August 13, 1933 – December 2, 2012

After 79 years embracing life’s adventures, Robert J. Becker succumbed to cancer on December 2, 2012, in Largo, FL. Robert was born to John and Catherine Becker in Beaver Falls, NY. After moving to Buffalo, NY, he graduated from McKinley Vocational H.S. Soon after, Robert served our country in the army from 1954-56 where he was a PFC receiving a Good Conduct Medal and well as a National Defense Service Medal. His career started at Bell Aircraft, but the majority was spent working in the vending business for Interstate United and Canteen from 1960 until retirement in 1997.

Robert had a variety of interests: watercolor artist (for which he won many awards) and with his wife, Dolores, playing golf, tennis, biking, walking on the beach, and just enjoying the beautiful Florida sunshine together around their home in Largo. In Tonawanda, NY, Robert was a member of the Brighton Park Sr. Men’s Golf Club, the Senior Center, and a parishioner at St. Christopher’s Church. The two of them enjoyed their many travels, especially to Seattle and Las Vegas.

Robert was predeceased by his parents John (1984) and Catherine (1998), and his wife of 35 years, Lola Irene Becker (1999). He is survived by his loving wife of 12 years, Dolores Fusco Faherty Becker, his sons Leonard Mitchell and Jeffrey (Christina) Mitchell, sister Elizabeth “Betts” (Dick) Smith, Dolores’ children Mary Beth (Daniel) Carney, Kevin (Lynne) Faherty, and Susan (Steve) Heap, 13 grandchildren and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends – all of which he loved very much.

A memorial mass will be held on December 15, 2012, at 11 AM at St. Jerome’s Church in Largo, FL. A memorial mass will also be held in Tonawanda, NY, on April 6, 2013 at 11:30 AM, at St. Christopher’s Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Bay Pines VA HCS Hospice, P.O. Box 5005 Bay Pines, FL 33744.