Obituary: Paul R. 'Bops' Beatty Sr.

1937-2024

Paul R. “Bops” Beatty Sr., age 86, longtime resident of Youngstown and Lewiston, passed peacefully at Niagara Hospice on Feb. 4, 2024, surrounded by family.

Paul was born March 9, 1937, in Niagara Falls, the son of the late William and Blanche Garrow Beatty. In 1961, he married Elizabeth “Jean” Switzer Beatty. They were married for 51 years prior to her death in 2012. Paul enjoyed life with Jean to the fullest and traveled often and far to visit family and friends. Having grown up on the banks of the Niagara River, Paul had a lifelong love of boats and being on the water, especially at their cottage in Canada. He was a great storyteller and a wonderful singer. He enjoyed evenings out playing cards and shuffleboard, or just hanging with friends. He loved a good-toasted tomato sandwich; fresh corn-on-the-cob; fruit pies; and was always in search of the best local produce.

Paul started in the car business as a teenager and remained in the business for nearly 70 years. He was proud of the connections he made in the car business and was seen as a staple of the community his entire life. He was a good friend to many and maintained those relationships until the end.

For the last 22 years, Paul’s passion centered on supporting, volunteering, and bringing attention to the amazing end-of-life care offered by Niagara Hospice. This began with the first Jack Beatty Memorial Regatta started in honor of his late brother in 2001.

Paul proudly wore his trademark Hospice hat and frequently spoke about the value of end-of-life care. Paul took great pride in being a volunteer ambassador and was humbled and surprised when the Paul R. Beatty Sr. Residential Suites at Niagara Hospice were dedicated in his honor.

It was beautifully fitting that, one week before his passing, Paul was able to walk into the new residential wing to receive his own end-of-life care. To the end, he continued to talk about the care available through Niagara Hospice and would certainly join us now in thanking the entire staff for the love and attention given to him, and for the constant support and empathy provided to his family.

Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Jean; by his brothers, Jack Beatty and Bob Beatty; and by sisters Connie Carkeet, Mary Jane Norris, Gloria Beatty and Gail Beatty. He is survived by his five children: Karen Ruero of Lewiston, Linda (Shawn) Wise of Boylston, Massachusetts, Paul (Joanne) Beatty Jr. of Youngstown, Charlotte (Tom) Destino of Asheville, North Carolina, and Steven (Jodi) Beatty of St. Ignace, Michigan; by his grandchildren: Charlie Ruero, Shawn Jr. (Chrissy), Patrick, and Mary Kate Wise, Paul III, Lindsay, Katie, and Joseph Beatty, Alex (Brigit), Anna, and Max Destino, Melissa and Shelly Beatty; by his great-granddaughter Breanne Wise; by a brother, Richard Beatty of Rochester; by a sister, Judy Killian of Tonawanda; and by many nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

A celebration of Paul’s life will be held on his birthday, March 9, at 7 p.m. at the Brickyard Brewing Company, 436 Center St., Lewiston.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport, NY 14094.