Lester Franklin "Frank" Beers, Jr.

Lester Franklin Beers, Jr., known to family and friends as “Frank”, age 85, of Newark, DE, passed away on Monday, August 16, 2021 surrounded by his loving wife of 60 years, Peggy, and children, Susan and Steven. Born in Danbury, CT on August 5, 1936, he was a son of the late Lester F. and Elizabeth (Gates) Beers, Sr. Frank was a longtime resident of Newark, moving here at the age of 5 from Danbury, CT. He graduated Newark High in 1954. Frank served 8 years in the U.S. Army Reserves. His greatest service to the Newark community was his 63 years of membership with Aetna Hose, Hook, & Ladder Company. During his time with the fire department, Frank rose to be Chief of the Department and served as President of the fire company. He served 2 terms on the Board of Directors. Frank spent many years as the driving instructor for the fire department teaching firefighters on how to drive and operate the pumper trucks and ladder truck. Frank was part of the committee that brought the first ladder truck to Newark in 1971. In his professional life Frank was licensed as a Professional Land Surveyor. Many of today’s developments and roadways in New Castle County and surrounding areas were laid out under Frank’s supervision. He enjoyed boating and fishing in his spare time. Frank was a fan of country music and old western movies. In addition to his parents, Frank was preceded in death by his brother, Richard; and infant sister, Susan. He is survived by his wife, Peggy (Alley) Beers; children, Susan Beers-Augusiewicz (Steven) and Steven (Chandra) Beers; brother, Donald (Louanne); grandchildren, Nicole Gawczynski (Steven), Morgan Garmon (Josh), Matthew, Ashton, Seth, Shannon, Charris, and Sydney; and 7 great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Bryson, Ethan, Manny, Alexis, Caleb, and Makenna. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 6 pm until 8 pm on Monday, August 23, 2021 at Aetna Hose, Hook, & Ladder Company Station #8, 410 Ogletown Road, Newark, DE. A second visitation will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at the fire house, where a funeral service will begin at 11 am. Face coverings will be required for all those in attendance not immunized with the COVID-19 vaccine per the Governor of Delaware. Interment will follow in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 N. DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Frank’s memory to the Aetna Hose, Hook, & Ladder Company, P.O. Box 148, Newark, DE 19715 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.

Lester Franklin "Frank" Beers, Jr.

August 5, 1936 - August 16, 2021