Obituary of George E. Becker

George Edwin Becker, 92, died peacefully on March 16, 2019. He was born to Marjorie Cochran Becker and George Edwin Becker on August 25, 1926 and attended Bayside High School and Rhodes School in Rhodes, NY where he graduated in June 1944.  He then joined the Navy, volunteering for the Marine Corps as a Petty Officer third class. Upon his discharge in July 1946, he spent one fall semester at Hunter College before entering the apprenticeship of the United New York Sandy Hook Pilots’ Benevolent Association in February 1947.  In 1954 after his completion of the 7-year apprenticeship, he became a New York Sandy Hook Pilot and married Nancy Horne on October 2. As a Sandy Hook Harbor Pilot, he piloted a variety of ships in and out of New York Harbor, Long Island Sound, and the Rhode Island area, as well as serving as Vice President of the Association. George’s career spanned 37 years until his retirement in 1991. 

George became a passionate and active member of Port Washington Yacht Club in 1963, serving as Membership Chairmen and Club Secretary and participating in many of the club’s functions including Junior Yacht Club, race committee, trap shooting and more. George and Nancy were honored to be recipients of the Port Washington Yacht Club PICA award.  

As a Manhasset resident since 1956, George has had a long record of community service including Vice Commander, Adjutant and Service Officer of the American Legion Post 304.  In 1966 he joined the Manhasset Kiwanis Club where he served as President and Co-President for several terms. 

George’s long-time wife, Nancy Horne Becker, predeceased her husband in April 2008 after 54 years of marriage. He is survived by his daughter Ruth Becker Lubbers and her husband Robert Lubbers, of Milford CT, his daughter Susan Alagna and her husband John Alagna and granddaughter Olivia Grace Alagna of Mastic NY.  George is survived as well by his second wife, H. Audrey Eisser of Manhasset.