Joseph “Joe” Charles Becker

YARMOUTH – Joseph “Joe” Charles Becker, beloved husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother, died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, April 12, 2025. He was 92 years old.

Joe’s father, Joseph Charles, was born in the Russian Empire and emigrated to the U.S. with his parents as a child. Joe’s mother, born Marie Mannion, was the child of Irish immigrants. They had three children, Arthur, Phyllis (Lyons), and Joe, who was born on Oct. 12, 1932, in Hoboken, N.J. Joe grew up in Hudson County, N.J., where he excelled at sports from an early age, starting with football and later adding basketball in high school. At St. Joseph’s Catholic High School, he led the boys’ basketball team to victory at the 1950 state championships and was designated an All-State player.

After high school, Joe worked briefly for Ford Motor Company on the assembly line. In 1952, he was recruited by the Navy to play basketball for the fleet headquarters team in Norfolk, Va. For two years, Joe’s team played in an all-Navy league against other bases and the teams on incoming ships. In 1954, after his honorable discharge, he obtained a basketball scholarship to attend St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, N.J. He graduated in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. During his college summers he worked as a lifeguard in Point Pleasant, N.J., beginning a lifelong love affair with the Jersey Shore.

In those years, Joe Becker was the life of the party, but even after he settled down a bit, his sense of humor never left him. Laughing and making others laugh were second nature to him. He was a consummate joke and storyteller and left those he encountered with smiles on their faces.

In 1958, after graduation, Joe took a job as a claims representative with American Mutual Insurance Company, where he would remain until the late 1980s, rising through the ranks over the years from claims rep to claims manager to assistant vice president. His work ethic was legendary; he was the one the company called upon to go into failing branch offices and whip things into shape.

During his college years, Joe courted the love of his life, Patricia Ann Matthews, another St. Joseph’s High graduate. Joe and Pat married on June 25, 1960, beginning an epic partnership that lasted 62 years. They moved into an apartment in Palisades Park, N.J., where Pat had their first child, John Michael. In 1962, Joe and Pat bought a home in Ridgewood, N.J., where they raised John and his three sisters, Mary Kathleen, Jahnet Ann, and Patricia Mary. Family was Joe’s highest priority, despite his often grueling work schedule, he committed to being home for dinner every night.

In addition to his commitment to family, faith was a cornerstone of Joe’s life. He volunteered at every Roman Catholic church where he was a parishioner. At Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, in Ridgewood, Joe coached boys’ and girls’ CYO basketball teams and served as stage manager for the parish musical productions. His annual performances as “The Marble Man” at the parish fair delighted kids and adults alike. After retirement, whether living in New Hampshire, New Jersey, or Maine, Joe stayed involved in the church, serving as a lector and a Eucharistic minister; assisting Pat at a parish food pantry; and co-hosting a post-Mass coffee hour. Joe was a regular attendant at Mass until his last days, often attending multiple days a week.

In retirement, Joe took on a new role: Pop-Pop, beloved grandfather of his five grandchildren, and honorary grandparent to many other children. He dove into grandparenthood with the same gusto and dedication that he put into his career and his basketball coaching. Pop-Pop was there for sporting events, plays, performances, as well as hosting “grandparents’ camp.”

Joe always loved the beach, and the family spent nearly every summer vacation at the Jersey Shore, particularly in Ocean City. Lying in the sun on the beach was his happy place. For several years in the 1990s, Joe achieved his dream of living at the shore full-time.

Joe loved playing, coaching, and watching basketball; his commitment to physical fitness into his 90’s astonished his friends and family. He enjoyed reading thrillers and mysteries and watching old classic films, modern action flicks, and nature documentaries. He liked to listen to ‘40s big band and ‘70s soft rock, and he and Pat loved to dance. He loved doing crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles, playing cards, and going to Broadway shows. His Dunkin Donuts coffee was “the nectar of the gods.” And he treasured every opportunity to chat and joke with his children and grandchildren.

In 1986, Joe and Pat moved from Ridgewood to Londonderry, N.H. In 2014, he and Pat moved to Yarmouth, to be closer to Mary and Jim. This move gave Joe a front row seat for the births of his two great-grandchildren. After the death of his partner and soul mate Patricia in February 2023, Joe moved in with Mary and Jim to spend his last years. He often spoke of how much he was looking forward to reuniting with Pat, and wondered what items she would have on her “honey-do” list for him.

Joseph Becker is survived by his children, John Becker (Mary Christin), Mary Becker Highland (James), Jahnet Sims, and Trish Becker (Hiro Saito); his grandchildren, Carolyn Highland (Andy Maguire), Robert Highland (Katelyne), Matthew Highland (Sierra Stone), Hannah Sims, and Ahleah Sims; his great-grandchildren, William James Highland and Rowen Marie Highland; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visiting hours will be from 5 to 7 p.m., on Tuesday, April 22, at Lindquist Funeral Home, 1 Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., on Wednesday, April 23, at Sacred Heart Church, 326 Main St., Yarmouth. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery at a later date. Please visit http://www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to sign Joe’s online guest book.