In Memory of Mr. Beckett of Calais High School

11/27/2016

Today would have been Mr. Beckett's 70th birthday. He was known for his dry sense of humor. Several years ago, one of his students presented him with a list of his most well worn quips. That evening he shared it with me and we had a great chuckle. I think he laughed harder than I did. I found this with his things that he carried in his shirt pocket every day and decided that today would be a good day to share it with you. If you have any favorite "Mr Beckettisms", I would love to hear them.
-Eva Beckett

04/13/2016

What a wonderful tribute! Phil cared so much about his students, his legacy will live on at Calais High School!

From Eva:

"THE HUNGER GAMES CALAIS STYLE
For the past 5 years the Calais High School Student Council has a supper to benefit the local food pantry called The Hunger Games. When you pay for your ticket you draw a stone from a jar. The color of the stone determines your fate of which table you will be seated at and which meal you will be given. There are 6 tiers of meals. The lucky 6 who got tier #1 were given a fancy table and a meal fit for royalty, while tier #6 got cheese sandwiches, tomato soup and marshmallows for dessert. Other tables seafood stuffed chicken,chicken parmesan, meat lasagna, Mac and cheese with red hot dog, or cheese pizza. The levels of meals also represent the levels of hunger in America, especially Washington county. Its a good time for a good cause.

Last week I got a call from a friend who worked with Phil asking me if I was planning to go to the Hunger Games. I've been in the past, but since I had an appointment in Bangor. I really hadn't planned to go. He kept urging me to go, so I agreed. I figured there was a reason I needed to go, but I couldn't imagine what it was.

When I arrived, I was escorted to table #1. Ohhh lucky me!!! The last time I went, I was on tier #6 and got to eat Ramon noodles. At the end of the meal there was a talk about hunger in our area and how so many people were helped by the local food pantry. Since such a large number of children were helped (children at the elementary get backpacks on Friday with enough food for the weekend),they are opening a food pantry at the high school for the students there. Now the reason I was invited....
The food pantry will be in Phil's classroom and will be named The Beckett Memorial Food Pantry!!! What a fitting tribute to someone who cared so much for his Students! I had no idea they were doing this. It was an overwhelming moment. I am so touched by this. And to think. I was so tired when I got back from Bangor that I almost didn't go. We got back just in time to go and now I'm so glad I went."

12/09/2015

12/09/2015

Found a bunch of pictures on my iPad tonight from the last time I subbed for Mr. Beckett.... The memories :)

11/28/2015

Mr. Beckett would've turned 69 today. We sure do miss you, Phil. Happy birthday.

08/03/2015

As we prepare to move again, Nathan and I are finding all kinds of gifts we received from Phil and lots of different mementos. This morning, I rediscovered this photo of Phil as a kid that had been tucked away into a dresser drawer for safe keeping.

04/10/2015

I found this photo while searching for pics of me and my brothers to put on my personal page for Sibling's Day and thought I'd share. This was taken in October 2007 at an engagement party for Nathan and I.

02/17/2015

02/17/2015

Wow! Almost 1000 likes! Phil wouldn't have believed it!

11/27/2014

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Mr. Beckett would have turned 68 today, and with Thanksgiving falling on his birthday this year it's safe to assume he would be mixing up a batch of his pistachio pudding, fruit, and cool whip desert concoction (lovingly referred to as "Christmas Vomit" by his middle son, Nathan,) right about now. Later this evening he'd be blaming the "Pie Rats" for eating up all the tasty desserts. He'd play the Pachelbel Cannon CD during the meal and tell stories of memorable students and his own antics at Calais High, and after dinner the evening would be spent watching a mix of "Punkin Chunkin" and the History Channel.

Happy Birthday, Phil! We miss you!!!

09/22/2014

Thanks for sharing the picture Jackie Lyons Page!