The Firefighter 5
Obituary
Sandy Beckman dies , led fire boat project
Sandy Beckman , president of the Buffalo Fire Boat Preservation Club that led efforts to restore the E . M . Cotter , the world ’ s oldest working fire boat , died Sept . 25 , 2021 . His long-standing association with firefighting began when he was a student at the University of Buffalo . “ One of his assignments was that they had to find something they ’ d be interested in doing for the city ,” his wife , Sharon , said . “ He wound up in the fire department .” After the assignment was completed , he stayed on , not battling blazes , but as part of a contingent of volunteers who assisted the full-time firefighters . He later became a member of the Fire Bell Club of Buffalo , which supports the Buffalo Fire Department . He served a term as president and several terms as treasurer . He also was a volunteer with Erie County ’ s fire auxiliary for 33 years before it was disbanded in 1992 and was an auxiliary fire chief in the county ’ s Department of Fire Safety . Born in Buffalo , Mr . Beckman was a 1954 graduate of Bennett High School . He earned a bachelor ’ s degree in
SANDY BECKMAN
business from UB . As a young man , he assisted in his father ’ s hardware store on Grant Street and served as a medic in the Army Reserve . Also , he was a longtime member of the Brotherhood at Temple Beth Zion . He enjoyed boating and fishing with family and friends and took an annual fishing trip to Canada with his buddies . He met his wife of 56 years , the former Sharon Pepperman , on a blind date set up by one of his UB fraternity brothers . Survivors also include two sons , Joel and Todd ; and two grandchildren .
Firemen ’ s Memorial Exhibit Center of Western New York
4141 Seneca St . • West Seneca , NY 14224 • ( 716 ) 712-0413 www . firemensexhibitcenter . com
The founders of the Firemen ’ s Memorial Exhibit Center of Western New York , Inc . are tracing the history of firefighting in this area with a priceless collection of memorabilia and equipment used from the days of the bucket brigades to the motorized vehicles of the present day .
Firemen have been an integral part of our communities . Our organization promotes the history of fire services in Western New York , educates the public through firematic displays and offers fire prevention programs .
JOIN US AND BE A PART OF GATHERING THE HISTORY OF THE FIRE SERVICE IN WESTERN NEW YORK
The first Sunday in November is when
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS in most areas of the U . S ., so we ’ ll “ FALL BACK ” one hour and return to Standard Time on
Sunday , Nov . 7 , 2021 , at 2 a . m .