of the five scholarships was dedicated to Gary Beebe. The endowment fund is the brainchild of Gary's, one of SPECAD's past presidents. Gary created and spent many of his years on the board shepherding this project. His commitment and perseverance from creating the funding mechanism, growth and maintenance plans and finally working on the distribution of these scholarships was remarkable. Gary truly felt that education was the only way we could give back to those coming along behind us in the industry. Although Gary was happily "retired" in sunny Marco Island, Fla. he still maintained an interest in the scholarship process.
Gary owned and operated two ice cream stores on Marco Island – Sweet Annie's and Beebe's Ice Cream. Gary was a mentor to many - both in color science/plastics and with the staff at the ice cream stores. When Gary was not scooping ice cream, he enjoyed baseball (Yankees), his time relaxing in his pool, his many trips to Disney World and his recently rescued 2-year-old black lab, Izzie. Investing was his hobby. Gary was a big teddy bear who liked to act tough. He was loved and will be missed more than he will ever know.
Apart from Victoria, Gary is survived by his mother-in-law, Dolores McGlone also of Marco Island, his brother, Raymond Beebe (Camden, N.Y.), his niece, Julianne Scanlan (Schoharie, N.Y.) and his nephew, Gregg Beebe (Houston, Texas).
A Memorial Gathering for Gary E. Beebe of Marco Island, Fla., will be held at Fuller Funeral Home, 4735 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, Fla. on Wednesday, April 6, from 4-6 p.m. Anyone wishing to express condolences is asked to give donations to their local paramedics, or the
American Heart Association
. For online condolences, visit:
www.fullerfuneralhome.com
