On December 27, 1942, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Manhattan, Dorothea Campbell Brown and John A. Beacco Sr. welcomed their only child, John A. Beacco Jr., into the world. John lived in New York City with his mother and maternal grandparents while his father served in WWII. The family moved to his father’s home on Goodrich Street in Stockbridge. John attended the Stockbridge Plain School and graduated as valedictorian of Williams High School in 1960, where he played baseball, basketball, and soccer. In 1960, he matriculated to Amherst College, graduating in 1964 with a B.A. in History. While at Amherst, John played varsity baseball for three years and was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He later earned an M.Ed. in Educational Administration from the University of Arizona and an M.Ed. in Secondary Education from MCLA.
John began his teaching career at Cornwall Academy. After Cornwall, he returned to his high school alma mater, which became Monument Mountain High School. John would teach and chair the history department for 25 years and coach baseball and cross-country at Monument and DeSisto School. Many of his students continued to keep in touch with him until his passing. The family has heard from hundreds of former students sharing stories of John’s positive impact on their lives.
John took a very active role in Stockbridge politics, winning a selectman position in 1974. He would continue administering the town with his beloved friend Mary Flynn for 24 years. He was chairman for 21 of those years and, along with his good friend Jack Spencer, prevented the overdevelopment of the town by those who valued profit over open space. He wasn’t afraid of controversy, and, regardless of people’s opinions of him, he never wavered from his beliefs and values.
John is survived by his wife Patricia Holian Beacco; his sons, John A. III and Christopher James and wife Susan Kinne Beacco; and his three grandchildren, Gianna (John III), Carlin, and Grayson (Christopher). In addition, he leaves his sisters-in-law, Barbara Holian, Susan Holian, and Christina Jones. His dogs were especially dear to him, providing balance and unconditional love (Blondie, Sporty, Gus, Dustin, Quincy, Sophie, Natale, Bobbi, and Rodeo).
There will be no calling hours. The family will hold a cremation burial at a later date. Anyone wishing to make a donation in John’s memory should do so at an animal shelter of their choosing. The family would like to thank the wonderful doctors and nurses at Baystate Medical Center, HospiceCare of the Berkshires, and all of John’s wonderful friends who have been incredibly supportive.
